by Allison Luthe

Created on: April 12, 2008

Many parents know that encouraging children to be creative and express themselves through art greatly benefits their development. Parents can also help them develop good organizing skills by letting them assist in creating an organizational plan for their many masterpieces, and putting that plan into action. While it may seem insensitive or thoughtless to downsize the collection and not display every piece, you cannot use this as a measure of your support, pride or love. Keeping the artwork organized will help children understand this important principle early and allow them to enjoy and keep their work for many years.

First, begin with designating specific space for displaying the artwork out in the open. Even if you have a play room in your home, it is important to keep the artwork in a designated space to avoid clutter and to keep the items from being damaged. Choose a wall and measure out a space that will specifically serve as the art gallery. With older children, you can attach cork board or use a pre-made bulletin board to pin up the pieces. When wanting to avoid push-pins with younger children, paint a shape out of magnetic paint to frame the area and use decorative magnets to hold the pieces. You can paint a border, attach molding like a picture frame or leave it plain allowing the art work to overlap the edges.

The size of the space does not really matter. If free wall space is not available, use the back of a door, or the backside of a cabinet or bookshelf. This option keeps the art work confined into a designated space, and it can be rotated regularly. This technique can be used in the kitchen, especially to keep artwork from taking over the refrigerator. If your family insists on keeping the refrigerator doors involved, reserve this space for the newest or favorite piece.

Storing your children's art work electronically can have many benefits and applications. Perhaps your home can not accommodate a large display area, or your child produces art faster than you can rotate the old and the new. Regardless of when or how you decide to use it, get a scanner to preserve the art. Scanners are relatively inexpensive these days and come standard with multi-function printers. Office supply stores and photo stores even provide scanning as a service. Scan your child's artwork into a .pdf document and save it on to the computer. The art work can be incorporated as a slide show into a custom screensaver on the computer, or loaded into electronic photo books that are available at many home stores. The artwork can then be preserved forever without being damaged, taking up space or cluttering your home.

If you desire to store your child's actual art pieces long-term, utilize flat under-the-bed type storage containers that will accommodate over-sized pieces and can easily be stored with other long-term storage items in your home. These containers will keep the artwork flat, dry and undamaged. These containers can also be used to store any outdated scrapbooks that have started piling up.

Just like with photos and videos of your children, you may want to preserve their art work for years to come. The pieces can be great sources of laughter and pride as children grow up. With these organizing tips you can find enjoyment in each piece rather than frustration with the whole lot.

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