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Original poster

What should I do now I know my son can actually draw?

27 replies

ButterfliesAreWeird · 25/11/2017 21:20

Earlier my son drew this picture. I was shocked because he's never really drawn before, he writes and scribbled when asked to but that's it. I assumed he couldn't draw but I wasn't too fussed. But I guess he's been able to just not bothered to? Should I be trying to get him to draw more now i know he can or just leave it? He's just turned 4 if that makes a difference. He's not that creative either

What should I do now I know my son can actually draw?
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GandTforme · 26/11/2017 07:14

Why don't you just leave some paper/pencils lying around, then if he wants to draw he can...

hevonbu · 26/11/2017 07:19

A set of coloured crayons and a roll of paper is probably the right way to go? And one of those blackboards for children? The blackboard might be an appreciated Christmas present...

Obviously he has some talent, I see a typical British two-storey house, a possible campervan, and perhaps mum (with a lot of hair) in front of the house.

OhFucko · 26/11/2017 07:20

Alert the press?

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OhFucko · 26/11/2017 07:20

Sorry Grin

hevonbu · 26/11/2017 07:26

Don't forget that it's now mandatory for you, as a mum, to bring the picture to the office and pin it to the wall by your desk... Wink

waterrat · 26/11/2017 08:19

Blimey he is 4 how would you know he isnt creative? Hes only just started in life! Buy him pens and paper and let him at them!

Ecureuil · 26/11/2017 08:22

Give him paper and pencils?
DD1 is just 4 and has free access to paper and coloured pencils in the play room. Sometimes she draws actual things, sometimes she writes her name over and over and sometimes asks me to draw things that she can colour in.

Ecureuil · 26/11/2017 08:22

But I agree with the poster above... at just 4, how do you know he isn’t creative?

NovemberWitch · 26/11/2017 08:26

What do you think you should do?
Give him materials to experiment with?
Ignore it and let school/nursery deal with it.
Hothouse his budding talent until it withers?

Ecureuil · 26/11/2017 08:33

I’m a bit confused about the question to be honest... what do you think you could be doing?

Homebird8 · 26/11/2017 08:35

DS1 drew one picture (a birds eye view of a tricycle) aged four. He never did it again. Supply paper, pens, crayons, paint, mud and a stick. See if it happens again. In our case it didn't. Have fun and accept whatever you get.

Original poster
ButterfliesAreWeird · 26/11/2017 10:13

He has everything around but this is the first time he's drawn something. So you don't think I should be encouraging him? By 4 you can definitely the if they are creative or not. He's the type to go look for bugs in the forest rather than play magical fairys.

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Ecureuil · 26/11/2017 10:15

You encourage him by giving him paper and pencils... what else would you do?

Ecureuil · 26/11/2017 10:16

My 4 year old loves looking for bugs and making mud cakes, and pretending to be a unicorn/fairy! No idea where her talents lie yet.

QuitMoaning · 26/11/2017 10:21

My son never showed any interest in fairies and was out climbing trees and build dens when young.

He got an A* in graphic design and was begged by the teacher to continue his study at uni. (He didn’t, he is doing Computer Studies). His art teacher tried to stop him dropping the subject at GCSE as he allegedly had talent.

Being creative and liking bugs/mud/climbing trees are not mutually exclusive.
Give him the tools and let him explore his creativity without any expectations.

ScreamingValenta · 26/11/2017 10:31

It's a great picture, especially the detail in the van. Have you put it up somewhere - seeing it displayed might encourage him to draw more pictures?

Original poster
ButterfliesAreWeird · 26/11/2017 18:30

That example was just to get the point across. Should I pin it up infront of his desk, I hadn't thought that might encourage him?

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Original poster
ButterfliesAreWeird · 26/11/2017 18:32

Oh and that thing at the bottom is apparently the sun but it's already set because it's bed time

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Homebird8 · 27/11/2017 04:24

So you don't think I should be encouraging him?

I think there are horse for courses. As long as he has materials and opportunity and an encouraging reaction to his drawing without making him feel that you expect him to draw you'll be doing fine. He may start to enjoy it and do it again. He may not. By the time he's a teenager nobody will care either way. He may have explored and developed other talents.

famousfour · 27/11/2017 04:32

I'm not sure I understand the question. Give him paper and colouring pens? Sit and draw with him?

Ecureuil · 27/11/2017 09:40

Do you think he has the potential to be gifted in drawing?

Trailedanderror · 27/11/2017 09:53

Definitely display it and ensure he has access to drawing supplies.

randomer · 27/11/2017 09:58

Tell the national gallery

Original poster
ButterfliesAreWeird · 27/11/2017 19:22

What?

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Trailedanderror · 27/11/2017 20:02

There were some nasty replies and I was tempted to pile in, but reckoned it'd be adding 🔥
Display the picture where he can see it. You're a lovely mum.