How Does Art Aid in a Child’s Development?

From the moment they have limb control, kids manifest their curiosity. You can quickly notice how immersed they get in their activities – from drawing with sidewalk chalk to coloring on paper and experimenting with finger paints. But besides being an ideal leisure activity for kids, art goes a long way in aiding in various areas of development. Here are some of the developmental benefits of art.

Development of Life Skills

If there’s one thing therapists have told us repeatedly, it’s that our entire lives are anchored on childhood experiences. Therefore, through art, your kids can gain life skills that will stick with them for the rest of their lives. You might be wondering, “What skills does art develop?” Here are some of them:

Communication Skills

Creating art gives your child a chance to communicate visually. It is an outlet for their feelings or an experience they had. For instance, your child might paint colorfully when they have feelings of joy. Or they could draw a picture of what they saw in the park.

These might be thoughts and ideas that they can’t otherwise express. Therefore, it’s a chance for them to process their world safely. Additionally, the child will make an effort to describe their work. As you ask them questions, they learn to communicate better. It’s also a chance for you to teach them new things, like different colors and textures. 

Fine Motor Skills

Fine motor skills are among the essential skills that art strengthens in kids. During art lessons, your kids puts to use the small muscles in the fingers, hands, and wrists. As your child paints with their fingers or models clay, these muscles get stronger. Consequently, they have an easier time learning how to write, turning pages of books, squeezing glue from a bottle, and so much more. 

Problem Solving Skills

Every art project is a unique challenge for your child. With practice, they will learn to make assessments. They also understand that there are several solutions to a single problem – especially since there are no rules. Art teaches kids mathematical concepts, such as size, counting, and comparison. 

Social Skills

Some art projects require collaboration. Therefore, kids learn the importance of sharing and turn-taking in an art workshop. They also appreciate teamwork and their peers' role in a project's success. 

Strengthening Neural Connections in the Brain

Children’s brains develop over a million neural connections per second during their first few years. Notably, the process is more efficient when their senses are activated. What better way to start your child’s senses than through art? Art employs many senses at once. For instance, kids’ paint lessons expose them to color and smell. 

Support Your Child’s Artistic Abilities

Although kids are naturally curious, they still need guidance and encouragement to explore art. But there is a fine line between supporting and dictating. To avoid dictating their activities, pay more attention to the process instead of the end product. That ensures that the kid will not do things to seek your approval, but rather, they will explore freely. The only thing you need to ensure is their safety.  You can also enroll them in a children’s art program.

At The Artsy Backyard, we offer art classes for any age or artistic experience. Our sessions are incredibly interactive and provide all the supplies needed, such as canvasses, brush, and paint. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our programs.