I've noticed my son can draw pretty good for a 6 year old. He uses alot of detail when drawing as well.?

Question

His school offers a 8 week after school drawing program that I don't mind paying 87.00 for him to attend. He has not expressed any interest in the program because none of his friends are in the drawing class. He wants me to instead pay for him to go to the chess club because his friends go to the chess club. What should I do? I think I see some hidden talent but is it mean to make him go even if he doesn't want to? I figured he's too young to see the big picture and maybe he will thank me later.

Answer 1

That's a toughie. I'd have to vote for the chess club, if for some reason the choices are mutually exclusive, and use the money instead to be sure he has plenty of art materials at hand (sketch books, pencils, chalk, etc.) And take him to an art museum whenever you can.

I'm sure he'd make just as many friends at the art class, but so many kids his age lose their creativity for some reason, and I just wouldn't take the chance that the class would more likely try to teach him techniques that he's not ready for and thus dampen his interest than actually develop what talent he has. Just because they call it a program and charge tuition doesn't mean they know what they're doing.

Answer 2

He's very young at this point, so putting off art lessons aren't going to cripple him for life in the path of being an artist. It's not like chess isn't another equally great activity! Be grateful that he wants to do that, instead of just your average run around in the playground type of after school program. I say, you let him. Plus, even art schools want well-rounded kids!

You can still encourage drawing and art when at home, because honestly, art programs at that level aren't going to be doing much that you couldn't do with him at home. Do an Amazon search for 'drawing with children', and you'll find loads of books with great actvities that can help you help him.

If he really wants to be an artist, he'll start following the path by himself soon enough - and there are lots of amazing programs for kids middle school onward.

Answer 3

If he has talent he will discover it sooner or later on his own. Just always make sure he has all the things he needs when his creative juices flow (paper, pens, pencils, even paint) and by all means give him praise when he shows off his talent. I wouldn't force him to ANY kind of class he'll just resent it and push that talent to the back burner, who knows you may give him some kind of complex. I'm not psychologist or anything, but I think I can draw fairly well, I never did anything with it because my grandmother always told me that artist never really could provide a living for a family. So now, when the mood strikes me I'll draw something for the heck of it and that's good enough for me... You'll do fine dad !! :)

Answer 4

i think it's best for the child to experiment on his own terms. If he only goes to chess because his friends are going, then that's a lame excuse for not attending an art program. He wouldn't know what would be there for him in the art program. If I were you, I would do both, first the Chess, just to see if he enjoys the place (like actual game play of the board game as oppose being there with his friends). Allowing a very young child into an art program will EXCEPTIONALLY improve his overall skills later on in life. I'm an artist myself, very talented, but wasn't talented enough as a child (I never had any outside-of-school programs for art, which is one of the reasons for my late bloom in my surprising gift). I suggest that your son will love art. If he's drawing exceptionally well at his age, who knows where he will become later on in his life, he might as well be the next Leonardo da Vinci if I may add. He will make many friends in his art program, because friends at his age are weak-linked, meaning they can break easily and you either forget about them when you enter into highschool or college/uni.... Just so you know, friends don't last forever.... But new friends are always welcome at your doorstep, so go risk for the Chess part, but later on, get him out of it if he shows the slightest disproval... and shove him into the art program, hah, a bit forceful, but it would be good and highly potential later on in his life.

Answer 5

Personally, I think you should let your son do the activity he wants to do. The reason being, if you put him in a program that he doesn't want to be in he might not even take advantage of being there. Maybe in a couple of years he might realize how good he is in drawing and will want to pursue that- I don't think you should pressure him into it. But it sounds like he is a very talented boy!!

Answer 6

I don't think you should pressure him to go to an art class at such a young age because he may not apply himself. He is still young and you can always keep encouraging his drawing and let him know how proud you are of him. If he wants to go to the chess club then let him go, he will still do his art. I don't think that artists work well under pressure and you should let him nurture his talent at a natural pace. I wish him all the best with his talent.

Answer 7

if he's into chess - its a great way to encourage problem solving in kids so encourage it. maybe you can give him the drawing lessons next month or in the springtime? or maybe there is a tutor or some outside class he can go to that won't conflict. he's only 6 - plenty of time to encourage both chess and art. :) in the meantime - try drawing with him at home, and encouraging him that way. stuff kids can do with their parents that isn't watching tv, etc is great!

Answer 8

at his age it is important that he make his own decisions and learn from his own mistakes, so go for the chess club......having said that though, i do not think that there is anything wrong with explaining to him why you feel that the art classes would be better for him....might help in his decision....i would also add that it is important that once you join something you are part of a "team" and that you must see it through to the end as others are counting on you. i hope that whatever you son decides he has fun with it and enjoys his club/class!!!

Answer 9

take that example for me im pretty good at drawing and also in chess, as i remember i start drawing at age 3 but i only draw every once in a year throughout my present age (20's). eventhough i only draw once in a year im still good, i imagine myself what if i draw every week maybe im one of the best artist in the world today, now im my 20"'s i start to learn to draw again.i know its too late but i really love to draw, im reading books on how to draw for a month now and when i draw, its really unbelievable coz i draw like a master, its like i know every single technique. i feel like my hands have some hidden magic when it comes to drawing. i start playing chess at age 12 and i think its too late also. when i was 13 (just after a year) i already a champion in our school, i beat higher years student, at 14 im a champion again until i finish high school at 16 i was the champion in our school, but as i go to college i stop playing until now. i dont play chess anymore, i dont know why?, maybe because i dont have friends to motivate me or encourage me, my parent dont do nothing, they just give you money for school and goodluck for your life. i think the best thing you can do to your child is to let him play both at that age, because at that age children are learning so fast, they will learn new technique, strategies, etc and the most important is encourage him, support him, motivate him, you must always there if he has problems, dont let him be like me, i will assure you someday you will be proud of him, goodluck and godbless.

Answer 10

i wud suggest that u let him do both! if he wants to go to chess club its good for him.. he'll be with his frends n chess is an intelligent game.. will develop his brain..
n tell him to go to the drawing program too.. that way both are happy :)