Early Childhood Art Development

Art helps a child have a well rounded education. Including art in the curriculum helps develop a child's cognitive, social and motor skills. The study of art should not just include art activities but also art appreciation. Even very young children can learn to understand art through their likes and dislikes. A few simple questions help a young child connect to other people's art work.
Studying the art of other cultures is an excellent way to broaden the life experiences of our kids. Letting a young child make decisions in the creative process builds their confidence.

Cognitive Skills

Creativity is a process where a series of decision are made. Even a young child has the ability to decide what type of activity they would like to do. They can help pick out the paper a drawing will be done on, or decide whether they want to use crayons or markers. When engaging kids in art, the less we tell them to do and the more we invite them to decide for themselves the better their understanding of themselves and the world will be.
Exploring color, texture and depth perception helps improve a child's sensory develop. Stimulating creativity in a child helps develop a love of learning.

Social

Art helps develop social skill when the child learns to make creative criticism of his or her work. Getting input for the teacher and other students helps a child learn the collaborative process that enriches the learning experience and connects the child to his peers.
With a finished work of art, a new skill honed gives children a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction.

Motor skills

Esthetics

Teaching children to create and appreciate art helps children to develop a sense of aesthetic. Asking simple questions like "which work of art do you like the best?" and "why do you like this piece of art the best?" when visiting an exhibit will help them discriminate between what makes good art and what doesn't make good art. These questions also help a child when talking about their own art.

Non-Verbal Expression

Teaching children to use art as an acceptable way to express ideas, tell stories and use symbols gives them a deeper understanding of communication.

Activities

Trips to museums, art slide presentations, art show for kids and visits to art centers are a good supplement for regular art classes where children learn to explore a variety of mediums, develop their skills and enjoy the freedom that comes with being creative.

References

• Art in Early Childhood: Curriculum Connections

Resources

• Arts & Crafts Activities Blog

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