35 Powerful Benefits of Art for Kids

Do you view art as just messy playtime for kids, or do you realize it is so much more than that? While a child needs to learn science, math, and reading, art is also key to their development.

At home, it provides a great opportunity to connect with your child and encourage their creativity. In school, it offers a way for them to communicate and build confidence. With art education on the decline in schools around the world, it is up to us as parents to inspire, introduce, and cultivate the little Picasso in each child.

Let’s take a look at what art is, why it matters, and how you can help get your kids involved.

Statistics show that art benefits children’s academic achievements, yet budgets are often cut. Students actively involved in the arts are:

• More likely to participate in science: They are four times more likely to take part in a math or science fair.
• Better at attending school: They are three times more likely to have good school attendance and win an award for it.
• Recognized for grades: These students are four times more likely to be recognized and acknowledged for academic achievements.
• Leaders in the classroom: They are three times more likely to run for and be elected to class office.
• Higher scorers: Art students are likely to have higher SAT scores.
• Commited to graduating: They are less likely to drop out of school.
• Employable: They are more likely to gain employment after school due to their creativity.

Despite these facts, many educators feel not enough emphasis is being placed on art in schools. Roughly 66 percent of public school teachers feel that arts are being overtaken by the need for math or language arts.

A report from The Nation’s Report Card, carried out by the National Center for Education Statistics, showed that students who take music lessons or art classes, go to the theater, or visit museums achieve higher scores in their tests ⁽²⁾.

These facts and figures represent an overwhelming reason for getting our kids interested in creative pastimes at an early age. This is where you come in. If these facilities are not being offered on the scale they should be in school, you can help at home.

Start by fostering your child’s artistic appreciation. This can be done as simply as encouraging finger painting in toddlers. As they grow, you can introduce them to other creative activities.

While there are many different types of art, we will concentrate on the benefits of fine/visual arts and crafts for kids. It is worth pointing out art is beneficial for everyone.

Historically, art has depicted how different civilizations lived and what their cultures and traditions were. Art can also be used as therapy; it can help people overcome the effects of illnesses, or it may calm a troubled mind.

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It can help people earn a living with skills like architecture and commercial or advertising art. Theater and music bring people together socially and can also be a form of personal expression.

So, what are the ways art can benefit our kids? Let’s take a look at them.

1. Motor Skills

There are a few types of motor skills that benefit from arts and crafts:

• Gross motor skills: These are the movements of the large muscles of the arms, legs, and torso, which aid balance and coordination. Art activities such as painting large murals or pottery encourage the connections between the brain and these muscles.
• Fine motor skills: These involve the smaller muscles in the fingers and hands. Exercising these muscles helps with writing, tying shoelaces, and using scissors. Try activities like drawing, scribbling, face painting, or origami for older kids ⁽³⁾.
• Hand-eye coordination: When drawing or painting, it is our eyes that guide our hands to do our bidding ⁽⁴⁾. Playing with different shapes, tracing, and coloring within lines all help build this essential coordination.

2. Language Development

Different types of art can help our kids develop their vocabulary and communication skills in the following ways:

• Language skills: Art gives kids an opportunity to talk about colors, shapes, and actions. They can describe what they have painted or created, helping them to communicate and expand their vocabulary ⁽⁵⁾.
• Comprehension skills: Arts and crafts help kids understand the world around them. Reading directions for a project aids comprehension. You can also play games like Pictionary where they must draw a picture to describe a word.
• Literacy: Art helps develop writing, reading, listening, and speaking skills. Encourage them to look at illustrations and match them to the text of a story, or express themselves through dance, music, or drama.

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3. Boost Brain Power

Art can help our brains develop in many ways, including the following:

• Higher IQ: There might be a relationship between creativity and higher IQs, though this relationship is still under investigation ⁽⁶⁾.
• Problem-solving skills: Give two kids the same challenge and see how they approach it differently. Using items like rubber bands or paper towel tubes to build something helps them think constructively to achieve a goal ⁽⁷⁾.
• Visual learning: Looking at art can help a child interpret and process what they see. A child who is a visual learner will likely enjoy picture books and will often want to see how something is done before they attempt it themselves.
• Creativity and craftsmanship: Kids learn to be original and innovative when using art as a medium. They will be able to express themselves and discover which type of art they prefer.
• Imagination: Art encourages a child to use their imagination. Escaping reality and entering a world they create can help with their well-being.
• Concentration: Arts and crafts often lead to an end product. Following steps in sequence to complete a drawing or craft project can help a child focus and concentrate.

4. World and Cultural Awareness

Using arts and crafts helps develop an awareness of different traditions and cultures around the world. It teaches children that not everyone has the same beliefs and is a fun way to show that we are all equal.

It helps them understand and accept those who are different from them, serving as a useful tool in preventing bullying. When a child knows that someone has different rituals, they won’t see it as outside the norm.

You could help them draw an African tribal mask or make a Native American dreamcatcher. While doing this, explain the traditions behind these objects and why they are made.

5. Life and Social Skills

Life can be tough, and anything that helps a kid develop skills to navigate their journey is essential. Art provides several life skills:

• Teamwork and collaboration: Creating art gives kids a chance to connect with peers or adults. Talking about art or working together creates common ground.
• Ability to follow directions: Crafts often have specific instructions. This could be following a knitting pattern, stitching a stuffed toy, or making clay figures.
• Improved social skills: Joining an art group or collaborating on a school project helps kids communicate. It is a great way for them to expand their social circle.
• A sense of responsibility: Participating in arts or crafts as part of a group gives kids a sense of responsibility. They might have their own piece of the project to look after.
• Ability to resolve conflicts: Art helps kids understand there is more than one way of looking at things. It helps them express points of view and work out solutions.
• Handling criticism: Although there is no right or wrong with art, constructive criticism helps kids accept other points of view.
• Improving behavior: Participating in arts like music or drama might help kids who are “at risk” find motivation. It improves behavior as they learn to express themselves in healthy ways ⁽⁸⁾.

6. Improved Academic Performance

There are conflicting schools of thought where art and academic performance are concerned. However, it is agreed that art has a positive part to play:

• Influence on general school performance: Academic performance can be influenced by taking part in the arts. All the added benefits art provides can help a child achieve in other areas ⁽⁹⁾.
• Reach students with different learning styles: Kids with special needs, like ADHD, dyslexia, and sensory disorders, might not learn in the same way as other children. Art levels the field, as it is subjective and doesn’t follow set rules.
• Fosters regular school attendance: When kids have art as part of their curriculum, school becomes more fun to attend. Learning excites them more, and they are less likely to be absent.
• Reduces school dropout rate: Students who take part in the arts have a much lower dropout rate than those who don’t. In low socioeconomic groups, this can be five times lower.

7. Effects on Personality and Identity

Art can have beneficial effects on a child’s personality and sense of identity in the following ways:

• Confidence boosting: Art teaches self-respect and offers a respite for kids who need to excel at something. Feedback from peers helps build self-esteem ⁽¹⁰⁾.
• Teaches perseverance: Whether it’s visual art, music, or dance, art helps a child stick to something and see it through to the end.
• Teaches patience: Waiting for glue to dry or paint to set can be challenging. Learning to hold back teaches them the value of patience.
• Emotional intelligence: The highs and lows of creating help kids control their own emotions and be empathetic with others ⁽¹¹⁾.
• Encourages reflection: Arts and crafts provide a way for kids to have quiet time and think.
• Promotes self-expression: Art gives a kid an outlet to express themselves, from choosing colors to picking fabrics.
• Allows for healthy risk-taking: Experimenting during arts and crafts is a great way for kids to learn what works and what doesn’t in a safe environment.

8. Emotional Well-Being

Art can benefit kids emotionally and contribute to making them feel good about themselves:

• Gives a sense of purpose: Practicing arts and crafts can make kids more enthusiastic about other aspects of their lives ⁽¹²⁾.
• Bonding opportunity: Not only do kids form friendships through art, but they also bond with their family. Taking time to paint or craft with your kids gives you valuable family time.
• Reduces stress and anxiety: Arts and crafts help people feel happier and calmer. The effects can last into the next day, so encourage your kids to learn a craft and do it after school.
• Relaxation: Concentrating on creating is a form of meditation. It distracts kids from the ups and downs of everyday life ⁽¹³⁾.
• May discover a lifelong passion: Many kids who love art go on to become professionals in fields like music, dance, or visual arts.

FAQs

What Skills Do You Gain From Art?

Kids gain a range of skills from art. These include creativity, fine motor skills, problem-solving, decision-making, communication, and emotional expression. It also enhances their ability to focus and observe different perspectives.

Can Art Help Kids With ADHD?

Yes, art provides a productive outlet for expressing emotions and energy. It helps kids with ADHD enhance their ability to focus, complete tasks, and develop a sense of accomplishment.

What Is the Best Definition of Art?

Art is the expression of human creativity and imagination. It is usually found in visual forms like painting or sculpture, or other mediums that express and evoke deep emotions.

What Is the Difference Between Process Art and Product Art?

Process art focuses on the experience of creating rather than the final outcome. It allows kids to explore materials freely. Product art focuses on following instructions to create a specific result, like a craft kit. Both are beneficial, but process art is often better for fostering creativity in young children.

Arts and crafts benefit our kids in countless ways. Whether it is painting, sewing, music, or theater, these activities contribute to our children’s overall well-being. They help them develop key motor skills, regulate emotions, and express themselves freely.

As parents, it is vital to ensure our children have access to the arts. It might lead to a career later in life, or simply ensure they grow up to be well-rounded, creative thinkers.