On a more serious note, paint brushes are a easy tool for expression and require little instruction. Along with paper and a smock, they can help stave off boredom, during a lazy afternoon at home. Brushes also help develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. There are many different types of brushes but the chunky brush seems to be the go-to brush for moms and educators.
The chunky brush is likely featured in your art supplies. Heck, it's even in mine. And why not? It has stood the test of time, having been around since before my childhood. It's cheap, cleans well, and can take severe paint brush punishment. The chunky brush is going strong, and it doesn't seem to be going away, along with those flimsy watercolor paint brushes that come with minimal synthetic fibers.
Artist brushes for children's use has long been ignored. Yet, what parents are ignoring are benefits that will improve their child's art experience. Using these paint brushes will give your developing child greater room to explore a variety of shape, size, and other details, unlike the chunky paint brush, which can limit a child's creative painting ideas. Because there are a myriad of artist brush choices, such as different bristles fibers and brush shape, children can gain an exposure that will expound upon their current art abilities.
With greater access comes growth and development. The more your child is exposed to an array of paint brushes and painting tools, for that matter, the more likely their exposure will develop their skills and understanding. And it is this access to painting tools that will teach them, through experience, how each brush works and how it can add or assist in translating their imagination into art.
While chunky brushes are cheap and can by trampled on by elephants and still be usable, the biggest drawback is that it will hinder detail and, by doing so, will dictate what a child can and cannot paint. This disadvantage is counter intuitive to the idea of enriching our children through art and will affect a child's overall art experience. Simply put, it is a large brush with over-sized, stiff synthetic fibers. They are truly best for kids 3 and under, who are still using very large strokes and learning to control a fine-motor object, like a paint brush.
On the other hand, artist brushes will give children greater flexibility and increase their art ability through experience. Introducing them to you child, between 4 and 5 years old, will contribute to refining their fine-motor skills. Yes, they can be expensive and a bit awkward to hold for pre-writers, unlike the chunky brush. But you can find inexpensive artist brushes at your local art supply and craft store, just as well. Make sure to keep an eye out for student-grade brushes and brushes with thicker handles!
Here are inexpensive brushes that will be a great addition to your art supplies!
http://www.dickblick.com/products/royal-soft-grip-golden-taklon-brush-sets/
Also try these: (Value Pack K)
http://www.dickblick.com/products/princeton-value-pack-brushes/
