Which Paintings to Show to Your Kids?

What kind of paintings should be shown to kids? What age appropriation would suit particular categories of art? Is it necessary to develop the culture and understanding of art for our kids?

The type of paintings that should be shown to kids depends on their age. If they’re too young, then it’s better if you just avoid showing any art at all because there is no point in engaging with something which might terrify them or disappoint them when they don’t understand what’s going on (and even though we know how much adults love looking into a finished piece later down the line).

Well, art is a form so beautiful it is meant to be passed on. That answers the last question. If not for the pure form of excellence and magnificence art portrays, it would certainly have died centuries ago.

How then are the first two questions answered? In this article, the value of art will be refreshed in our minds as well as the understanding of the kind of paintings that would suit our kids.

Kids Appropriate Paintings

Pardon all the questions, but is there such a thing as “children appropriate painting?” Well, according to the United States Convention, any child under the age of 18 is a “child.” Does that mean a child/kid of the age of 16 with a little more advancement in cognition and mental acuity should be introduced to the same form or type of art as a four-year-old? All answers to these questions will be understood naturally whilst reading, (lol).

It is only normal that with the development of children, more complex forms are relayed for their understanding. As children grow and develop, they need more complex forms in order to understand what is being said. The same applies to education, types of food they eat, types of clothes they wear, and so should art. To tackle the appropriation of art views by age, let us classify the ages into age groups.

Age groups can be categorized into this form; Toddler (within the ages 1 year -2 years); Preschooler (within the ages 2–5 years); School-aged child (within the ages 6–12 years); Adolescent (ages 13–17). Not entirely accurate, but let us work with this. This “encyclopedia” will then share paintings to show to your kids by their age group classification.

For Toddlers

For this young gorgeousness that is still learning to speak properly, and already innately, understands and identifies with your parents, something homely would be great. An ideal painting will be bright colors of a mother holding a baby; a family picture; a photo of a picnic with family and a baby; a photo of an elder sibling with a baby; and lots more. These kinds of paintings will instill the love and warmth of the family early on, and the reliance of a young child on his parents.

Family photos like this help them identify parents and good memories that early. The bright colors in this image help their cognitive reasoning as well.

For Preschoolers

The “cute-stubborn” age group is not? They already want everything and more, and cannot seem to have enough. For this age group, suitable paintings will be, paintings of their pets and/or toys; a painting of a photo of the garden and possibly with them in it; a painting of them helping mum out in the kitchen/ baking or playing soccer with dad. Typically, any painting shows their freewill and worry-free lifestyle.

This period is a very important stage in child development, and it is important to fill and preserve lots of happy and memorable events shared with family. You can also show beautiful landscapes and nature artworks like Paul Cezanne paintings. This can help them to feel nature and be in love with it.

School-aged Children

Starting to feel the social pressure (school and bullies, the cute boy/girl in school, what to wear), and starting to ask some awkward questions like “Mom, why am I a boy, and not a girl?”, this stage is another delicate one. Appropriate art form for this group would be, paintings of their favorite role model (it would be great if it is their parents, but hey, if it is not, that is also cool); favorite shows/ favorite actors in those shows; topics that peek their interests – like science, history, space, etc. artworks that depict these things or people would suit them.

This is a type of image showing a role model so children aspire to become leaders in the future and get leadership ingrained in them from the very beginning.

Adolescents

Aha! The young adults. The age where we hear words like “Mom!!! I’m not a child anymore. Aaarrgh! (then angrily slams the door).” Yes, Tracy, you are still a child (lol).

Suitable paintings for this know-it-all-s would be, a painting of their aspiration, or what they want to be in the future; a painting of a large family photo (great if grandparents are there, on a dining table, on thanksgiving or Christmas); paintings of cities and places to travel to, and so on. It is important to reinstate the family love and affection so it sticks with them for life!

Having such treasurable moments like these shared with the adolescent aged group keeps memorable moments at heart.

Conclusion

It is only reasonable for thoughts like these to come to our parents. We always want to just keep giving children the best. These age-appropriate paintings can be placed in your kids’ bedroom, in their classes, at the dining table at home, or anywhere your child frequents. You have a wealth of art options available to you, from early childhood through high school.

It is important that your child’s interests be taken into consideration when choosing an activity or class for them because this will help ensure they stay engaged with what you want!

You have been informed of the kind of art that suits your kids at all levels.