Art is inseparable in early years. Even if there are no traditional artistic materials such as brush and paint, any materials can be used artistically in children’s point of view. Starting from smudging blackberry on the dinning table and splashing and applying bubble on the sink while washing hands are all part of artistic experiences. There are five big benefits of art for young children which are motor sills, language development, decision making, cultural awareness, and encourages neural connections.
1. Art enriches motor skills
There are so many ways to enrich children’s motor skills through art. Simply have music while doing an art exploration. Having music involved while doing art will get their body moving. Also, provide different shapes and sizes of materials for fine motor skills such as scissors, popsicle sticks, feathers, glue, paint, etc. Children will explore and learn dexterity in their own pace and ways.
Art helps children communicate
Secondly, through art, children can learn how to communicate. There are ways to communicate. There are verbal, body, and picture communication. Through art, children will learn various colors, shapes, and actions. Also they will learn how to use their body to communicate. They will learn the que of sharing, fixing, and how to use certain materials or equipment by reading other’s body language. Furthermore, there will be storytelling of what they’ve drawn and what they’re doing to create something that’s in there mind.
Art and decision making
Art supports children’s decision making skills. They learn and understands social queues through art with others. “The process of creating art gives children choices and urges them to make decisions in the course of creating their art – a crucial skill that translates into other parts of life.” Children also learn to take risks when trying out new things. Through art and exposure of new materials, peers, and environment, children learn how to adapt and how to proceed in the artistic process.
Experiencing different cultures through art
Today’s art is different and unique than before. Having the new context, materials and platform, children will get to experience different cultures, thoughts, styles and ideas, and these experiences will widen their perspective about the world and people around them. Knowing the surrounding plants self-esteem and self identity for children which is a great key to spark imagination and creativity.
Art encourages neural connections
Lastly, above artistic experiences give a child an opportunity to grow and it effects their senses and their synapses in their brain. “In fact, a young brain makes billions of new connections with every bit of new knowledge it is exposed to. In young children, artistic activities lead to the formation of well-rounded personalities, good attachment, self-esteem and better mental health.”
Reference
5 Reasons Why Art is Important for Early Childhood Development | Kidcreate Studio