Art: The Best Father & Son Activity To Encourage Literacy & Creativity In Young Boys Developing Minds

The truth is that every good decent young man learns how to be a great man from his father or a positive male mentor. Boys learn the most important character qualities from the adult males they are closet to in their life, especially their father.

Most people know that a father taking his young son out for a one on one activity will encourage bonding and help to form a long lasting, sincere relationship. The majority of activities catered to father and son's are physically-based, which is very important to the development of a young man's brain. However, studies have shown that boys are more likely to engage in mind discovery activities such as art and reading if they do it with their father first.

Art is not a limited discipline, in that, in can teach all kinds of subjects from history, math, science, to geology. Young boys tend to read less as they enter the school age years unless they are encouraged at home to read. Of course, one of the best things to do is to read to your son, or have him read to you. However, art does not need to be a mother and son activity only. Whether it is a wood working project done at home, or taking a painting class together, ANY artistic activity done together will be beneficial for the father and the son.

In a hyper-masculine westernized society, boys are inidated daily with images of violence, hyper-sexuality, and thoughts of accomplishment through physical action. The "super hero"complex (to be a hero you must save someone, win some epic battle, or build something big),  is damaging to young minds if it is the only concept they are shown. The truth is boys can be super hero's in their everyday lives by being a good friend, a good student, and just being himself. We have a generation of insecure men who think that there self worth only exists if they  look physically elite at the cost to their health, and be 
mindless "beasts" (according to popular marketing ads).

Many men and fathers fear that if they introduce their boys to artistic endeavors that it will take away from their masculinity, as if if creativity was only designed for women. The truth is some of our greatest thinkers and creative geniuses of all time were men, and they weren't any less of a man because of it.

We need to raise kids as well-rounded, self thinkers, who can become independent and caring leaders of the next generation. Ultimately children are born with different gifts, and interests, but it is our job to introduce them to positive creative activities, and allow them to choose what is right for them. Being creative not only keeps the body healthy, but the mind as well. Studies have shown that children who participate in creative activities do better in school, better in their home life, and develope better coping skills transferable to adulthood.

Bottom line is that although your son may seem shy at first, he will love that you were "man enough" to do something non-stereotypical with him. When he feels safe to be himself around you, you will have a better relationship with him. Dads find it hard to communicate with their sons about feelings at times, engaging in artistic endeavors is a great way to open up the conversation.

I also found this interesting link:

http://www.artofmanliness.com/2009/06/15/11-best-fatherson-activities/