What is Art ?
When referring to art, we are not referring to grandiose masterful works of art or the seemingly skill or prose of an experienced artist. When referring to art, we mean to refer to simple drawing, painting and doing arts and crafts. Even through seemingly simple tasks, art can allow for a harvest of a multitude of benefits.
Benefits of Art
- By creating positive neural pathways, doing art can elevate mood, decrease anxiety, boost self-confidence and refine motor skills and reactions to motor sensory stimuli according to research conducted at the University of Wisconsin (Walker, 2015).
https://minds.wisconsin.edu/handle/1793/72153 - The study also identifies that the focal elements of art therapy, which are drawing, painting and crafting, can also lower stress, help in processing emotion and strengthen focus (Walker, 2015).
https://minds.wisconsin.edu/handle/1793/72153 - Art can also help with processing visual and motor information and memories through stimulating parts of the brain. (ARCM).
https://acrm.org/rehabilitation-medicine/how-the-brain-is-affected-by-art/ - Other benefits of art includes that it can assist in cementing basic sensory building blocks and promote stronger communication, self-expression and creativity (Lusebrink, 2004; Brown, 2012).
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ682596.pdf
https://www.ccpa-accp.ca/psychological-benefits-of-art-therapy/
So How Can You Integrate Art?
- A plethora of art supplies is not needed. Even just a piece of paper and colored pencils or some paint and a paintbrush are sufficient enough.
- Have your child sit in an area without distractions and allow them to draw or paint in solitude or while listening to binaural beats audio for 20-30 minutes a day
- Project Outgrows can provide guidance by creating weekly plans and videos to follow along with to assist.