There are a few parents out there who think that teaching kids how to paint could be a waste of time. They think that skills that do not reflect on your kid academically, should not be pursued, but that is the furthest from the truth. It is important that skill such as painting, even if your child may not have an aptitude for painting, indulging in it has a great number of advantages.

There are a few things that you should know about this exercise as there is a lot that is lost to the eye when a child is learning how to paint.

Assists Brain Development
Yes, creative activities like painting assist tremendously with brain development. In a typical school environment only the left side of the brain is exercised that is the part that is responsible for analytical processes. The right side of the brain is the creative side of the brain that involves emotional perception and intuition. Painting and other creative activities help the right side of the brain to develop too.

Open Mind
Kids who paint often, learn how to think creatively and with an open mind.

Expression
Since they are expressing themselves constantly with paints, they are more attuned to expressing themselves, for this they may do with or without the use of words.

Critical Thinking
Painting is a personal experience and a lot of decisions that have to be taken regarding color, brush and strokes are taken by the kids themselves, this allows them to develop the skill of critical thinking.

Pride
When you create something that looks beautiful, it can instill you with pride. It bestows them with confidence and gives them a strong foundation to set their life on.

Learning Challenges
Many kids today may have learning disabilities they can find a trade off by complementing their intelligence with creative activities like painting and excel in them.

Interaction
At the learning stage, interaction with other children and their teachers benefits their social skills in the long-term.

Stress Release
While kids may not realize it, painting provides them an avenue for stress release and they can grow up to be more peaceful individuals.

Therapy
Kids who do not talk a lot and are not very social, can use this platform to express their feelings.

Appreciation for the Finer Things
Kids who learn how to paint, tend to develop an interest for the finer things in life and learn to appreciate them.

It’s not about the mess that is created, it’s not about the clothes that are ruined or the hours spent trying to get the stains off the carpet, it’s about letting your child fly and develop a whole new side of his or her personality.

Speak with a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and you will learn that there are foods too that you can include in your diet that help with your child’s creative development. A homeopath too could help you attune your child to his creative side.