By Jane Sandwood
ADD can have a major impact on a child's sense of self-worth, and therefore a spiral of disinterest can occur in activities which require intensive concentration. In a recent art therapy study, "findings indicate that the mandala exercise has the effect of increasing attentional abilities and decreasing impulsive behaviors over time". Because of this, drawing is a proven key to unlocking the focus and attention in children struggling with ADD. To build a child's confidence in their ability to concentrate, they must be shown how to focus on a task that is enjoyable to them. Art therapy has been around for over 80 years, and over that time span, has helped people in all walks of life who are struggling in some capacity, whether it be emotionally, or in their learning. A common practice in these therapy sessions is the creation of mandala drawings.
Mandala drawing is the practice of creating abstract circular drawings, using a compass or other round-bottomed object, which can then be filled in with blocks of colour from colouring pencils or felt-tipped pens. This practice teaches patience and reward, and is a very traditional method of art therapy. It allows freedom of choice in colour and shape, and also enables an emotional catharsis, which releases distress and pent-up emotion by the process of drawing and colouring in. This practice derived from the Buddhist monks, who would create these mandalas in sand, and then blow the end result away once they were finished as a statement of the importance in its process rather than outcome.
The therapeutic effect of drawing doesn't have to come from such traditional means, however. For children with ADD, step-by-step cartoon drawing is an effective and engaging way to gain similar results. The clear and simply laid out structure of the drawing means that anyone is able to achieve the same rewarding end result. This leads to greater confidence and esteem in children who would otherwise have struggled to maintain the activity of drawing long enough to reap the positive, therapeutic effects of the practice. Drawing guides and tutorials are a great way to engage a child in a focused activity, which will encourage their artistic expression, by creating fun cartoons characters that children will love.
Therefore, the key to helping a child with ADD is to encourage these activities and allow their creativity to develop their attention and focus. This will improve their performance in school, and help them to stay on task with whatever they are handed in their lives. So why not start introducing step-by-step drawing to them?