Articles
The Incredible Value of Visual Arts in Early Childhood
Visual arts can play a crucial role in your child’s development by offering a large range of opportunities to explore their world and extend on their learning and communication skills, but what exactly is visual arts?
“What is defined as visual arts is shaped by cultural and social values. Some common examples include painting, clay work, sculpture, collage, weaving, construction, photography, wearable art, carving, printing and ephemera, although there are many more modes of visual expression and exploration.”
-Sarah Probine (2020)
In visual arts there are no specific outcomes or a ‘product’ instead they focus on the creative process, allowing children to express themselves freely.
There are many benefits for children who engage in the wonderful world of visual arts, these are just some of them.
Creativity and Imagination
Perhaps the most well known benefit of encouraging children to explore the visual arts is that they are a fantastic way to support their creativity and imaginations!
Because visual arts often have no set outcomes, children are able to bring their own ideas to life using whatever medium takes their fancy!
There is nothing more fabulous than seeing a wall full of children’s artwork where no two pictures look the same and each picture is seasoned with individual creative flair.
Emotional Wellbeing
Studies have shown that participating in art experiences can help reduce stress levels!
When thinking about young children and their emotional needs, being given plenty of opportunities to express themselves through art can not only help them process internal thoughts, feelings and ideas which is highly beneficial for supporting their emotional wellbeing.
Problem-solving skills
Visual arts can provide a way in which children can develop their problem-solving skills through trial and error and finding out what works for them and what doesn’t.
Supporting cultural knowledge
Visual arts can provide a way in which children can explore their own culture as well as other cultures.
Communication
Visual arts can be a fantastic tool to support children’s communication through sharing ideas and feelings.
Young children who cannot yet read or write can communicate stories and ideas through imagery. When children work together on a shared project they are also able to communicate amongst themselves, sharing ideas and intentions. This is a fantastic way for children to learn with and alongside each other and further develop their social skills.
Literacy skills
Participating in visual arts provides children with opportunities to further develop their hand eye coordination as well as strengthen the small muscles in their hands, both of which will help support them when learning to write in the future. These are just some of the many benefits that your child can experience when exploring the wonderful world of visual arts, it is never too early to introduce your child and there are many ways that this can be done. Keep reading to find out more!
Ways that you can promote visual arts with your child
Collect equipment
Exploration of the arts doesn’t need to cost money! Natural resources such as flowers, leaves, stones, bark, pinecones as well as different items of recycling can all be used by your child in their creative endeavors!
Set up a space for art making
Art is a language and the more exposure to it the more fluent your child will become. Allowing time and a space as well as consistent equipment where children can freely create allows your child to practice this language.
Allow time and space to revisit art
Offer your child a chance to revisit their artwork at a later date, are they finished creating or would they like to add more?
Ask your child about their art
A great way to open this conversation is ‘tell me about your creation’, that way if you can’t quite see your child’s vision they can explain without feeling upset that it doesn’t pop out to you straight away.
Visit your local art gallery or museum
It can be great fun for children to experience art by visiting a gallery or museum
Head out into the community
Art is all around us! sculptures, urban art, murals and other objects of creative beauty can be found in most places. Take a walk with your child and go on an art hunt! Who can spot the art? Encouraging children to take notice of all the art around their communities can help support them in their understanding of what visual art is.
Read books together that have a focus on art and/or artists Libraries have some incredible books for children all about art, see if any of them tickles your child’s fancy then spend time reading them together. This can spark an interest with your child
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