How and why would the arts be important to the emotional and mental development?
Bullying amounts to emotional and mental degradation of one’s existence and being. It takes that away from you. The arts gives an outlet to take that very thing back from the bullies.
The arts instill pride. When your child puts his heart and soul into an art project—and spends hours working on it, cultivating it, and making it beautiful. There is a feeling of an enormous sense of accomplishment when it’s complete. “The arts are a great leveler, as we are all in the same boat, learning to create and succeed in new and unexpected ways,” says Dory Kanter, an educational consultant and arts/literacy curriculum writer and teaching trainer. “Children not only become appreciators of each other’s work but also develop skills of self-reflection in the effort to bring their personal vision to fruition.” Personally, as an example, I cannot ever deny the strength and pride every time I sang with the school choir. That I had a purpose and I can actually be positively good at something. Did it ever feel great! I always believed that was my saving grace.
The arts help your child develop real-life skills. Depending on the specific art activity your child chooses to become involved in, whether it’s music, drawing, acting, or dance, they are sure to learn important real-world skills including critical and creative thinking, hand-eye coordination, motor skills, and social skills like taking turns, sharing, and negotiating. “In my experience, students make a personal connection to a subject through the arts, and as a result, they deepen their thinking through a creative response,” says Kanter. “In addition, students learn persistence and higher level thinking through creative problem solving when given the opportunity to spend time creating a completed, invested work of art.”
The arts lead to higher test scores in the classroom. Self-esteem increases when a child feels confident in the classroom. Skills learned from studying the arts including concentration and dedication, affects classroom values and test scores. In fact, a 2005 Harris Pol in America l found that 93 percent agreed the arts are vital to providing a well-rounded education for children. In another 2009 study, 12 years of data were collected for the National Educational Longitudinal Survey to look at the effect of education, visual, and performing arts on the achievement and values of children. The study found that students who were highly involved with the arts outperformed less-involved peers, even within low socioeconomic groups. Music, in particular, helps provide children with improved classroom skills, including critical thinking, creative problem solving, teamwork, and effective communication.
This is due to the fact that music, the arts, being creative, has been scientifically proven to change human neuro pathways, that in turn improves cognition and attention.
The arts increase opportunities for self-expression. Another benefit of arts education is giving children a way to express themselves, especially in a classroom setting. When students are working towards a common goal, they appreciate that their “voice” and interests are heard and understood by others. This joint effort creates a sense of secure acceptance that is critical to their self-esteem.
The arts increase an individual’s sense of belonging or attachment to a community. Community art programs help introduce your child to new people and experiences. This attachment encourages your child to engage in social and creative activities while feeling part of a larger community. Your child will learn about trust and develop interpersonal skills and friendships.
The arts-related study, no matter the art, is critical to building a child’s self-esteem, whether in a studio, classroom, or playground. Speak with your child. Learn more about their creative interests and provide the resources and opportunities for them to grow and thrive.
Till next time. Love and kindness. Spread that around.
Illani