When “Perfect” Gets in the Way: How Art Supports Children Struggling with Perfectionism

It’s a familiar scene: a child sits down eagerly to draw, only to crumple the paper minutes later, declaring it “not good enough.” This impulse—often mistaken for high standards or frustration—can be an early sign of perfectionism.

Perfectionism in children doesn’t always look like excellence; more often, it appears as fear of making mistakes, difficulty starting, or giving up when something feels out of their control. In creative settings, this can lead to avoidance, anxiety, or even shame around self-expression.

But art—when approached intentionally—can also become a gentle tool for challenging perfectionist thinking.

Unlearning Control Through Open-Ended Materials

One way to support children who exhibit perfectionist tendencies is to offer them art materials that resist control. Watercolors, collage, ink, and mixed-media tools naturally create unpredictable results. The process encourages flexibility, experimentation, and acceptance of imperfection.

Unlike a pencil or eraser, which might reinforce the need to correct or conceal, open-ended materials promote a mindset of curiosity over control. They invite the child to respond to what emerges, rather than dictate the outcome.

The Power of Modelling Mistakes

Children absorb more from watching adult behaviour than from direct instruction. When caregivers and educators model openness to error, they send powerful messages.

For example, an adult might draw something, intentionally disrupt it, and say, “Oops! I didn’t plan that, but I like where it’s going,” or “Let’s see what else this could become.” These moments of casual imperfection build emotional safety and normalize uncertainty as part of the creative process.

Over time, children begin to internalize this approach: that mistakes are not failures, but opportunities to shift direction, to play, or to learn.

Why It Matters

Perfectionism, if left unchecked, can have long-term effects on a child’s confidence, creativity, and emotional resilience. It may lead to self-censorship, fear of failure, or chronic dissatisfaction—especially in environments that reward outcome over process.

By introducing art practices that value exploration over execution, we create space for children to develop adaptive thinking and a healthier relationship with imperfection.

They begin to see that not every drawing has to be a masterpiece—and that sometimes, the most meaningful work comes from what wasn’t planned.

Artful Minds offers curated workshops that gently address perfectionism and other emotional experiences through open-ended, tactile art-making. Learn more about our approach by exploring our other articles or reaching out with your questions.

Let’s raise children who aren’t afraid to try, stumble, and begin again.