DEL Celebrates Arts in Education

The arts are an essential part of a complete education, no matter if it happens in the home, school, or community. Students of all ages—from kindergarten to college—benefit from artistic learning, innovative thinking, and creativity. Celebrating National Arts in Education Week is a way to recognize this impact and share the message with friends, family, and communities.

National Arts in Education Week is a national celebration recognizing the transformative power of the arts in education. Designated by Congress in 2010 through House Resolution 275, the celebration is designated to bring attention to this cause for elected officials and educational decision makers across the country and to support equitable access to the arts for all students.

So what makes art so important to a child’s education?

How does learning how to draw, paint, dance or sing help children in their other subjects as well as in life in general? For children across all physical and mental abilities, various art mediums allow children the freedom to express their ideas and emotions that more structured educational subjects don’t. 

 When there isn’t a “right” or “wrong” answer, children have the freedom to think differently.

In standard subjects such as social studies or mathematics—there are generally, right and wrong answers and hence it is much easier to quantify the level of proficiency in these subjects. The problem is that creativity, ingenuity and perseverance are not skills that are easy to quantify. Whereas, test results can “prove” proficiency in traditional subjects like math and reading comprehension.

But how do you teach skills and mental habits that are invaluable life skills such as problem solving, creativity, perseverance, or dedication? 

Photo courtesy of Kaleidescope Play and Learn, Thurston County

Through studying art and seeing a different perspective or practicing paint brush techniques—children gain skills and personal habits that help them in other areas of their education and life.

In addition, many students struggle with the structure and rigorous requirements of subjects like math, science or reading. But a child that loves to dance, draw or play an instrument can get lost in these activities for hours because they enjoy what they are doing. A child that has fun in creating a work of art or performing in a music or dance recital will learn the importance of perseverance, giving and receiving feedback, and the importance of dedication. A child’s self-confidence can’t help but flow into other areas his/her life.

So maybe the importance of art in a child’s education isn’t easily quantifiable or even going to provide the same benefits to each child. Perhaps the benefits of art education won’t sift out into a tidy equation. But, like art, the intangible skills, perspective and personal habits would be evident if children never got to experience, create or participate in it.

Introducing art in early education can contribute positively to*: 

• Fine motor skills. Grasping pencils, crayons, chalk and paintbrushes helps children develop their fine motor muscles. This development will help your child with writing, buttoning a coat and other tasks that require controlled movements.
• Cognitive development. Art can help children learn and practice skills like patterning and cause and effect (i.e., “If I push very hard with a crayon the color is darker.”). They can also practice critical thinking skills by making a mental plan or picture of what they intend to create and following through on their plan.
• Math skills. Children can learn, create and begin to understand concepts like size, shape, making comparisons, counting and spatial reasoning.
• Language skills. As children describe and share their artwork, as well as their process, they develop language skills. You can encourage this development by actively listening and asking open-ended questions in return. It is also a great opportunity to learn new vocabulary words regarding their project (i.e., texture). 

*Courtesy of Michigan State University. 

Suquamish Museum Features Children's Art

In recent years, school curricula in the United States have shifted heavily toward common core subjects of reading and math, but where does that leave the arts? 

The Suquamish Museum in Suquamish, Washington has found a way to make a lasting impression in its community and to a group of children learning the importance of artistic expression. 

Joanna Sharphead, a visitor services representative, worked with children and staff at the Marion Forsman-Boushie Early Learning Center to showcase artwork for the featured artist series at Suquamish Museum. 

Suquamish family celebrates their child's art
at the Suquamish Museum.

"While I was trying to decide which direction to go with our next artist for the Suquamish Museum's Featured Artist Series, Larry McGrady who is a child care teacher at the ELC pitched the idea of showcasing the ELC kids," said Sharphead. "He spoke passionately of their talent and what having their artwork displayed at the museum could do for their self-esteem. I was sold! We contacted Jeffrey Veregge who was the very first artist featured in this series and he offered to do an art workshop with the kids, which went great. Our main goal in having their artwork showcased is to let every child know how much their community, families, and guests of the museum appreciate their talent and creativity."

Children were invited to work with Veregge to create art for a special display. This exhibit will run through the end of June. For more information, check out the Suquamish Museum online or contact them here: (360) 394-8499.

All of our state's little learners can benefit from art in the classroom! The subject lends itself to cultural awareness and more. According to PBS, here is how:

Developmental Benefits of Art

• 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. 

• Language Development: For very young children, making art—or just talking about it—provides opportunities to learn words for colors, shapes and actions. 

• Decision Making: According to a report by Americans for the Arts, art education strengthens problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. 

Children's art featured at the Suquamish Museum.

• Visual Learning: Drawing, sculpting with clay and threading beads on a string all develop visual-spatial skills, which are more important than ever. 

• Inventiveness: 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. 

• Cultural Awareness: As we live in an increasingly diverse society, the images of different groups in the media may also present mixed messages. Teaching children to recognize the choices an artist or designer makes in portraying a subject helps kids understand the concept that what they see may be someone’s interpretation of reality.

• Improved Academic Performance: Studies show that there is a correlation between art and other achievement. A report by Americans for the Arts states that young people who participate regularly in the arts (three hours a day on three days each week through one full year) are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement, to participate in a math and science fair or to win an award for writing an essay or poem than children who do not participate.