How Paint by Numbers Can Help Children's Development

Have you ever heard the term “paint by numbers”? It’s exactly as it sounds: a simple artistic technique to creating paintings by following a predesigned number system. Each color is assigned a number, so you fill the colors corresponding to the number until your final picture emerges.

There are different paint by numbers (PBN) online resources, with varying levels of complexity. Some include complete kits, which include brushes, canvases, and the exact paint colors in the numbered shades.

Paint by numbers for children is an excellent art teaching tool for children, and it does more than you can imagine for your child. This article outlines some of the benefits of paint by numbers for your children’s development.

Keep reading and share with your friends; everyone should benefit from this amazing painting technique.

Beginners Can Learn Easily

Learning art can be intimidating when your child is just starting out, which is why easy paint by numbers kits or books can help them along. They need no special skills except knowing how to hold a brush and mix colors where needed. It takes the pressure off building a child’s artistic skillset. In time, the child becomes more confident in their ability and can handle more complex designs.

Building Creativity

Although it may seem like dictating the colors going into the canvas takes away the creativity aspect from painting, there is that require more from the painter. You can start with basic kits – larger areas and fewer colors, and build towards more complex ones.

Then, when your child is confident in their art, they can try to venture from the number system to see what they create. Still, as they do this, they perfect the basic skill of learning to paint. 

Developing Fine Motor Skills and Hand-Eye Coordination

Painting by numbers allows children to practice their hand-eye coordination and builds their fine motor skills. Holding a paintbrush, swirling to mix paint, and trying to paint steadily and within the lines all help to improve these skills for children. Better hand-eye coordination increases the child’s productivity and builds their reaction times, athletic ability, and agility.

Learning to Follow Instructions

Paint by numbers helps children to learn patience and how to follow instructions to come up with a finished product. The child learns how to strategize in order to get the best final product, e.g. start painting from the top to avoid smudging or get different brushes for different colors. Understanding and following sequenced instructions are applicable in every area of their lives.

Encouraging Emotional Development

Embarking on a paint by numbers project is no mean feat for a child; it’s a big challenge that demands their absolute concentration. Using the number system breaks the project into manageable proportions because they don’t have to think about the image as a whole. This eliminates the pressure that can come with practicing art or painting. Once they complete one project, they’ll feel accomplished, which boosts their sense of responsibility and self-worth.