There is no shortage of scientific articles, early psychology studies and academic pedagogy papers attesting to how critical art is to children’s cognitive development. But let's be honest – who's reading through 40-plus pages of technical literature for a quick answer? Not most parents and teachers.
Instead, this article outlines the benefits of art for kids in simple, direct language. Below, learn the many ways art enriches the lives of young people.
At Its Most Fundamental, Art Is Tactile Play
Art allows kids to dig their hands in, get messy, and—in many ways—learn their bodies' capabilities and boundaries.
According to studies, playing with art supplies is a fantastic way for children of all ages to hone fine motor schools. A two-year-old might test the firmness of their grip with a paintbrush, a four-year-old might hone their precision by drawing complex shapes, and older kids can use scissors (with supervision) to further test the strength and agility of their hands. Further, processes like mixing paints and blending watercolours teach them cause and effect, while activities like sculpture and craft teach them problem-solving through understanding spatial relationships.
Whether you're a teacher or parent, stock a wide variety of age-appropriate art supplies to get the most out of your kids' art projects. You can find numerous products for all ages online at AboveGroundArtSupplies.com.
Art Encourages Creativity and Self-Expression
Kids are often told what they can’t do. They can’t steal other kids’ toys. They can’t run across the road without checking. They can’t eat flowers (even though they look delicious).
Art is a space where all of those restrictions fly out the window. Kids can test the limits of their decision-making and creativity in a safe environment that allows them agency over something. This is a tremendous gift for a budding human's self-confidence, decision-making capabilities, and sense of internal motivation.
Moreover, art encourages self-expression. Children's inner lives are more complex than we sometimes give them credit for; they contain conflicting feelings, big emotions, and a flexible boundary between what's "acceptable" and what's not. Art gives kids a safe space to convey those gigantic, often confusing feelings and, in the process, come to terms with their emotional lives.
Art Promotes Cultural Awareness and Empathy
Lastly, art is a terrific portal for understanding various cultures and perspectives.
Appreciating and attempting various art styles from around the world allows kids to engage with different viewpoints. In the process, children slowly hone a sense of open-mindedness; once we treat so-called “foreign” things familiarly with exposure and appreciation, we develop a sense of connection with them. This way, art can help young minds become more open and empathetic. Those are fantastic qualities to instill in a young mind!
Whether you’re a teacher putting together a lesson plan or a parent looking for enriching activities to do with your young ones, consider the unique benefits of arts and crafts. If you need one final reason to convince you, just look at a kid’s face when they’re painting a picture – it’s a focused kind of bliss that you can only get with art.
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