"Look Ma, No Mess" -- How to Preserve your Kids' Artwork

When you enter your kids' room, do you open to a room filled not only with toys laying on the floor but of papers filled with your their drawings? How about when you open your favorite notebook or notepad, do you see some pages drawn with cars, stick figure people, flowers or house? How about when taking a break from studying and you find them scribbling something on the top pages of their books? If you answered yes to all these questions, then probably just like me, you have a budding artist at home.

Our eldest son who turned eight last week, LOVES (I could not emphasize it more) to draw.  He would spend most of his time drawing all types of vehicles, from bulldozers to race cars but his favorite would be sketching classic cars.  Recently, I discovered that he is interested in doing still life sketches too as I saw a few ones one Sunday afternoon.  His younger sister, who is 4 years old, seems to have be  following her brother's love for doodling.  I would also find her slumped on the bedroom floor drawing her favorite potato head people, flowers, houses and princesses alongside her brother.

[caption id="attachment_45" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Coby's still life"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_46" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="cars with parts"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_47" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="the cowboys and indiana jones"][/caption]

So when I move around the house, it would be impossible not to spot sheets of paper everywhere (I mean everywhere) and even some taped on the walls.  I get overwhelmed at times by the "mess" so my husband and I thought of a way to keep these precious artwork and at the same time teach the kids to be responsible and neat.

First, for the older kids (6 above) remind them to put dates on their drawings or paintings.  This would allow you to see their progress and would encourage them to see how much they have improved in their skills.  But for the younger ones, moms take charge of putting the dates on their work.  Also, let them write their names always on the finished artwork, just like how real artists sign their work.

Second, scout for used clear folders around the house as you might have a few tucked away somewhere.  Let's make use of what we have first before buying new ones.  Label these folders with your kids' names making sure the names are big enough for them to see or you can even ask them to do the labeling themselves.  If you don't have used ones, grab some at the bookstore and get the long clear folders to fit bigger sizes of paper as well.

Third, pick only the best drawings.  You do not have to put everything in their portfolio.  For our son whose favorite subject is cars, I would choose those with more details like an upgrade on the fender or if used a combination of different colors.  For the little ones, choose ones which tell a story.  Most of the time kids' drawings tell a story like a princess picking flowers in the garden or a family of potato heads hugging each other.  I would also include those artwork showcasing her coloring skills like coloring inside the lines.

[caption id="attachment_48" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="jianne and mama hugging"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_50" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="jianne's house"][/caption]



Lastly, we would the kids where we put their drawings when they are finished.  Parents need to model it first so that kids would follow and little by little they would develop the habit. Not only are they learning responsibility and neatness but they also help mom clean up.