The benefits of exposing our children to the arts are boundless. Not only does art enrich our culture, it exposes us to emotions that may be challenging and thought-provoking. Children learn to discover and use their imagination through art and with our guidance, learn to appreciate art as well. One’s exposure to art can develop critical thinking skills which are so important to success in life.
Research suggests that exposing children to art from birth to age 3 is critical because they are in the prime stages of development. Additionally, educating students beyond reading, writing and math teaches them to be creative thinkers and to experience the world differently. “Older kids begin to notice that art has meaning beyond the images themselves. As they observe the feelings and emotions that works of art evoke, they will see how art can be a way of expression for themselves, too. Studies show that exposure to great art increases a child’s verbal ability, expressiveness, reasoning and logical thinking, and leads to philosophical questioning as a child seeks interpretation and understanding.” (MontessoriforEveryone.com)
Art stimulates perception and both sides of the brain. Kids who make art have been proven to read better and have higher grades in science and math. Art helps kids to use their senses, express themselves at school and improve self esteem. Art develops hand/eye coordination and encourages kids to give more attention to the physical space around them. Art teaches kids to think more openly and ask questions. Art teaches that there is more than one solution for a problem and to think creatively to solve problems. Art nourishes the soul and brings the cultural resources into the classroom. Kids learn to make something without judging the outcome before it happens. They learn the satisfaction of completing a job in a satisfying way, as well as taking the initiative to finish a project. Children will learn the important skills of learning to critique projects. They can analyze something they are presented with and through that, they will learn how to look at the good and bad aspects of any work. This teaches children the important skills of analysis which will come into play for the rest of their lives.
Art can bring all of these skills to children and have valuable impressions upon them throughout their lives. Art helps develop creative thinkers and problem solvers who strive for success in life and help make the world better. Creative thinkers tend to show more self-control and show less judgment about people.
AMO is proud to write for North Fulton Family Life Publications. Please find this article in their August 2017 edition.