For parents and teachers
Drawing guides for grown-ups
Short, practical guides for the questions parents, teachers and club leaders ask about kids and drawing, each linked to free pages you can print today.
For parentsIs tracing cheating? Why trace-then-color builds real drawing skillTracing is how many artists started. Here is what it teaches and how to help kids move from tracing to their own drawings.For teachersGrid drawing through history: from ancient Egypt to today’s classroomsCopying a drawing one square at a time is one of the oldest tricks in art. Here is where it came from and why it works so well in the classroom.For parents and teachersWhat to do when a kid says “I can’t draw”It is rarely about drawing. Here are eight gentle ways to help a frustrated child pick the pencil back up.For parents and teachersHow to praise a child’s drawing: 20 phrases that build confidenceSwap “good job” for words that show you really looked. Twenty phrases, sorted into four kinds, and a few to avoid.Buying guideThe best art supplies for kids, by ageYou don’t need a giant kit. Here is what works at each age, from first scribbles to comic-book inking.For club leaders and librariansAfter-school art club in 8 weeks: a session-by-session planEight one-hour sessions with a warm-up game, a free lesson, a choice activity and sharing time. No art experience needed to lead it.For parentsSummer drawing camp at home: a 5-day scheduleFive themed days, about two hours each: a warm-up, two free lessons, a bigger project and a show at the end of the week.
More for grown-ups: the teacher resources, no-prep sub plans, the lesson plan builder, the 12-week homeschool art planner, the 36-week homeschool curriculum and drawing tips. Planning a birthday? See party favors for kids by theme.