The importance of artistic development in children

Kids and art should go hand in hand.

A sad but growing trend in schools across the world these days is the reduction of funding and time being allocated to artistic education. Some people who are in the positions to make these decisions regard the artistic endeavours as optional or, even worse, a luxury; this is terrifying because art is as integral in children's development as reading and writing. It's imperative to society that our children are raised to not only appreciate art in all its forms but also be confident and competent in their own ability as artists.

How art helps your children grow:

Real Life Benefits

Depending on the specific arts, whether it’s music, drawing, acting or dance, children learn important real-world skills including critical and creative thinking, hand-eye coordination, motor skills, and social skills like taking turns, sharing, and negotiating. Studies have shown that students learn persistence and higher level thinking through creative problem solving when given the opportunity to spend time creating a completed, invested work of art. Art encourages children to think more about their environment – the colours around them, exploring different materials and tools and encouraging them to look around.

Boosting Self-esteem

When a young boy or girl puts their heart and soul into an art project, putting all their thought and effort into their masterpiece, it instills an enormous sense of accomplishment when it’s complete.

“The arts are a great leveler, as we are all in the same boat, learning to create and succeed in new and unexpected ways,” says Dory Kanter, an educational consultant and arts/literacy curriculum writer and teaching trainer. “Children develop skills of self-reflection in the effort to bring their personal vision to fruition.”

Art benefits all learning

When art is integrated with other subjects, children are proven to be more committed to the learning process. Studies show that there is a correlation between art and other achievements. A report by Americans for the Arts says

"young people who participate regularly in the arts are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement, to participate in a math and science fair or to win an award for writing an essay or poem than children who do not participate in the arts”.

Art is great for brain development

Unlike spelling, there is no correct way to 'do art'. Unlike maths, there is no 'right answer'. Art encourages creative thinking and lets children come up with their own, unique solutions. This process has been proven to stimulate young brains to grow new neurons. Creating art trains children to concentrate on details and pay more attention to their environment. In essence, it’s a form of meditation (and one of the growing reasons we are seeing an increase in adults turning to colouring books of their own!)

EVERY child has an artistic fire inside them. This spark needs to be lit, encouraged and nurtured throughout their entire childhood and the lifelong benefits are undeniable. The reduced funding and time allocated to the arts as part of any educational curriculum is a geniune concern.

If art is something that is often neglected as part of your child’s learning, please try our online art lessons, sign up for a free 48 hour trial and ask your children to try a few lessons. Even in that short time you will see that spark inside them and understand why it must never be allowed to go out.