Art serves as a means for children to express and work through what they are experiencing emotionally, intellectually, physically and/or spiritually.It is also an important tool for a child's overall development. In terms of communication, it allows them to express themselves visually before their vocabulary develops in a way that words alone cannot convey. Art therapy is often used when working with children allowing them to express their emotions through art activities.
Studies have shown that early exposure to visual art as well as music and/or drama fosters development and activity in the brain in addition to helping children to better understand language, math, science and geopgraphy. Art also nurtures a child's inventive spirit, giving them a sense of ownership while encouraging their self-esteem, discipline, cooperation and motivation. This is why it is always important to provide children with an environment where they have access to art or art supplies.
By exposing children to art and art activities we are providing them with a medium thru which they can express themselves and are also enabling them to develop an understanding of the human experience in relation to themselves and the world around them. This is because art encourages children to gain a new perspective on different view points while helping them develop problem-solving skills.
Suggested Activities:- Museum trips and gallery tours geared toward children, allow them to view and later talk about other people's artwork. You can take your child to an art exhibit or show and ask them simple questions in regards to the artwork. Ask them about the shapes and colors as well as how certain images make them feel, best of all, there are no wrong answers. If you do not have access to a museum or an appropriate gallery, there are a variety of online galleries and museum collections right at your fingertips.
-Once you have started an art dialogue with your child, you can start incorporating an art project into the discussion. Supplies can be as simple as crayons, fingerpaints and paper. Ready made objects found around the house can also be used, such as buttons, macaroni noodles, string etc. Encourage your child to use the colors and shapes of their own choosing. This will enable them to express themselves in their own way.
Posts
