Can Pictures Really Talk?

It’s been said that a picture paints a thousand words, but to children photographs speak volumes.  Leading children doctors and psychiatrists have been telling us for years that early child development should include exposing our children to photographs of themselves and their family member.  When a child sees their image around their home it supports a sense of well-being and builds self-confidence.

Visual affirmation is essential in a child’s development.  Parents should place photographs of school events, family trips and photos of children with their friends to support a child’s sense of belonging and having a meaningful place in life.  When you have sometime read Photo Therapy in Mental Health, by David Krauss, Ph.D., and Jerry Fryear,Ph.D..  According to Krauss, “It is important not only to be photographed in ways that indicate caring, nurturing, love and success, but also to see those images and take them in.”

Today, many psychologist use portraits in therapy with children and suggest parents do the same by continually reviewing family albums with children about 30 minutes prior to going to bed.  It is said this is when children are most receptive to absorb anything more than any other time of the day! So take this time to show them photos of relatives and friends who live far away or are deceased.  When you show children images supporting positive emotions just before they go to sleep is important to reinforcing a child’s self-esteem.

Some interior designers have picked up on these theories and are now suggesting this as positive impact to decorate nurseries with portraits of children and family in lieu of cute designs and wallpaper themes.  No matter if you use family snapshot or professionally created portraits, photographs tell volumes about the individuals they portray.  For adults it is about creating memories to look back on, but for children they are stories to build their lives on.

For more information on how Larmon Studios can help create your family stories visit us online at www.LarmonStudios.com or call us at (215) 642-0062