May the Peace in Children’s Drawings Reach the World of Adults

May the Peace in Children’s Drawings Reach the World of Adults

Once, I had my students create artwork on the theme of peace. I simply gave them the topic, but what followed was an outpouring of imagination and hope. The children filled their canvases with symbols—hands hugging the Earth, people of different races holding hands, peace signs, bubble tea, hamburgers, Taipei 101, flags, hearts. Each piece was overflowing with warmth and dreams of a better world.

As I quietly observed their work, I could feel how deeply children long for peace. To adults, their drawings might look playful or whimsical, but inside each image was something far more profound: a silent message that says, “We need peace.” A plea that asks, “Please protect our world.”

War always casts the darkest shadow over children. It's not just the bombs or ruins—it’s the loss of the everyday joys: going to school, playing with friends, eating with family, dreaming freely. We saw this in the war between Ukraine and Russia, and now, once again, new tensions are rising, and the fear of conflict looms.

At times like this, we need to listen more carefully to our children. Their drawings, words, laughter, and even their silences speak volumes. Peace isn’t an abstract ideal—it’s a daily necessity. And someone, somewhere, is always dreaming of it. It’s up to us to receive those dreams with care and work toward leaving a better world for the next generation.

Art moves the heart beyond ideologies and borders. That is why I continue creating with my students and reading the messages hidden in their drawings. The children tell us,
"We want peace, too. We want to live together in harmony."
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And maybe that simple sentence is the greatest truth we must never forget.

By Audria

​Discover how children express their deep longing for peace through art. In a world filled with conflict, their drawings remind us of the simple truth: peace is essential for a hopeful future.