Art is an enriching wonderful part of the learning experience. You can easily use art to help enrich a topic or keep your child’s hands busy while you read aloud to them. There is an amazing amount of lessons and examples online for you to choose from. What if your child is struggling with the concept of art? Simply holding the paint brush or crayons is a defensive nightmare. Here are my top tips to getting over sensory issues and helping your child to create beautiful art.
I am blessed with 5 kids all with sensory issues, 4 are on the autism spectrum. There are a few key points I have found that cause us problems. AND here are a tips to get over those problems!
- The blank page. Start with printable pages from online that are in the style you are trying to teach your child. Then see if they can recreate the page on a blank page. If they struggle then have fun and sit down next to them and you start the drawing.
- The feel of the crayon, chalk, pastel, etc. The feel and strength needed to draw differs greatly from medium to medium. If your child has low tone or lacking fine motor skills you will want to use a softer medium like a pastel. Crayons can work better for those children that push hard on the paper. Any of them can cause issues to how they ‘feel’ on your child’s finger tips. Using non latex gloves is a great way to give your child a buffer.
- When to stop. Many kids don’t know when to stop or how to stop. When your child is starting their drawing have them verbally tell you what they are drawing. That helps solidify the subject of the drawing. Then when you see they are almost done or what you would consider done. Have your child take a break. Have them get up and walk around. The action of moving and then coming back to the drawing could help them naturally end their drawing.
Bonus ideas! Create no fail art projects. Handprint and footprint art. Also this fun Fall Art Project (written directions and a video beware lots of giggles are included) the whole family participated. It was super easy and a no fail wall art project.
Don’t let art fall by the way side because of sensory issues. You can overcome and create great art with your child!
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