Update: This article was last updated on 07th February 2024 to reflect the accuracy and up-to-date information on the page.
My neighbor Nicky enjoys a successful career. The secret to her success is her creative problem-solving approach. Nicky thanks her parents for nurturing her creative side, which has become her strength today. They not only introduced her to a riot of colors at an early age but also exposed her to pottery, and art and craft activities that sharpened her creative mind.
Creativity is one of the most important skills to possess in today’s age because creative minds provide innovative solutions.
You would be surprised to know that creative stimulation in kids starts early. It starts much before they start talking. Usually, parents introduce their children to colors and crayons at an early age without knowing its benefits. Scientifically speaking, coloring or art sessions enhance fine motor skills and mobility skills and it also helps in building concentration and hand-eye coordination.
Art provides kids with a creative environment and a medium to express themselves. One might probably wonder what happens when children indulge in art activities. The answer to this is that they put their thinking caps on, unleash creativity by processing their ideas, feelings, and vision, and articulate them with the help of pencils & pens, colors, and crayons.
Highlighting the importance of art in child development, the National Institutes of Health in its article says: Although some may regard art education as a luxury, simple creative activities are some of the building blocks of child development. Learning to create and appreciate visual aesthetics may be more important than ever to the development of the next generation of children as they grow up.
There is no denying tools such as color crayons and paper brushes stimulate creativity and imagination in children who communicate with the world around them through shapes, designs, & colors. Later in life, they can reap the benefits of their creative mind. It is, therefore, essential to sharpen the creative skills of children.
The others are also trying to sensitize people about the importance of art. For instance, an article on pbs.org says: The importance of exposing kids to art early in life is often undervalued. But giving young children an art appreciation encourages exploration, self-expression, logical thinking, self-esteem, imagination, and creativity.
Here are Eight ways art enhances creative thinking in kids:
1. Creativity
An artwork is an interpretation of children’s ideas and feelings. When you ask a child to draw a rainy day or a playground, they use their imagination to draw what they have conceived in their mind and this marks their first step towards creative thinking. They pour it on the paper and fill their imagination with colors, which provide a window to their thought process. The end product shows kids’ ability to analyze things.
2. Design
In the world of art, design means planning and deciding the form and structure of your ideas, while in the tech world design thinking is known as creative problem-solving. The design takes elements from both science and art. So the art activities would hone your child’s creative problem-solving ability.
3. Generate Ideas
Having ideas is common because everybody has ideas, but what is uncommon is the ability to articulate the ideas and share them with the world. It’s a process and not everyone can master it. So, an association with art can help children in articulating ideas and sharing them with others. In the long run, they would learn the art of expression.
4. Experiment
Art is also about experiments. The visual arts have various branches such as painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, photography, design, crafts, architecture, etc. The children can choose any of them according to their interests and age. For a better tomorrow, kids need to balance creative activities with academics.
5. Observational Skills
Innovators are excellent observers. They observe their surroundings, spot the problems, and solve it with their innovations. For kids, art is the best medium to share their observations. It also shows how they interpret their surroundings and environment.
6. Tiny Muscles, Big Power
From painting rainbows to building clay monsters, art makes little hands strong and smooth, like ninjas in training!
7. Enhances Emotional Intelligence
Art provides a safe space for kids to explore and express their emotions. Through music, dance, or visual art, they can channel frustration, celebrate joy, and navigate complex feelings. This emotional awareness and expression are crucial for their overall well-being and social development.
8. Promotes Lifelong Learning
Art sparks a lifelong love of learning. The curiosity and problem-solving skills nurtured through art translate into other areas of study, making kids more engaged and inquisitive learners. This thirst for knowledge sets them on a path of continuous discovery and growth.
If you would look around, you will find reports about the required skill sets for the future job market. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF) Future of Jobs Report, the skills that will become essential in the future are the 3 C’s–Complex Problem Solving, Creativity, and Critical Thinking. Take your cue and act in the best interest of your kids. Art is a form of creative workout, and the creative activity sharpens the brain. Endorse it.
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