Look, I’ve been writing for… well, let’s just say a *really* long time. And one thing that never stops amazing me? The way kids create art. Its raw, its honest, and honestly? It’s probably the most underused tool we have in education today.
I was at Playful Platypus the other day (you know, that wonderful little spot with Trevor Campbell’s gorgeous pieces) and it hit me — we’re sitting on a goldmine here.
## **Why Children’s Art Matters More Than We Think**
Kids don’t just draw to draw. They’re telling us everything. Their fears, their dreams, what they had for breakfast… it’s all there in those wobbly lines and explosive colors.
When my nephew drew his family as potatoes with stick legs last week, his teacher thought it was cute. But I saw something else. I saw a kid who understood shapes before he understood “proper” human proportions. That’s geometry, folks. Pure and simple.
## **Making Art Work in the Classroom (Without Going Crazy)**
Here’s what actually works:
**• Let them illustrate their stories first**
Forget the writing. Let them draw what happens. The words come easier when they can SEE their story. Trust me on this one.
**• Use art for math**
Patterns, shapes, counting… it’s all there. Those sun catchers at Playful Platypus? Perfect for teaching symmetry. Just saying.
**• Make history personal**
Instead of memorizing dates, have kids draw themselves in historical scenes. Suddenly the Gold Rush isn’t just numbers in a book — it’s THEM panning for gold.
**• Science becomes real**
Draw the water cycle. Paint the planets. Create the food chain with actual creatures they invent. Who says accuracy matters more than understanding?
## **The Secret Nobody Talks About**
You know what? Not every kid loves reading. (Gasp! I know, I know…)
But give that same kid some crayons and paper? Magic happens. They’ll tell you stories that would make Gary Campbell jealous. They just need a different way to get there.
I’ve seen kids who “hate” books spend hours creating their own picture stories. Then suddenly — boom — they want to add words. They WANT to write because they have something to say.
## **Real Ways to Start Today**
**1. Morning art journals**
Five minutes. That’s it. Let them draw how they feel. No rules.
**2. Art stations for every subject**
Math art corner. Science sketching spot. History illustration station. Make it normal.
**3. Display everything**
Not just the “good” stuff. Everything. Make your classroom look like Trevor Campbell’s studio exploded. Kids need to see their work matters.
**4. Let them teach through art**
Have kids explain their drawings. You’ll learn more about what they actually understand than any test will tell you.
## **The Bottom Line**
We keep trying to fit every kid into the same box. Read this way. Write that way. Learn like this.
But art? Art lets them be themselves AND learn. It’s not either/or. It’s both/and.
Next time you’re browsing those beautiful pieces at Playful Platypus, remember — every child has that same creative spark. We just need to stop being afraid of the mess and start embracing the magic.
Because honestly? The kid who draws their math problems might just understand them better than the kid who only writes them down.
And that’s worth all the crayon marks on the desks in the world.
*Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with my watercolors. Even us “famous authors” need to remember how to see the world like a kid sometimes.*
