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Throughout the years there have been differing opinions on the value of arts in schools, which has seen creative subjects lose funding in the past. Now, however, the benefits of practicing the arts are becoming increasingly clear as they have shown to help children develop in both their personal and academic lives. To help you explore some of the reasons that the arts are such a vital part of a child’s education, we have teamed up with an independent school in Surrey to share some insights.
Improves Cognitive Function
Far from being just light-hearted padding between academic topics, the arts actually bring a lot to the table in terms of cognitive development. For smaller children, painting and drawing can help to develop fine motor skills and an understanding of colours and shapes. Artistic projects require an element of planning and imagination which strengthens both critical and creative thinking skills, which helps children become better problem solvers and more innovative thinkers. The arts can also give kids an edge with their maths skills as the study of music has been shown to help children grasp an understanding of patterns and sequences.
Appeals To Different Learning Styles
When art is used to teach a more traditionally academic topic it helps to bring the subject matter to life and allows children of various learning styles to engage with the lesson. Some children will struggle to absorb information from a wordy textbook and some tune out when listening to lengthy explanations about a topic. For those who are practical learners, art can be the gateway to gaining knowledge from a broad range of subjects, approaching information in a way that suits their learning style and helps them to recall information more easily.
Helps Unearth Their Passion
It’s so important to enable children to explore a variety of different subjects and pastimes to help them find something they can truly connect with. Art tends to be less structured than more traditional academic topics, giving children the opportunity to unearth their creativity and develop independent thought. Children grow in confidence as their skills develop, especially as they become familiar with performing or showcasing their artistic skills. Having the chance to learn about the arts in school can help children find a lifelong passion.
