Parenting Perspective 

When your child discards a drawing because it is ‘not perfect’, they are not rejecting the paper; they are tragically rejecting themselves for falling short of an unattainable inner standard. This behaviour reflects a deeper emotional pattern: equating creativity with their self worth. To heal this, your guidance must consciously shift from performance to presence—from focusing on how the art looks to focusing on how the creative act genuinely feels. 

Pause the Correction, Preserve the Connection 

When they throw away or tear a drawing, resist the automatic instinct to lecture or scold. Instead, acknowledge their frustration gently: “You wanted this to look different, did you not?” This simple, sincere sentence affirms the feeling without fuelling the despair. Once they are calm, add, “Every great artist begins with a rough start. Even master painters first draw lines they later erase.” By shifting the focus to the process, you successfully reframe failure as growth. 

Redefine What ‘Art’ Means 

Explain clearly that art is not a quest for perfection but a means of expression. Ask, “What did you enjoy while drawing this part?” rather than, “Why did you make this mistake?” This teaches them that creativity is a conversation, not a competition. Sometimes, keeping the ‘imperfect’ drawing visible on a wall or in a folder called ‘My Tries’ helps children witness their own artistic evolution. 

A micro action: set aside one day a week as a ‘No Eraser Art Day’ where your child draws freely without correcting anything. End the session with reflection: “Which part surprised you most?” Over time, this builds essential comfort with imperfection and helps them see mistakes as an integral part of discovery. 

Model Creative Imperfection 

Let your child witness you drawing, sketching, or writing something imperfectly. Say aloud, “I thought this would look better, but I still like the colours I chose.” When children observe adults accepting their own creative flaws, they internalise clear permission to do the same. 

Guard Against External Pressure 

Sometimes, perfectionism arises from comparison—praise that focuses only on neatness or from classroom grading systems that primarily reward precision over raw imagination. Counterbalance this at home by praising curiosity and originality instead: “I love how you used that unusual colour combination.” This reorients their validation from external results to internal thoughtfulness. 

Use Art for Emotional Release 

Encourage your child to draw not to impress others, but purely to express their inner world. Provide sketchbooks that are explicitly private, not for immediate display. Tell them, “This book is your safe place to draw anything you feel, however messy.” Art then becomes a form of healthy therapy, not a stressful performance. 

Spiritual Insight 

Perfection in art or life belongs only to Allah Almighty. Human creativity is a beautiful reflection of the divine gift of expression—imperfect, evolving, and sincere. Islam profoundly honours intention far above outward appearance; true beauty in faith resides in sincere effort and purity of heart. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran in Surah Al Mulk (67), Verse 2: 

‘It is He (Allah Almighty) Who has created mortal expiration and life so that you may be tested; as to which one a few (conducts himself) in better deeds…’ 

Notice the focus—Allah Almighty says best in deed, not most perfect. The divine measure values sincerity, not flawlessness. Teach your child that their art, like their deeds, is meaningful when it comes from their heart, even if it has rough edges or smudges. 

It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1955, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Indeed, Allah has prescribed excellence (ihsan) in everything.’ 

Ihsan does not demand flawlessness but striving for goodness with presence and sincerity. Every honest attempt—even a messy drawing—carries spiritual worth if done with care. Tell your child, “When you draw with love and sincerity, Allah Almighty sees your effort, not the crooked lines.” 

Help them see that creativity is a form of gratitude for the ability to imagine. The smudges, the uneven strokes, and the incomplete pictures are signs of life—proof that they dared to create. Encourage them to keep each discarded drawing as a quiet record of courage, not final failure. 

In time, they will realise that art, like the human soul, is never perfect but always becoming—and that is where its true beauty lies. Through your calm guidance and faith rooted reassurance, their torn pages will one day transform into stories of patience, growth, and divine contentment.