As an artist, there’s no greater joy than knowing your work has touched someone’s life, especially when that someone is a group of budding young creatives. Recently, I received a heartwarming email from Molly, a teacher at Smalls Road Public School in Ryde, who shared an incredible story about her Kinder to Year 3 students in the Support Unit, affectionately called The Echidna Hub.
Molly’s students, who live with challenges such as Autism, ADHD, Intellectual Disabilities, and more, spent their term exploring Australian art and artists. To my absolute delight, she told me that my drawings were their favourite! The class even watched the videos on my website, practicing pencil techniques and experimenting with colour in creative new ways.
Showcasing Creativity Inspired by Nature
One detail that really stood out was how excited the kids were about my echidna artwork. The idea that my little echidna brought so much joy to these young artists absolutely warms my heart! Molly also shared some of the artworks her students created, and let me just say, they are stunning! These young creatives experimented with pencil shading and textures to create pieces that are both imaginative and inspiring.
The Importance of Creativity for Kids
Hearing how my work inspired Molly’s class was a powerful reminder of the importance of fostering creativity in children. Art is more than just a fun pastime, it’s a way for kids to express themselves, improve their focus, and develop problem solving skills. For children with additional challenges, art can be a soothing outlet, a confidence builder, and a source of pride.
When kids dive into art, they’re not just making something beautiful, they’re discovering their own abilities and learning to see the world in new ways. That’s something we should all encourage, whether at home or in the classroom.
To Molly and her amazing students at The Echidna Hub, thank you for letting me be a small part of your artistic journey. Your email was the highlight of my week, and your artworks are nothing short of brilliant. Keep creating, keep exploring, and remember that your artistic voices are powerful and important.
If you're a parent or teacher, I encourage you to nurture the little artists in your life. Share your favourite Australian art with them, give them the tools to experiment, and let their imaginations run wild. Who knows? They might just create something that will inspire you!