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Ten Ways for Parents to Encourage Young Artists > We plan to add a list of fun links, so if you have favorite link to a student-friendly art website, send it to YAMinTN@gmail.com. > > But wait! We can't stop at just 10!
 * 1) Provide your young artist with a sketchbook and a variety drawing materials. A good eraser and a handheld sharpener are important tools, too!
 * 2) Encourage your student artist to draw when he or she expresses boredom or is watching excessive tv or spending too much time playing video games. Encourage children to draw from both experience (what they see and do) and imagination.
 * 3) Have your child tell you about their artwork. Ask questions about the techniques and materials used, and about the choices they made. Let them know what you enjoy about their work.
 * 4) Encourage your student artist to create greeting cards for holidays and birthdays. Or, choose a favorite artwork created by your child and have it produced onto notecards and greeting cards.
 * 5) Discuss artworks by other artists with your child. Encourage them to verbalize what appeals—or doesn’t appeal—to them about certain artworks, and why. Discuss with them things they might ask or express if he or she could meet the artist. (For example, “What would you say to Picasso about this piece if he were here right now?”)
 * 6) Ask your child what he or she is doing and learning in Art class. Let them teach you something about art!
 * 7) Take your child to art museums, art galleries, and arts events (such as First Friday Art Walks that are held in many communities) as often as possible.
 * 8) Give your child opportunities to meet and converse with local artists.
 * 9) Enroll your child in community art classes and workshops or summer art camps.
 * 10) Explore online art resources with your student artist—many museums offer games and activities on their websites.
 * 1) When you visit your local library, check out books about artists and art movements to help your child establish a sense of art history and the vast array of art styles that have developed over the course of time.
 * 2) Frame your child’s best artwork and create a gallery in your home.
 * 3) Photograph your childs artwork and help him or her to establish an online gallery that can be shared with family and friends.

For a 2-page color document that covers these tips, plus ten more on how citizens can support art education, click here: