Art My Heart

Connecting with your heart can reveal amazing things about you and the people you care about. Art helps strengthen those connections by making it easier to understand emotions. Think back to when you were a kid and got a new coloring book and crayons. Do you remember how excited you were to pick your first color and start coloring? At the time, you probably didn’t know you were doing something that could calm your mind and help you process your feelings. You were just having fun!

Even as adults, many of us still find art relaxing. Activities like coloring, drawing, or painting give us time to think and solve problems. For example, while coloring, you might think about how to handle a tough situation or how to talk to someone kindly about a problem. Art gives you a safe space to understand your feelings and think clearly.

When we do something we love, we open our minds to new ideas and understanding. The same is true for children. When we encourage kids to do something they enjoy, their brains become open to learning and growth. They also feel a sense of connection and trust with us, making them more likely to share their emotions as they grow older.

I remember when my oldest son was in high school, we would often play the piano together. Looking back, those are some of my fondest memories. At the time, it was a way for us to connect. He felt emotionally safe and could talk to me when he needed to. For us, music was the art therapy that worked. Even now, we still enjoy making music together when we get the chance.

Take a moment to think about what kind of art you and your child could enjoy together. Whether it’s painting, drawing, music, cooking or another creative activity, it can become a meaningful way to connect and grow together.