One of my creative mentee’s is a 3 year old (now 4) named Charlotte. Charlotte loves to create. When her parents asked if they could commission Charlotte to create a painting for their home, under my guidance, I was thrilled! Her summer babysitter brought her to her session, where I had the canvas, smock and paints ready and waiting! Charlotte loves her rainbow dress and rarely wants to cover it up with a protective smock, but she obliged and we got to work. She painted, doodled, scribbled, giggled and a masterpiece was born!

I was touched by the opportunity to guide her in this, and thrilled by her creativity and passion, then over the top when I saw her pride in her work, bolstered by her parents’ pride in and validation of her work! Encouragement and validation are powerful tools in the right context and children’s art is that very context!