Summer School: Slap on the grease- (or oil-) paint

Whether they're budding actors or potential Picassos, children love to be encouraged to express themselves

1 Be inspired by the Masters

Making links between the works of great artists and a child's own work is a central part of the National Curriculum at all Key Stages. One activity recommended by many teachers is to take children to a local art gallery. "Take them to look at the work of a particular artist, and encourage them to create something of their own inspired by the content, colours, perspective or style," says Bernice Holmes.

Books can also be useful. Ms Holmes recommends The Art Book (Phaidon), or its abridged version in paperback, The Art Book: Mini Edition. "Pick a style of painting or drawing that is easy to emulate," she advises. "There are lots of wonderful examples of squiggly line drawings by Picasso, which can easily be re-interpreted using ballpoint or pen." A good reference is the paperback Picasso Line Drawings and Prints (Dover Publications).

2 Take to the boards

Developing dramatic skills depends on group activities as well as on feeding an individual imagination. Experts advise parents to let their children participate in one of the many drama courses and workshops run by local authorities and theatre groups each summer.

Perhaps the best known – and most prestigious – is the residential course run by the National Youth Theatre, which offers 800 children the chance to learn about acting and technical theatre skills. After the course, you can audition for a role in forthcoming NYT productions.

Through the National Association of Youth Theatres, you can participate in one of a number of summer schools run by more than 300 youth theatres across the UK. Eleven to 14 year-olds are encouraged to explore their dramatic sensibilities through workshops and roleplay.

"It's about encouraging self-confidence, new friendships and the exploration of issues through drama," a spokesman for the NAYT, Stuart Hawkes, explains. "You need the dynamic of at least six kids together sparking off each other to explore your creativity – something that's so much harder to do at home on your own."

National Youth Theatre (020-7281 3863). National Association of Youth Theatres: www.nayt.org.uk, NAYT, The Arts Centre, Vane Terrace, Darlington, Co Durham, DL3 7AX

3 Be a soap star

For older children, TV provides a useful starting point for dramatic play.

"Most kids understand drama through TV rather than theatre, so why not use it to develop their dramatic imagination?" suggests Paul Sutton, director of C&T, a children's theatre group based in Worcester. "You could watch an episode of a soap, and use the action as a starting point for discussing the drama."

Sutton suggests two formats for activity – "thought tracking" and "hot seating". Thought tracking isimagining what characters are thinking – which may be at odds with what they are doing and saying. Hot seating involves taking a crisis point in a drama and roleplaying. Your child pretends to be a character and you interview them about their thoughts and feelings.

4 Go live

"Nothing beats taking a child to see live music," says Professor Graham Welch, head of music education at London University's Institute of Education. Live classical music can be fun for even the most doubting child, he adds. Many concerts are designed with children in mind, and live events are certainly appropriate for children studying for Key Stage Two or Three. Foryounger children, make sure it's a programme of short pieces.

5 Create your own sound

Soundscapes are a great way to make music, says Sarah Hennessy, music/ programme director at the University of Exeter. Encourage your child to produce an audio diary recording the sounds of a location or activity. Or download sound effects or music samples from one of a range of websites. The site www.getoutthere.bt.com can be used to source samples to construct your own dance tracks. "Create a radio programme in which you are a DJ choosing the music and jingles – both your own and material you have downloaded."

At www.turntables.de/ you will find a virtual DJ booth with turntables, scratching samples, sound clips and even lighting effects. You can make music easily, just by clicking on different objects on the page.