International Dot Day…Self-Esteem Through Artistic Expression
Raise your hand if you think you can draw.
If you didn’t raise your hand, you are like most of us…our inner artist has been discouraged and hammered down.
How does this happen? A parent says, “No, the grass should be green!” The teacher says, “That’s not how a dog looks!” A fellow classmate says, “You can’t draw!”
In 2003, Peter Reynolds wrote and illustrated a book that encouraged children of all ages to be to imagine, dream and create. His premise was that there is no right or wrong way.
This week over 500,000 children in all 50 states and around the world will be participating in International Dot Day, in their classrooms or at home.
Visit http://www.thedotclub.org/dotday/ to learn more about International Dot Day. You will find activity suggestions, resources, a global map showing participants…you can even take a look at the dots being created by celebrities.
As parents and as teachers, we can
- Encourage our children to enjoy all types of art mediums…paint, clay, paper cutting, drawing and sculpting.
- Provide the materials and participate with our kids.
- Make thoughtful, but non-judgmental comments about our children’s art.
- Proudly display the art our children produce.
Creative expression is art in its purest form.
If you allow yourself to have fun with art, so will your children.
During my time in New Hampshire, my almost four-year old grandson became fascinated with Cheerios. We had a Cheerios Halloween Board Book that called for using Cheerios on different pages to fill in missing buttons, eyeglasses, etc. Jeremy had a ball…placing Cheerios in the “proper” places…and then eating each one! Here’s his International Dot Day dot picture.
Related articles
- The Dot – International Dot Day (childrensbooksheal.com)
- International Dot Day – Sept. 15, 2012 (childrensbooksheal.com)
- Come Celebrate International Dot Day with Us – September 15, 2012 (angelamaiers.com)
- International Dot Day – 4′s Class (swsharrington.wordpress.com)
- Art Therapy and 9/11 (schoolpsychscholar.com)
Posted on September 15, 2012, in Art for Children, International Dot Day, self-esteem and tagged Art, Child art, International Dot Day, Peter H. Reynolds. Bookmark the permalink. 29 Comments.
This is such an important issue for so many kids. I was one of them. Love the eye at the centre of your dot, Vivian. Great to celebrate this creative day.
Thanks, Joanna…you are right…most parents and teachers don’t ‘purposely’ squash a young child’s creativity…they do it without thinking, because that’s what they heard when they were growing up or perhaps they want to encourage the child to ‘conform’ and fit in. Some may just be very controling parents…but we can all learn to take a step back and allow a child to breath, expand and express when doing art! Glad you liked my dot.
Your dot is really cool and pretty!
Thanks, Erik…you are very kind! Now I have double reading and commenting to do…for the PPBF entries and for those that did a separate one for International Dot Day.
Love your dot Vivian. Love the eye in the center. Didn’t your grandson help you?
Thanks, Pat! Jeremy decided which order for the colors…he actually did one of his own with Cheerios…which are kind of dots, I think.
It was packed away and I couldn’t find it when I posted last night…but I will add his as soon as I can. 
Cheerios are perfect. Love it. Dot Day was a big success. Had to huge events going on at the same time with Dot Day and the launch of Song of Sahel, an anthology of poetry about the crisis in Sahel, Africa.
Cool dot! Wonderful post. I was one of those kids who had her artistic leanings thwarted by various things as I grew up. Thank goodness for a friend and mentor who unleashed my creativity when I was in my late teens.
Thanks, Vivian!
You are one of the lucky ones, Beth! So many of us have missed out on decades of enjoyment and pleasure. My husband started painting about three years ago…and he absolutely loves it. He never thought of himself as artistic or creative…but his work is wonderful and it brings him great joy!
It’s important in senior centers, nursing homes and assisted living facilities, too. It’s amazing how much happier people of all ages can be with a big pad of paper, some colored pencils or crayons and encouragement!
Yup…it doesn’t take expensive gadgets to make people happy.
Thanks for stopping by, Marylin…and thanks for the comment about seniors…more art…less pills. 
Awesome dot and wonderful post, Vivian!
Thank you, Susanna…it was fun…we should all spend more time drawing and doodling.
Thank you, Susanna…I’m grateful to Pat and Beth…I learned about it from their posts. BTW, your daughter’s pony is adorable…and I LOVED your DOT!
What a fabulous idea! I wish there was something like that way back when. I got a C in high school art and I never picked up a pencil until 1994 because my art teacher said I didn’t have any talent.
And look at you now!!!!
That’s the thing…we all have so much talent…we just have to believe in ourselves…Peter Reynolds had the right idea!
How true! Meaning we have to believe in ourselves.
Yes…believing in oneself is a key ingredient in having a positive self-image. That’s why I am so passionate about encouraging parents to participate positively with their kids.
And look at you now, Tracy! You can’t keep a good woman/artist down.
Although many people don’t draw/play an instrument/sing/write…because someone in their childhood told them they weren’t very good. 
Very sad, indeed
Have a wonderful week!
Love your colourful dot Vivian, What you call cherrios we call cheezels, very cute idea. I have always loved art, especially pencil drawing.
Thanks, Diane! I’ve always loved arts and crafts…but don’t think of myself as “artistic” and definitely not an “artist”.
I love the idea of an international dot day! Brilliant, especially for folk who can only manage to draw stick people… include me in that count.
Hahaha…I am also one of those stick-figure artists.
You, Eliz, are one of my heroes when it comes to blogging positively…your posts are always so uplifitng and meaningful!
Here’s to celebrating our Inner Artist!
For some of us, that inner artist is hidden deep within, unfortunately.
But with positive feedback, the inner artist can get stronger and break out! 
International dot day? What a great idea! My boys and I did some painting on the floor this weekend, after I discovered tons of large poster board papers in the garage. The best part was admiring each other’s work when we were done.
I am always blown-away with all that you do with your boys…and your positive parental participation…you are a very special woman, Milka…and your kids are so lucky to have you for a mom.
Thanks, Vivian. I’ve been wanting to paint with the boys for a couple of weeks but they’ve been very busy building Lego. The large paper size was apparently very enticing. Whatever works!