Life Skills Emerge Through Art Expression

Creating art expands a child’s vision and provides a new set of skills for children to self-express and communicate. Research shows that art education is closely linked to academic achievement, as well as social and emotional development. Art also develops the right side of the brain, in which problem solving skills are formed.

Work skills, including problem solving, critical thinking and cooperation, are fostered through art exploration. Children learn information and develop self-confidence by creatively expressing themselves. Encourage your children’s creativity, and you’ll see them quickly pick up these work skills that help them evolve into well-rounded adults.

Communication Skills

When children draw a picture, paint a portrait or create a mobile, they are beginning to communicate visually.

Artist Edgar Degas, most famous for oil paint images of ballet dancers, said, "Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.”

Degas had a point. Children create art to make others see what they are thinking and feeling. A drawing may document an actual experience, release feelings of joy with swirling colors or share an emotional experience. Art goes beyond verbal language to communicate thoughts and feelings that might not otherwise be expressed.

Problem Solving Skills

As children explore artistic ideas, they test possibilities and work through challenges, much like a scientist who experiments and finds solutions. They may ask: “Should I use a larger Styrofoam ball to balance my mobile?”; “This tape isn't holding. What should I try instead?”; “How did I make brown? I thought I made orange.” Art allows children to make their own assessments while also teaching them that a problem may have more than one answer.

When learning through artistic and creative modes, children's brains become engaged in the discovery of "how" and "why." Children solve challenges and come up with new ways to handle unexpected outcomes even when experimenting or learning how to handle art materials effectively.

Self-Expression Leads to Self-Confidence

It is important to separate the notion of "talent" from "creativity.” Children do not necessarily have to create a masterpiece to have a meaningful artistic experience. While it’s tempting to want your children's artwork to turn out “perfectly,” remember that art is a process, not a product. Where art is concerned, it is the process of creating, exploring, discovering and experimenting that has the greatest value for your children. Through self-expression and creativity, their self-confidence develops naturally, and their ability to create will soar.

The benefits of art education go far beyond the tangible statistics measured by data and studies. Children’s experience with art is a pivotal mode of self-expression and amazement, and it is critical to their development.