Start Art Classes from Preschool

Not just for creativity or motor skills. But even for academic success starting art classes from preschool proves beneficial. Here is the proof.

Back in the days, schools in India used to conduct trips to local museums and exhibitions, factories and historic monuments. As parents we have always been encouraged to expose our children to crafts even when it seems they cant seem to hold a crayon right. There is now a growing body of evidence that starting early art classes from preschool for kids comes with a bucket of benefits for children. And no child is too young to take art classes as we have seen.

Alternate Reality  

A study published in the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology found that pre-schoolers who participated in art activities showed increased social skills, such as cooperation and sharing. Learning to co-create, children perhaps come to understand that there are other ways to colouring the sky when they see another fellow paint it purple instead of the usual blue.

Pushing Past Comfort Zones

A study published in the Journal of Educational Psychology found that children who were exposed to arts education in kindergarten showed higher levels of reading and math achievement in later grades. But when you introduce art make sure you give them choices.

Provide them a wide range of materials like paint, crayons, water colours, play dough or chalk. Leave them to decide what to mix up and use. Add some unexpected objects like beans, twigs, household items. Pushing them past their comfort zone in problem solving.

Visualizing in 3-D

A study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology found that children who participated in art activities had improved visual-spatial processing skills. Children learning art are encouraged to visualize in 3-D which is important for learning math and science. Asking open ended questions like, “tell me more about your picture,” allows them to express their thoughts too.

Free & Unstructured  

A study published in the journal Art Therapy found that children who participated in an art therapy program showed improvements in their emotional regulation and overall mental health. We see children doing bizarre things with their art materials. Peeling the paper of crayons, using the opposite end the brush, or shredding chart paper to pieces, etc. They may make a mess, change their minds several times, they may not paint at all, even. Letting the class remain unstructured help too.

10 weeks is All

A study published in the Journal of Early Childhood Research found that children who participated in a 10-week art program showed significant improvements in their fine motor skills. A summer workshop in art may be all it takes to bring out the best in your child.

What Not to Do

Often we tend to praise the end result of a painting or a collage work to encourage the child. This for a child can mean that all activities have to end in creating a product. It’s the process that needs to be encouraged.

“Very often parents’ desire one thing but the child prefers a different form of art,” explains Anshu Debratar, art instructor at infyni, “it is important that the child is let free to explore what they want to.”

Try as far as possible to not restrict or limit the space. Let them use scissors as long as they are not running with it or trying to use it on someone else. Let them stand and scribble instead of painting.

Pablo Picasso once said: “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” That’s what we ought to learn.

A previous blog referred to the various techniques our trainers use when taking live classes in arts & crafts. Infyni offers a wide range of Art and Craft classes that are live interactive and instructor led. These art classes are flexible and can be once or twice a week. They can be offered 1-1 as personal training or in small groups. Check them out or drop us a mail to take a free trial with our instructors. ~