How Art Influences Child Development

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Promoting art in childhood implies providing strategies to channel the different forms of expression of children.

The role of art in the development of the child is more important than we realize, and is considered a fundamental discipline for the education of children. On the one hand, artistic activities stimulate the learning of other disciplines, such as reading or mathematics, and on the other hand, they favor the development of perception, motor coordination and social interaction.

In addition, using art as a vehicle of expression for children is very rewarding; a great way of communication for them. Through the different types of artistic activities, they can reveal their thoughts, feelings and interests.

For some educators, specialists in the artistic expression of children, art is an experience that allows children to express feelings. It can even be used to treat all types of disability due to the large number of beneficial properties it offers.

According to them, through music, dance and body language, children transmit ideas and feelings. If adults know how to interpret that language, they can enter the world of children.

In addition, psychologists agree that if it is introduced into art it is positive at any age. However, childhood is the ideal time to teach children the different artistic disciplines; They exist because of their great capacity to easily absorb any type of learning.

THE IMPORTANCE OF ART IN DEVELOPMENT

Next, we will see what is the impact of art on child development.

1- The music

Music has been introduced into the curriculum at preschool ages. The importance of this type of art is in child development. It is used in areas such as intellectual, auditory, sensory, speech and motor.

The musical language is universal and children who live in contact with music obtain several benefits. Among other things, learn to get along better with other children, learn to relax and your audience is stimulated.

In addition, music favors learning through children's songs, in which the rhymes and repetitions are continuous and accompanied by gestures when singing. In a fun way, the children enrich their vocabulary and better understand the meaning of the words.

On the other hand, singing songs for babies and listening to music with them, in addition to producing changes at the physiological level, favors the development of a strong affective bond with parents. In addition, it stimulates your emotional intelligence.

2 - Literature

Educational psychologists specialize in reading early stimulation according to the fact that this is a difficult habit to achieve in adulthood. In general, the love of reading only has the opportunity to consolidate when you wake up in childhood.

Children's reading is one of the most enriching activities in the world. Develop cognitive skills, such as memory, language, the capacity for abstraction and imagination.

The books allow children to discover a wonderful world of dreams and fun. Early reading and focused in a playful way makes children not understand it as an obligation, but as a form of entertainment. In this way, it will be much easier for them to incorporate the books of their repertoire of games and activities in their free time.

However, regardless of whether children start reading at school, that learning needs reinforcement at home to fully develop. Supporting them will strengthen ties with them and help create a very special relationship. Therefore, reading should not be seen as an obligation, but as a fun time.

3- Drawing and painting

Drawing and painting are two artistic activities that facilitate and allow the child to improve in many areas. Among other things, help develop fine motor skills, writing, reading, creativity and increase self-confidence.

In addition, these disciplines are an excellent means for the child to express their feelings, emotions and sensations. As if this was not enough, it contributes significantly to the formation of his personality and psychological maturity.

To promote natural creativity, it is advised to encourage free design. With it, the child can give free rein to his imagination and his personal way of expressing himself. For this, it is advisable to facilitate access to different materials, such as wax chalk, modeling dough, paints and watercolors, and different drawing media such as paintings, murals, cardboard, fabric ...

"The painter has the Universe in his mind and in his hands".
-Leonardo da Vinci-

4- The theater

Another way to introduce art to children's development is through theater. Practicing this discipline helps children learn values such as respect and tolerance.

In children's theater, children make plays in which they have to put in their place very different from those people. Thus, they can identify with the characters learning from their experience. In this way, your mental openness will be encouraged.

The theater can also open the doors to imagination and creation. Although these benefits can be achieved simply by taking the child to a play, they will be amplified if the child himself acts.

5- Body expression

Through movement and body language, children improve and promote their physical development: healthy body growth, safety in handling, flexibility and development of natural abilities to move, run, jump and turn. They also acquire the balance, coordination and control necessary for their evolutionary development.

In addition to these physical abilities, children express themselves through the body and movement clearly affects the development of their emotional intelligence, as well as social and creative aspects.

For this reason, even if body language is not normally considered as an art form, it can provide some benefits as interesting as the more classical disciplines.

In the end, the important thing is to promote art in children's development to allow children to express their feelings in the best way. So if you have a child at home, one of the best things you can do for her is to promote her artistic side.

"Imagination does not become great until the human being, with his courage and strength, use it to create, if that does not happen, the imagination becomes a spirit that wanders in a vacuum.

-Maria Montessori