Why Should I Send My Child to Art Class?

My child is only 18 months old. Aside from letting her make a mess at The Paintbrush instead of at my house, why should I enroll her in art classes?  My 7 year old likes sports. What benefit would he get from taking art classes?There are lots of good reasons to bring your child to art classes, not the LEAST of which is because ART IS FUN!

Twenty Reasons Why Art is GREAT for Kids!

Benefits associated with children learning art while they are young and what impact it has on their lives.

(Adapted from artsz.org)

1. Art stimulates both sides of the brain.
2. 33% of kids are visual learners.
3. There are studies that show that kids who make art read better and get better grades in science and mathematics.
4. Kids learn by using their senses and art is ideal in this process.
5. Kids need a place to express themselves at school.
6. Art promotes good self-esteem.
7. Art encourages kids to give more attention to the physical spaces that surround them.
8. Art develops hand and eye coordination.
9. Art stimulates perception.
10. Art teaches children to think openly; It represents a culture of questioners more than a culture of responders.
11. Art teaches that there is more than one solution for a problem.
12. Art teaches kids to think creatively to solve problems.
13. Kids can share and reflect on their work of art and learn something about the world they live in.
14. When art is integrated with the other subjects in the curriculum, kids commit more to the learning process.
15. In the process of doing art, the child is exposed to different possibilities, to discovery and freedom, thereby avoiding falling into the control and the predictability of the conventional education in the United States of today.
16. Art nourishes the human soul; One feels good doing it.
17. Art brings the cultural resources of the community into the class.
18. Art involves parents and teachers, inviting them to participate as volunteers in diverse activities.
19. Art provides a common ground across racial stereotypes, barriers and prejudices.
20. Art is valuable all by itself.

Still need more convincing?
Adapted from KinderArt.com…

It’s been proven that early exposure to visual art and music promotes activity in the brain.
Teaching children about art is a good idea because:

• Art helps children understand other school subjects much more clearly—from math and science, to language arts and geography.
• Art nurtures inventiveness as it engages children in a process that aids in the development of self-esteem, self-discipline, cooperation, and self-motivation.
• Participating in art activities helps children gain the necessary tools for understanding human experience, adapting to and respecting others’ ways of working and thinking, developing creative problem-solving skills, and communicating thoughts and ideas in a variety of ways.