What Are the Benefits of Art Education for Children?
The entertainment value of art education leads some administrators and community members to overlook the other benefits of the class. Art programs are sometimes scaled back or eliminated when budget cuts are necessary. The enjoyment of art education is only one beneficial aspect for kids. Skills developed in art education often transfer to other areas of life and school work.
Art Contributes to Fine Motor Skill Development & Hand-Eye Coordination
Art projects often require kids to use their fine motor skills to complete tasks. Holding a narrow paint brush, cutting with scissors and sculpting clay are a few examples of art activities that use fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. By participating in open-ended art projects, the kids get a chance to practice those skills without being judged on the outcome. The more often they practice the fine motor skills, the more improved they become. The improved fine motor control carries over to other situations that require hand-eye coordination and other precise movements.
Art Stimulates Creativity and Problem-Solving Skills
An art project begins with a creative spark and lets kids bring their imagination to life, but it also strengthens their logical thinking skills too!
You’ve probably heard about the somewhat-debunked right brain, left brain theory. The idea was that creative people were “right-brained” because the right brain is more visual and artistic, while the left brain is verbal, analytical, and detail-oriented. The truth is that both sides work together, and art is an excellent tool for helping kids take a creative concept from start to finish, work through artistic challenges and mistakes, and have fun while learning.
Art Helps with Concentration
The enjoyable nature of art projects engages most students. Because they enjoy the artwork, they are better able to concentrate on the task, sticking with it from beginning to end. Finishing the project gives the kids a sense of accomplishment, which can be particularly empowering for kids who have struggled in other areas of school.
Art Promotes Self-Esteem and Self-Expression
Most subjects in the educational system are based on facts, with correct and incorrect answers. Art education offers a more open approach and celebrates the differences in finished products. Kids learn that there is more than one way to complete the art project. They are able to express themselves and their emotions through the artwork. Students also have the opportunity to interpret other artwork, either from classmates or in famous works of art.
Children thrive when they can practice decision-making and express themselves without worrying about a right or wrong answer. They can learn how to trust themselves and communicate their thoughts and feelings with art.
Unlike schoolwork, there’s no “good” or “bad,” to worry about — it’s all about their vision and goals. There may be a few rules like, "Paint only on the canvas,” but otherwise the final product is completely in their hands. The more they can freely practice self-expression, the more confident they’ll feel. It’s also a great language development opportunity because they can pick up new art terms along the way.
Risk-Taking
The open-ended nature of art education also allows kids to take more risks in their projects. Because there is flexibility in the outcome, kids don’t feel as much pressure as they create. They know that the finished product will be accepted even if it doesn’t look exactly like all of the others. This can help kids build a sense of confidence that may carry over to other areas.
Art Builds Memory and Self-Control
Here’s another benefit of art for children: Having strong visual-spatial abilities also leads to better memory and self-control.
When creating an art piece, children naturally work on self-discipline. They can't jump into any approach, color, or technique they feel like if they want a painting that looks like a pair of cute monkey or a gnome. If they’re painting from memory, they’ll work on recalling images. And if they’re watching a video or in-person teacher, they’ll practice remembering and following instructions. Painting parties engage school-age artists and adults alike for family nights, birthday parties, play dates, and more, while building these critical-thinking skills.
Art Provides Rest, Relaxation, and Reward
Studies have shown that art making decreases stress levels and lowers anxiety, helping with a child’s overall mental health. Creativity — whether your little artist is doodling, sculpting with clay, or making noodle art — also activates the reward centers in the brain. For young people, this means that arts and crafts activities make them feel good and help them naturally relax. They walk away with a sense of accomplishment and the motivation to get creative again. If you’re searching for a win-win group activity, art could be just the thing. It’s a great opportunity to improve children’s social skills in a positive setting, whether with friends, family, or classmates.
Art Connects Kids to People and the World
Art is a universal language and acts like a gateway to cultural awareness. Children and teens don’t need any special knowledge to enjoy visual arts from different cultures or time periods. When kids start making their own art, they naturally become curious and excited about other people’s art — especially if it’s a familiar style, medium, or subject. The creative process helps establish a lasting affinity for arts and culture in kids that’s vital to connecting to new people. The study we mentioned earlier even showed that art programs made students more likely to be empathetic and open-minded.