You’ve heard that kids need follow-along instructions to make art.
Let’s say you’re drawing a rainbow.
First, red at the top.
Then add orange.
Now yellow…
This format feels helpful. It’s structured. Safe.
But here’s what actually happens:
Kids learn to follow, not create.
They wait for the next instruction instead of making decisions.
And when there’s no instruction? They don’t know what to do.
They freeze.
Because they haven’t practiced thinking about art on their own.
This kind of rigid, follow-along instruction can kill the very thing we’re trying to build…
Try setting up materials with zero (or fewer!) instructions.
Just put out rainbow-color paint or crayons and say, “I wonder what you can create with these materials.”
It may be uncomfortable at first—for you and for them. But that’s where creativity lives.
Start with one art session this week. Fewer instructions. More wondering. See what happens.
Want more process art ideas? See A Complete Guide to Process Art for Kids.
nice post