Research indicates that a child who is exposed to the arts acquires a special ability to think creatively, be original, discover, innovate and create intellectual property- key attributes for individual and organizational success and social prosperity in the twenty-first century.
Art is intrinsically linked to creativity and creativity is one attribute which is touted as one of the most important factors for the success of individuals, organizations and cultures in today’s world.
So, why do young children who create art thrive:
- Cognitive development: Art activities can help children develop their cognitive abilities, such as spatial awareness, fine motor skills, problem solving.
- Art encourages neural connections. Through the activities, children can employ all the senses- sight, sound, touch, smell and taste.
- Art also builds fine motor skills. Gripping a paintbrush, drawing dots and lines, mixing colors, cutting with scissors, rolling a playdough- all of these activities require dexterity and coordination and prove so fun that children love doing them over and over again. It is through engaging in art activities over time that the fine motor skills of children improve.
- Art develops problem solving abilities. Art allows children to develop critical thinking skills by allowing them to approach problems from different angles and perspectives, fostering divergent thinking and help them to see problems in new and innovative ways. Art activities that involve manipulating shapes, forms and colors can help children develop their visual-spatial skills, which are important for problem solving. Moreover, art provides a safe and low-stakes environment for children to experiment and make mistakes, helping them to develop a growth mindset and become more confident in their ability to solve problems.
- Art promotes creativity: Art promotes creativity in children by providing an outlet for imagination and self-expression.
- The process of creating art allows children to experiment with different materials, techniques, and ideas without the fear of failure. This attitude encourages them to take risks and push the boundaries of what is possible.
- Art provides a way for children to express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas in a unique and personal way. This helps to build their self-esteem and sense of individuality.
- Art encourages children to use their imagination and think beyond the confines of reality. This helps them to see the world in new and different ways, and to develop their own unique perspective.
- Art allows children to create something that is truly their own, fostering originality and helping them to develop their own unique style and voice.
- Art activities that involve manipulating shapes, forms, and colors can help children develop their visual-spatial skills, which are important for creative thinking.
- Emotional Expression: Art can provide a way for children to express their emotions and feelings, which can help them better understand and cope with their emotions. Art helps children in emotional expression by providing a creative outlet for feelings that they may not be able to articulate through words alone.
- Art provides a way for children to express their thoughts, feelings, and emotions in a unique and personal way. This can help them to better understand and manage their emotions.
- The act of creating art can be therapeutic, providing a release for emotions that may be difficult to express verbally. This can help children to feel better and reduce stress and anxiety.
- Art can help children to develop their emotional intelligence by providing opportunities for them to identify, understand, and regulate their emotions.
- Art therapy has been shown to be an effective tool for improving mental health and reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions in children.
- Art can help children to understand the emotions and experiences of others, fostering empathy and compassion.
- Self-esteem and confidence: Art activities can help to boost self-esteem and confidence in children by providing opportunities for personal expression and achievement. The process of creating art can be empowering and can help children to feel proud of their accomplishments, building self-esteem and confidence in the following ways:
- Art provides a safe space for children to experiment and try new things without the fear of failure. This encourages them to take risks and push the boundaries of what is possible.
- Art provides a way for children to express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas in a unique and personal way. This helps to build their self-esteem and sense of individuality.
- Art allows children to create something that is truly their own, and to celebrate their accomplishments through the completion of a project.
- Art activities can help children to develop their skills and abilities, leading to a sense of accomplishment and improved self-esteem.
- Art provides opportunities for children to overcome challenges and setbacks, building resilience and helping them to develop a “can-do” attitude.
- Social skills: Art can play an important role in developing social skills in children by providing opportunities for interaction, collaboration, and communication. The process of creating art can help children to develop social skills in the following ways:
- Art projects often involve collaboration and teamwork, teaching children how to work together and share resources and ideas.
- Art provides a way for children to express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas through visual communication. This helps to develop verbal and nonverbal communication skills.
- Art provides a shared experience that can bring people together and help to build relationships. Children can form bonds with others as they work together on art projects and share their creations.
- Art provides a way for children to understand and relate to others’ experiences and emotions, fostering empathy and compassion.
- Art provides a safe space for children to express themselves, helping to build self-confidence and promoting positive self-expression.
- Supplement traditional academic subjects: Art can supplement traditional academic subjects by providing an alternative and complementary approach to learning that can enhance students’ understanding and engagement with core subjects. In particular, art can:
- Art activities can help students to develop critical thinking skills by encouraging them to analyze, interpret, and make connections between different concepts and subjects.
- Art provides opportunities for students to express their thoughts, ideas, and imagination, promoting creativity and innovation in other subjects and areas of life.
- Art activities can help students to see connections between different subjects, such as history, science, and literature, fostering interdisciplinary understanding.
The international schools of Kolkata offer their students training in various art forms such as drawing, painting, sculpture, crafts, design, digital painting etc.
