Bring art learning Beyond the Art Room! Art is being removed from classrooms but the need for creative thinkers is at it’s all time highest! Learning about art, how it’s made it, and giving it a try ourselves changes how kids observe the world and think about art. You don’t have to be an art teacher to bring art into your lessons or nurture your creative child or student. Use these terms to guide, inspire, and navigate conversations with students about their art and how to evaluate what they see.
Medium: This is very simple term to incorperate in almost any age group. Medium simply means, what materials and tools are being used. Pencil, scrap paper, markers, crayons and tempera paint – these are mediums. Ask your students what medium they are using repeativitly to help them learn this one.
Style: This word that can be used to describe or celebrate differences in artwork and even subject matter. This word allows us to not only to describe all the different types of art in the world but also encourages personal and evolving expression. A teacher might respond to artwork in a book and say, “this is a cartoon style.” Or if a student shares their art, a parent can comment on their style especially if they explore different styles, like abstract artwork.
Sketch: This is a crucial and over looked term. Sketches are ideas on paper. They can be rough, polished, it can even include writing, it can be in any medium. Before a piece of artwork is created, it is planned out through visualizing through sketches. These ideas can evolved and most importantly, aren’t set in stone.
Nimble fingers make nimble minds. – Freude Waldorf
Subject: This term in art means simply what the artwork is of. If the painting is of a dog and a barn, the dog and the barn are the subjects. There can be many subjects in a picture but many people used this term to talk about the main subject in the picture. You can ask children, what is the subject your drawing? What subject would you like to paint? This can be useful when asking a child to explain what’s “in” their picture or what their picture is “of.” When used this can make conversations less confusing. Parents can also comment about the subject: “That’s a beautiful subject.” It encourages students that art is more than how it is drawn – but the start of conversations about the meaning of their pictures.
Realistic: This word describes artwork style that depicts subjects to look how they look in life. Kids see this as the gold standard for “good art.” In fact, when young artists realize their art doesn’t look “realistic” it’s then when they stop enjoying drawing. Drawing realistically is a skill that can be built, but it is not the gold standard in the art world. Drawing realistically is just one way of creating something. Using the word realistic instead of “good” is critical way to get kids to keep creating. If a student compares themselves, calling a realistic artwork “better” this is an excellent word to bring to the vocabulary.
Symbol: In artworks, there is an underlying meaning to the subject or how it was created. I like teaching kids about symbolism because it becomes an opportunity for them to express themselves in a way they haven’t been able to before. When I created a Horse Named Sky illustrations I used pastel as a way to emphasize the scenery of the dry, gritty west. This is an example of a symbol in the medium I’m using.
Many parents or teachers with kids who love art ask me what they can do to nurture their artist and these terms are a great way to think about art. A resilient mind is an important trait for anyone pursuing creativity. Yes, even more important than the brand of pencils and paper you buy! These terms help us talk about making art as a skill that can be built over many years rather than a talent they have or don’t.
By weaving these simple art terms into everyday learning, you empower children to think creatively, communicate their ideas, and develop a healthy relationship with the artistic process. You don’t need an art degree—just a willingness to explore, ask questions, and celebrate the many ways children express themselves. When we give young artists the vocabulary to talk about their work, we give them permission to grow, experiment, and discover their own voice. Bringing art into your lessons, your home, or your classroom is more than a skill-building exercise—it’s an invitation for kids to see the world with curiosity, courage, and joy.