How to Incorporate Arts and Creativity in Unschooling: A Parent’s Guide

Struggling to keep creativity alive in your unschooling approach?

Here’s the thing—incorporating arts and creativity in unschooling can be simple and impactful. When we allow kids to explore creatively, they learn beyond traditional academics.

Practical Tips for Parents to Support Creative Growth in Unschooling

As parents, it’s on us to model creativity and create an environment that celebrates discovery.

Here’s how you can support creativity every day:

• Join Them in Art Projects - Kids love when we’re involved. Set aside time to paint or sketch together. They’ll see that art isn’t just for kids; it’s a life skill.
• Encourage Mini Art Projects - Start small. Encourage kids to draw, make simple crafts, or design projects on their own terms. They’ll gain confidence and independence.
• Provide a Mix of Supplies - Offer both traditional art supplies like crayons and digital tools like Procreate. This way, they can explore both hands-on and tech-based creativity.
• Incorporate Everyday Objects - Give kids recycled materials to create with. They’ll learn to make art out of anything, boosting both creativity and problem-solving.

These small steps can make a big difference in incorporating arts and creativity in unschooling—it’s about helping them find their own style.

Using Digital Tools to Inspire Creativity

Digital tools are an excellent addition to unschooling. They keep kids engaged while teaching them valuable skills.

Consider these tools to bring art to life digitally:

• Procreate - Ideal for digital drawing, this app is great for kids who want to try sketching without paper.
• Tayasui Sketches - Easy to use, it’s perfect for younger kids to experiment with color and design.
• Photography Apps - Let kids explore photography as art. Take photos, edit them, and make a story out of their favorite images.

With these digital resources, incorporating arts and creativity in unschooling can fit into everyday learning, keeping things fresh and fun.

Storytelling Through Art

Encourage your kids to tell their own stories through their creations. Here’s how:

• Create Character Art - Let them draw or paint characters from their favorite books. This boosts comprehension and creativity.
• Use Art Journals - Get a simple sketchbook and let them add whatever they want. They can draw, paint, or use stickers to create a story.
• Combine Writing and Art - Encourage kids to write stories alongside their artwork. This can help with both storytelling and creative expression.

Using art as a storytelling tool helps kids connect to their work emotionally, making incorporating arts and creativity in unschooling a key part of their self-expression.

Integrating Arts in Science, Math, and Everyday Life

Art isn’t just for “art time.” You can blend it into all subjects, making learning more holistic.

Ways to combine art with other subjects:

• Science Projects - Create visual science projects. Draw the life cycle of a butterfly or the water cycle. They’ll grasp concepts better.
• Math in Art - Try projects that include shapes, patterns, or symmetry. Use blocks or tangrams to create designs, connecting art with math.
• Everyday Art - Use food, nature, or even household items to make art. Let them build with blocks, draw on a chalkboard, or create collages with leaves.

By bringing creativity into every aspect of learning, you’re truly incorporating arts and creativity in unschooling.

Art for Social and Emotional Learning

Art offers a healthy way for kids to understand their emotions, making it essential in unschooling.

Here’s how to use art for social-emotional growth:

• Emotion-Based Art - Ask your child to draw their feelings. They can use colors to represent how they’re feeling that day.
• Group Projects - If you unschool with other families, create group projects. Kids learn collaboration and communication through shared art.
• Reflective Art Journaling - Encourage your child to journal with art at the end of each week. They can reflect on what they learned or felt.

With art supporting emotional growth, you’re incorporating arts and creativity in unschooling in a truly meaningful way.