How can the arts help children

You may notice during art making that there is lots of joint attention — where you both look at the same thing together. This helps babies learn social skills, such as language and perspective taking, and feel connected to others.

There are further developmental benefits from experiencing new sensations and practising motor skills. Young children also see how they can make choices and communicate these to the grown ups around them. Even something as simple as choosing a colour or making a mark lets them see the physical outcome of their choices. This builds their feeling of agency and their sense of self. These benefits continue through childhood.

Art helps children to think in new ways, and to explore ideas — as the art and education academic, John Matthews tells us, scribbles are a process of investigation, not just random marks. When you make art together with your children you add additional relational benefits, as they share feelings and ideas. Art is communication without the need to be verbal, which may allow them to express themselves more honestly than through speech. Children often love talking about their drawings but it is important that they are able to discuss them in a non-judgmental way.

It allows your child to set the agenda and discuss what is important to them and why. You may also like to ask questions that encourage your child to consider the characters they have drawn in more detail. What are they like? Where do they live? Also, take this opportunity to talk to your child more generally. When drawing, children often enjoy talking about other things that are important in their lives.

Drawing together can provide a valuable opportunity to connect with your child on a more personal level and strengthen your relationship. Sometimes children need the chance to explore and experiment. Often I will lay out a large sheet of paper and put out a lot of paints so my sons can just mix and enjoy, or put out a lot of cardboard boxes I have collected so they can make 3D art.

Let it be. When a child finishes a piece, don't suggest additions or changes, advises Bushara. It's important for a child to feel that what she's created is enough—even if it's just a dot on the page. Parents Magazine. By Paula Bernstein. Be the first to comment! No comments yet. Close this dialog window Add a comment.

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All rights reserved. In my combined first and second grade classes, children freely participated in the art center during Choice Time. The same approach had been included in nursery school through third grades. Readily available supplies were bought with school money and parents supplied a huge variety of junk materials. Much of art for the young child involves exploring a wide range of materials. It should include the process that is emphasized. During this process, children have opportunities to develop the very same cognitive traits necessary to succeed in academic areas.

Opportunities for attaining academic success through art in school is not apt to be found in any other school activities. Para quem observa uma […].

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