Early Development and Art

The video in this post quickly highlights the many ways arts in curriculum are important. Children learn best by doing, by being active participants in their learning journey. Art experiences allow for this hands on learning to happen in an intrinsic and holistic way. 

Art/Creative Expression assists Early Childhood Development in the following ways, 

Social: 
through visual art experiences, a child
*interacts with others
*observes peers
*observes the uniqueness of others
*develops an understanding of the individuals within the social environment 

Emotional:
through visual art experiences, a child
*makes choices (independence)
*expresses self
*externalizes self
             -places through and feelings outside self
            -takes confidence, courage, the feeling that the self is okay and that it is               
                     alright to explore and make mistakes 

Cognitive:
through visual art experiences, a child
*learns colour, shape, texture, transformations 
*conceptualizes images
*invents forms for the expression of images(symbols)
*involved in process requiring abstractions and transformations of one thing into another
*problem solves
*gives though concrete form
*creates visually persuasive images
*produces a number of ideas
*sees relationships
*increases flexibility in thinking patterns
*finds differences and similarities
*shows independent thinking 

Physical:
though visual art experiences, a child
*uses whole arm movement (pounds claim marks with crayon, and paints with brush)
*uses wrist action (markers, paint brush)
*develops eye-hand coordination and refines fine motor skills

Children are to be encouraged to be their creative selves. Through the use and growth of their creativity they are establishing their social, cognitive, emotional and physical abilities. It is more then simply putting paint to paper or molding with play dough. Arts in Early Childhood development are incredibly important and not to be forgotten. 

Thank you for reading, 
Kindest regards, 
Kristina 


references: 

        Pear Cohen, & Gainer, R.S. (1984). Art: Another language for learning. New York; Schoken Books