Image Source: Pexels
If you are a parent, you have probably heard from educators that creating art encourages motor and neural development, and problem-solving skills.
Also, through art, a child can better understand other essential subjects such as writing, reading, math, and science.
Therapists and psychologists believe art is precious to children because it helps them process their world, deal with their emotions, and safely express their feelings and thoughts. Art also gives kids a critical sensory input.
Artists create art, not for any of this, but for its own sake—as a source of beauty and expression. A human being is inherently creative, therefore, for all of us, there is something very enjoyable in the process of creating.
Kids love art because it’s fun, it’s simple as that. Many parents also love art and believe it’s important to their families because it keeps every member engaged and happy.
The truth is that art is vital for the development of a human being in multiple aspects, starting from physiological and mental, to emotional development.
When kids engage in art activities or visit art galleries, they benefit on multiple levels. Here are some of the reasons your child should make more art.
1. Art Encourages Creativity
Creativity is an essential skill that enables you to think outside of the box, connect two unrelated ideas in a new way, and always come up with original solutions.
Solutions to problems and significant breakthroughs are always linked to creativity. If you want your kids to be successful in today’s world, it’s vital to nourish their creativity.
Only by being creative, you can overcome some of the incredible challenges of today’s world.
The International Child Art Foundation strongly emphasizes the importance of creative thinking and says that being original, discovering, being innovative, and creating intellectual property are critical attributes for success and social prosperity in the 21st century.
(See also: 5 Tips For Encouraging Imaginative Play In Children)
2. Art Enhances Neural Connections
Art, depending on the media you select, can engage all of your five senses. As kids experiment and create, no matter whether they paint, play with clay, or draw from their imagination, their brain synapses will fire away.
3. Art Develops Fine Motor Skills
Drawing, painting, mixing colors, cutting with scissors, tearing paper, playing with clay or playdough, and similar all seem like simple tasks to adults, but children require a more considerable amount of dexterity and coordination.
However, putting in a little effort is nothing for kids because they find all of these activities so fun and rewarding that they want to do them over and over again. If children engage in art activities, over time, their fine motor skills will improve. And drawing and painting have many health benefits on kids mentally and physically.
4. Creating Art as a Precursor to Writing
Toddlers love to scribble, and the more they do this, the more they will be able to control the pencil or the crayon and its movements. Once they learn to manage their scribbling, they will start to create shapes and eventually to write letters.
Image Source: Pexels
5. Art Enhances Problem-Solving Skills
The process of creating art provides endless opportunities for a child to make choices, come to different conclusions, and evaluate results.
When engaging in creative activities, kids become more comfortable with uncertainty, and over time become flexible thinkers. Flexible thinking is crucial for creativity and confidence.
6. Art Helps Children Understand Themselves
Children absorb information like a sponge absorbs water. However, they need to process all the gathered information in a safe and reflective way. Art is one of the ways to explore information and their feelings, and a safe outlet to deal with emotions.
Through art, emotions and ideas can be manageable and manipulated on a piece of paper. Children have a great need to express themselves, and art allows them to do that in a multidimensional way or simply put – in a way words can’t.
By encouraging kids to explore art, we encourage them to explore their inner worlds and feelings.
As parents and educators, it’s essential to provide children an environment where it is safe to experiment and create, an environment where there isn’t a wrong answer, and where questions and different solutions are encouraged.
This is not done to turn a child into an artist who will pursue it as a career. This is done to raise children who are confident and comfortable with their creativity in every form and aspect of their lives.
7. Art Helps Children to Connect
Art is also a great way to make friends. When done in a group, art creates a common ground for children who don’t know each other and provide an excellent opportunity to socialize. It’s very easy to enjoy the benefits of art.
You can either visit museums and art galleries more often or create some art at home with your kids and family members. In order to create art, all you need is an open mind, a few simple tools, and an exploratory approach.
Bringing more creativity into your life in every way possible will make you and your family happier and healthier.
About The Author:
David is a music and art enthusiast who loves writing in his free time. When he is not writing, he enjoys playing the guitar or spending time with his friends.
