The art creation process has many benefits for young children, which is why it is such an important part of the daily curriculum at day care in Penrith, it helps them to develop their attention span while laying the foundation for more advanced studies like language and math. One example of how arts and crafts affect our children is to think of the future architect beginning their life's career journey by constructing toy buildings from cardboard and clay, that seed is planted at the daycare's activity table!
Let's explore the benefits of art in preschool a bit further!
● The Development Of Fine Motor Skills - Every time a young child picks up a crayon, a lump of clay, glitter and glue, or a paintbrush to create art with they are practicing their fine motor skills. Artistic activities build the foundations for critical life skills such as writing, typing, and using tools as well as everyday tasks like getting dressed, practicing personal hygiene, and eating.
● Building Verbal Language Skills - By verbally engaging with children while they are creating art you give them the opportunity to also practice their communication abilities, general literacy skills, and vocabulary. Young children are usually eager to discuss whatever it is they are creating with you, learning and using a variety of words for different colors, materials, shapes, and tools to express in language what they are crafting.
● Building Written Language Skills - Children often like to write on their art, going far beyond just signing their name to providing labels and descriptions of whatever it is they are drawing or painting. This is a wonderful and entertaining way for them to practice their written language skills! Drawing is often considered to be an early step toward writing words with letters, their artistic scribbles eventually leading to forming letters and learning good penmanship, which relies on being able to control a writing utensil in a very exact way.
● The Development of Early Math Skills - Learning to master shapes, patterns, and space through art forms the building blocks of geometry. Working within the confines of a sheet of paper or a canvas helps children develop spatial awareness and planning skills by having to fit their vision on the page. The child learns how to rotate and scale shapes and practice using directional terms such as 'around', 'next to', 'on', or 'under'. Art also offers a chance to work on counting skills, "Draw three flowers, please", or "How many animals did you make from your clay?"
Developing arts and crafts skills is an important step towards learning so many important things. Having ample time and opportunity available to be creative is essential to a child's natural development, with the added benefit of being something they love to do!
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Diana