Why is visual arts important for preschoolers?

Studies have shown that participating in artistic activities (especially at a young age) is important for brain development. Yet, it is disappearing from school curriculum as budgets are cut. Casa Romantica hopes to solve that problem by developing several different arts programs. Our latest program is Paint and Play, where children ages 2-5 years old can enjoy visual arts activities with a parent or guardian and explore the grounds of Casa Romantica! With a curriculum developed by early childhood educators, you will participate in visual arts activities centered around St. Patrick's Day. Read our article below to learn about the benefits of visual arts for toddlers and preschoolers.

It helps develop motor skills

• Many of the motions involved in making art, such as holding a paintbrush or scribbling with a crayon, are essential to the growth of fine motor skills in young children. According to the National Institutes of Health, developmental milestones around age three should include drawing a circle and beginning to use safety scissors. Around age four, children may be able to draw a square and begin cutting straight lines with scissors. (Source 1)

It facilitates communication

• The visual arts can help children to communicate ideas that cannot be expressed verbally.
• The meanings of children’s art works are not always obvious but, in some cases, the act of creating art can encourage children to talk as they work. When this occurs, both the artwork and the dialogue that occurs alongside are equally important in helping teachers to better understand the child’s thinking. (Source 3)

It stimulates brain growth

• Participating in art, music, movement, and storytelling activities not only develops language, mathematics, science, and social skills, but these activities also strengthen the synapses between brain cells! Research shows that these synapses grow stronger through active participation in the arts. These essential activities at an early age can actually create new neural pathways and fortify those that are already present. At infancy a child has all the synapses needed to speak any language, to learn and appreciate music and movement, and to create visual art...but these synapses must be used in order to be developed. (Source 2)

It strengthens problem-solving and critical thinking skills

• According to a report by Americans for the Arts, art education strengthens problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. The experience of making decisions and choices in the course of creating art carries over into other parts of life. “If they are exploring and thinking and experimenting and trying new ideas, then creativity has a chance to blossom,” says MaryAnn Kohl, an arts educator and author of numerous books about children’s art education. (Source 1)

It develops innovation

• When kids are encouraged to express themselves and take risks in creating art, they develop a sense of innovation that will be important in their adult lives. “The kind of people society needs to make it move forward are thinking, inventive people who seek new ways and improvements, not people who can only follow directions,” says MaryAnn Kohl, an arts educator and author of numerous books about children’s art education. “Art is a way to encourage the process and the experience of thinking and making things better!” (Source 1)

Registrations for Paint and Play are now open! Visit https://go.casaromantica.org/Paint-and-Play to register. This series is recommended for children ages 2-5. A parent or guardian must be present in order to participate. You must sign up for all 4 sessions. Please only register your child.

Sources: https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/the-importance-of-art-in-child-development, https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/learning-through-arts/,
https://theeducationhub.org.nz/an-introduction-to-the-visual-arts-in-early-childhood-education/