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Therapy comes in many forms. But art is one that some may not consider. Art allows for a freedom of expression without using words. Pictures, they say are worth a thousand words, and for those children who are scared, or the elderly who have trouble articulating their concerns, fears, or emotions, art is a vital form of communication for them.
Children are naturally artistic. They like to create and they enjoy making their imaginations come to life. Over time, some of that is pushed down by society and the demands of growing up. Some children are also singled out as being ‘not good enough’ in things like painting, drawing, singing, or dancing. These children might really enjoy these activities, but because they can’t do them on a competitive level they’re no longer encouraged to participate. That’s unfortunate, but it’s the way that much of society operates. There are some people, though, who don’t work this way. These people are teachers, and they encourage all of their kids to paint, draw, and let their imaginations grow.
Depending on the age of the child, teaching kids to paint and draw can be difficult or relatively easy. Younger children aren’t going to take instruction and follow directions as well as older children. That doesn’t mean they can’t be taught, though. They are often more creative, and will think outside of the box more easily. A good teacher sees that and knows how to work with it, instead of trying to get the children to conform to the way things ‘should’ be done. Older children generally need more encouragement to be free with their imaginations.
The elderly are a different story. Art can be used not only as a way to keep their mind thinking, but a way to continue to use motor skills they otherwise wouldn’t use. Those who are in an assisted living facility might have art therapy programmed into their day as a form of treatment or therapy. Especially those who can’t move as well as they used to, art is an immobile use of their time. Patients who can’t talk, are on a breathing machine, or paralyzed can use art as a form of communication in order to get what they need. Art can also be used as a way to recall memories.
If you like to draw and paint, and you’re good at helping others, teaching children can be a very rewarding thing to do. Most teachers aren’t getting rich, and they do a lot of work for the pay that they receive. The rewards that they get can’t really be measured financially, though. Their rewards are more about the creativity that they see blossoming in the children that they teach. They can help bring confidence to children who didn’t feel that they were very good at anything, and that’s a lifetime reward for both the teacher and the child.