painted hands creativity
The arts: Every child benefits from participating. No child should ever be taught that he or she cannot sing or draw or act. Every child has a special inner creativity that can be nurtured.
“I don’t think one art form is better than the other. I think children should be exposed to a wide variety of arts often,” says Mary Leonard, a theatre arts professor. “Some children will shine in a painting class while others can’t stop singing or playing an instrument. The individual child will discover his/her own talents and passions for art, music, and drama.”
Take a look below at the great benefits the arts – visual, drama, music, and dance – can give your children. As parents, you can find a program that fits your child and your family lifestyle.
Experts from their fields offer great tips to assist you in helping your child to discover the arts as a great way to learn and to have fun – for a lifetime. “My daughters hang around my rehearsals when I am directing,” Leonard says.
Drama/Visual arts/overall arts
Source: Mary Leonard, professor of theatre arts, teaches a wide variety of acting class, and directs two to three productions each year. She directs a summer camp that uses music and drama as a foundation for children to explore and develop their creative potential.
Major benefits: Exposing children to the arts is crucial. Children often make great strides in their physical and emotional development when exposed to the fine arts. They learn to think creatively and work together with others. They gain confidence and learn life skills.
Ideal ages to begin: She works mainly with children 5 to 11, but knows various arts begin for toddlers. Ready or not? Each child is different. Even if kids don’t want to participate firsthand in the arts, they should be exposed as an avid spectator, such as attending art galleries, concerts, plays, and other events.
Best advice: Allow your children to try an instrument or join a singing group or addition for a play. Encourage them to take a class or attend an artistic event. Support them in their efforts even if you have no interest or ability yourself. You may be unlocking a door for that child that’s rich with future possibilities. A child may not want to pursue a career in the arts, but he/she needs artistic nourishment to thrive as a well-rounded human being.
Music Lessons
Source: Mary J. Tollefson, 22 years as a professional music teacher and 38 years of involvement in piano. At a university, she teaches piano, group piano, piano pedagogy, and music appreciation.
Major benefits: Creativity and enjoyment of the arts; develops fine motor and listening skills; fosters discipline and brain development. Music is an aural art; it helps students learn to listen in ways that other arts do not require to appreciate. Music is a collaborative; students learn to work together in a very creative way to create something bigger than their individual contributions.
Ideal ages to begin: Ages vary. Kindermusik is one example of a program that begins for 2 year olds and up. For piano, the Suzuki method recommends starting ages 3 to 4. Most traditional piano methods recommend 5 to 6 years old; take into consideration your child’s ability to sit for at least a half hour lesson. Some piano teachers require students to know the alphabet and/or read. For violin and other string instruments, kids can start as early as 4, but smaller versions are used. Most children begin band instruments in fifth grade because of the instrument’s size and the child’s breathing capacity.
Best advice: Enjoy the art of music with them. Sit down and listen to them play the piano or whatever instrument they’re enjoying. Give them your full attention when they’re performing music. Ask them questions about their music and praise them when they do practice. Take them to concerts and recitals.
Other tips: Communicate with the teacher. The same assignment given to three students may be overwhelming for one child, while another needs more challenges. Sometimes a little feedback to the teacher is helpful. If a child seems reluctant to practice, start with a very short period of time. This depends on the student’s level and amount of assigned music. Ask them to practice more often rather than all at one time during the day. For example, ask them to practice while the pizza finishes baking. Younger students can understand that isn’t too long. Find a teacher who has definite expectations and goals, but clearly enjoys sharing music.
Dance Classes
Source: Mary Beth Maynard, owner/director of Dance Quest International; studied dance since she was a young child; worked as a dance instructor for more than 17 years; danced in several special performances at DisneyWorld.
Major benefits: Correct body posture, muscle discipline, balance, coordination, flexibility, grace, and showmanship. It’s a great physical activity as an aerobic workout. Many dance programs encourage a proper diet to support this activity. Beyond the physical, dance instruction develops discipline, love, and self-worth, while enhancing children’s personalities, character, and social and spiritual growth.
Ideal ages to begin: Success can happen at most ages: Whether it’s a 2 year old exploring dance for the first time, or a teenager giving dance a test, most discover within the first six months if dance is her or his thing. A 5- or 6-year-old (around this age range) may have the greatest chance of really developing a love for dance, because this is the age when you see technique truly developed.
Best advice for parents: Stay involved by watching classes and performances and having weekly open discussions about classes. Stay away from being the critic. Let the child’s teacher do that. Just be their biggest support and cheerleader. Share in their excitement for what takes place in their growth and accomplishments.
Keep your child in ballet as the foundational discipline of dance for as long as possible. Other studies of dance will be easier to attain with a strong background in ballet.
Other tips: Be diligent in teaching your child to commit to attending dance class – or any arts class - for a season or set amount of time before quitting.
“Unfortunately, this is a growing issue for children today in our society. The downside to giving in to your child’s request to quitting is they’ve lost the experience and lesson of commitment - and possibly an opportunity to truly fall in love with dance and discover their gift in dance,” Maynard says.
That goes for any experience (in arts and sports) – stay strong in maintaining that your children keep their commitment for the season or school year. In the end, after they get over the rough spots, they may thank you at the end and eagerly sign up for next session. It’s a vital life lesson: Don’t quit.
Kim Seidel is an award-winning, professional writer and editor and the mother of two daughters, both of whom are involved in the arts in various ways, including dance, drama, music, jewelry making and photography. Visit her website at www.seidelink.com.