More Than a Drawing
Connecting to Children’s Inner World Through Art
As soon as I opened the door to my friends’ home, her daughter came running towards me, eager to show the drawings she had made at her school. It was a new friendship for both of us. Months earlier, she barely spoke to me. So what changed in these months? Well, she recently learned that I am an artist. Our mutual interest in art became more than a creative activity. The little girl who once avoided conversation suddenly had a lot to say. Her drawings became a bridge between us, something that words could never achieve.
In that moment, I realized she wasn’t just showing me her drawing notebooks; she was inviting me into her world.
Photo: Srilekha Yarrapalem
For me, as an amateur artist, drawing was always about an outlet for creative and emotional growth. However, in recent years, I have learned that it can be an excellent way to communicate or connect with someone when words are not enough. Children, especially, often express themselves when they have paper and crayons in hand long before they learn to read or write.
However, a kid’s drawing doesn’t have to just be a drawing. Rather, it can be a story, a memory, or a dream manifested on paper through pastel colors. Displaying children’s artwork on a fridge or a wall shows them their creativity is valued, encouraging them to keep learning. Even when adults start a conversation around it, asking them about their drawing, listening to a child’s explanation, or better still, creating alongside them strengthens emotional bonds and builds trust and understanding.
I still remember the drawings I made as a child, a house in the hills, a winding river, baskets of fruits, and gardens filled with trees. Although the drawings themselves are long gone, the memories attached to them remain. Many children’s drawings meet a similar fate, tucked away in boxes or eventually discarded. Preserving these creations allows us to revisit these moments. Got kids’ art stashed away at home? Consider giving it a home in our archives. It’s one way to make sure our children’s voices can continue long after the colors are put away.
