Why art for kids?
Every child loves doing art. Painting with vibrant colors, drawing a detailed picture or even squishing clay through fingers, kids enjoy creating masterpieces that express their imaginative side. What seems like a smudge of paint or simple line to us adults, for children it is a way to communicate, express feelings, develop language skills, and even improve self-esteem. For children, creating art is more than fun and self-expression.
So, what are the benefits of art for children?
- Art boosts creativity. In “Creative Young Children’s Art Growth in Their Social and Cognitive Development,” Karla L. Berg found that children who enjoyed art consistently showed increased creativity based on their interests and preferences of art media and styles. According to research, the part of the brain most associated with art is the right hemisphere. The right hemisphere is considered the ‘artistic side’ of the brain. It is linked to creativity, spatial awareness, visual imagery and emotional processing. Art encourages creativity and imaginative thinking. Both these skills are necessary for long-term professional success.
- Art helps children understand themselves and the world around them. Children are sponges and absorb a significant amount of new information every day. Art is one way for children to process their new teachings in a safe and expressive way. It also helps them deal with daily and significant events. Art activities have shown to increase children’s respect for other cultures, including the arts, music, sports, and other disciplines that most children have limited experience with outside school or the classroom. It can help people of all ages, races, abilities, and even languages engage in a shared activity.
- Art helps children grow physically and mentally. Kids start with scribbling, which is a precursor to writing. All art activities require use of fine motor skills. Art also engages all the senses and engages neural connections. Art is also valuable in teaching math, science and even technology. It improves creative problem-solving abilities. A report from Americans for the Arts concluded that children who regularly engage in artistic activities are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement!
- Art boosts confidence and self-esteem. By allowing children to create their own art, it gives them their own independent choices to express their feelings and emotions. When children have the ability to express themselves in a safe way, it builds their confidence. A study by Santi Mancini and Johnna S. de La Vega found that parents of “sensitive children” positively correlated art activities and their child’s self-esteem. Art can be used to express all feelings- positive or negative. Michael Chekhov said, “Art is the most complete of human activities.”
- Art connects! Children bond over art. Art serves as a universal platform for children who are unfamiliar with each other and may have differing interests. Art helps facilitate communication and bonding between children. Engaging in art activities within small group settings fosters cooperative behavior among children, providing them with opportunities to practice essential social skills such as sharing, taking turns, and collaborating.
The arts teach children valuable learning skills that can be used in life. Encouraging children in the arts is essential!
Mess Hall Arts offers a wide variety of classes, events, parties and camps for children of all ages to experience a variety of art. Register at http://MessHallMN.com
Credit:
The Artful Parent
Arts Fairfax
Child Crisis AZ