Art is not optional!
This made me wonder; how many children TODAY are not encouraged to take their own artistic expression seriously? or even given the opportunity to experiment with art? Do people really understand the advantages of building artistic skills in children? Today, with so many public schools dropping art from the classrooms, what will help build the needed skills children garner from art?
This article shows the benefits associated with children learning art while they are young and the impact it has on their lives. Via The Museum of Children's Art in Oakland California.
20 Reasons Why Art is Important for Children
- Art stimulates both sides of the brain.
- 33% of kids are visual learners.
- There are studies that show that kids, who make art, read better and get better grades in science and mathematics.
- The kids learn by using their senses and art is ideal in this process
- The kids need a place to express themselves at school.
- Art promotes self esteem
- Art encourages kids to give more attention to the physical space that surround them.
- Art develops hand and eye coordination.
- Art stimulates perception.
- Art teaches them to think openly. It represents a culture of questioners more than a culture of responders.
- Art teaches that there is more than one solution for a problem.
- Art teaches kids to think creatively to solve problems.
- Kids can share and reflect on their work of art and learn something about the world they live in.
- When art is integrated with the other subjects in the curriculum, kids commit more to the learning process.
- In the process of doing art, the child is exposed to different possibilities, to discover and to freedom, this way they avoid falling into the control and the predictability of the conventional education in the United States of today.
- Art nourishes the human soul. One feels good doing it.
- Art brings the cultural resources of the community into the class.
- Art involves parents and tutors in the school, inviting them to participate as volunteers in diverse activities.
- Art provides a common ground across racial stereotypes, barriers and prejudices.
- Art is valuable all by itself.
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Art (above) available from The Little Acorn (yes, that is my new company!)
What do you think of art being eliminated from our public schools?
Terrion commented:
a) English spelling : about mid of Mar,2012b) Speaking cetnost : about end of Mar,2012c) Chinese calligraphy competition : about mid of Mar,2012d) Chinese words regconition cetnost : about mid of Mar,2012Thanks!
Lavigne commented:
Now I feel stupid. That's clareed it up for me
Kailyn commented:
Slam dunkin like Shaquille O'Neal, if he wrote inofrmatvie articles.
Michelle Talbot commented:
I started working with pre-school kids making art inspired by masters and then the school would auction off the paintings to help their school.
It was a huge success...so much that I have started my own business making art kits for kids so that even more children can be introduced to art history in this fun way and let them create their own masterpieces.
I learn from children everyday and now it is my turn to give back. Art has changed my life, and I am so grateful my eyes were open to except it.
—Michelle, creator of kidzaw.com
Mari Robeson commented:
Thanks for the great article...people can help by volunteering to teach an art class at their local schools. I know when I do, I actually get more out of it than probably the kids...it's a win, win all the way around. Remember too, cultures are defined by art and architecture...if each of us helps a little, we can keep art alive.
Patricia commented:
The Arts and Art is most important in child development. That is one very good reason that when my children were small I enrolled them in a Waldorf School. There is Art in all forms and at all levels introduced to all who attend. This also encourages the child to question everything, which helps with their spiritual life in the future at still another whole level. So sorry that the Public schools just don't get it!!! I wish to express the same feeling as Antonio, a campaign (only Nation Wide) maybe even trying to reach the Political Arena, ART IS NOT OPTIONAL! Bridget, I think you have started something BIG! Again! Thank you for the "20 Reasons."
Bridget Kelly commented:
Thank you for your opinions! If Art is not optional... then why is it the first thing to go in schools?
Bridget Kelly commented:
Thank you for your opinions! If Art is not optional... then why is it the first thing to go in schools?
echo deng commented:
I have became a fan of you already!so creative
and I can learn a lot our works. Love them!
Antonio Campos commented:
As a child I looked forward to the weekly 1 hour art session that were provided in my elementary school. From a young age I enjoyed the artistic expression and freedom found in art. My exposure to art was limited to what school offered me. Looking back I treasure those weekly sessions, although I wish they would have been extended past the 1 hour mark, they helped develop my creativity from a young age. I think art teaches cultural and individual acceptance while also transcending various disciplines and possible career paths for the future. ART IS NOT OPTIONAL,--this should be part of a campaign! To eliminate the exposure of art to children is detrimental to our future. We need innovators and creative people who think outside the box--a skill that is developed through ART
Martha commented:
Art and 'the arts' in school are SO essential - combining various learning pathways for kids who may not process information and skills by hearing verbal instruction (academic teaching style). Hands on learning, mental and physical skill processing, responding to shape, form, rhythm... it's all SO IMPORTANT! I hope and pray most schools find a way to keep the creativity flowing... we need creative, processing grown-ups and they don't happen by accident!
Jacque commented:
I can't imagine what my life would have been like if I wasn't encouraged to express myself artistically when I was a child. Art is very important part of who I am and everything I do. I luckily have a priceless collection of little artistic treasures from my daughter and now from my grandkids. Taking art out of our kid’s life is like taking color out of life, period!
Art should NOT be optional! Thanks Bridget!
Jacque commented:
I can't imagine what my life would have been like if I wasn't encouraged to express myself artistically when I was a child. Art is very important part of who I am and everything I do. I luckily have a priceless collection of little artistic treasures from my daughter and now from my grandkids. Taking art out of our kid’s life is like taking color out of life, period!
Art should NOT be optional! Thanks Bridget!
mia chen commented:
looks so great!!
