As children, life is a playground, imagination rules, and laughter is the soundtrack of our days. As an art educator who has worked with thousands of children and adults, I can’t help but notice that somewhere along the path to adulthood, it’s common for crayons to get traded in for spreadsheets. Sandboxes get swapped for boardrooms, and the demands of life, the pressure to perform, and the mind-numbing hum of productivity muffles the joyful melodies of our souls.
Even for myself, as I juggled the demands of motherhood, entrepreneurship, and a deep-rooted desire to create, I found myself on the brink of exhaustion. During one transformational season, the laughter that once filled my home was replaced by a quiet desperation. It was then that I realized the importance of continuing to come back to childlike wonder, playfulness, and faith.
Let’s talk about how to bring back the magic.
As an artist, I've found that one of the most powerful tools in my creative arsenal isn't a brush, a canvas, or even years of technical training. It’s something we all possessed as children but often lose touch with as adults: the ability to play without inhibition. When I am making art, I always come from a playful perspective, even when creating something that has deep meaning for me.
Here’s what I have discovered child-like play allows for:
Breaking Down Barriers
When we play like children, we shed our adult preconceptions about what art (and what we ourselves) "should" be. This freedom allows us to explore without judgment, opening doors to new ideas and techniques we might never have considered otherwise.
Embracing Curiosity
Children are naturally curious. They ask "why" and "what if" without fear. By tapping into this curiosity in my art, I find myself constantly pushing boundaries and discovering new ways to express my ideas and ask hard questions.
Finding Joy in the Process
Too often, I get caught up in the end result. Child-like play reminds me that the joy is in the doing. When I approach my art with playfulness, I find more satisfaction in the creative journey itself.
Uncovering Hidden Mysteries
There is beautiful detachment and free from bias observation in a child's perspective. By tapping into this, I often uncover deeper truths and hidden mysteries in my work that my adult mind might have overlooked.
Connecting with the Divine
In my practice, play becomes a form of prayer. It's a way of connecting with God through joyful creation, and sincere authenticity, much like a child's uninhibited dance, drawing or laughter.
Try it for Yourself
Spend some time with a child you know. Play a game, make some art, or just listen to their stories. Use this time as a way to not only lift up and encourage the next generation, but also as a reminder that sometimes, to see clearly, we need to look through the eyes of a child.
Chime in with your comments below. Do you make time for child-like playfulness in your life?
-Ronya, Founder of Redeme Studio
If you're curious about exploring this approach, consider joining The Art Room. It's a gentle space to rediscover your own child-like wonder through art.
