Why Does Art Even Matter?

Why should my child even have art education at the elementary level? Wouldn’t it be more beneficial to send them to extra math, science, or reading classes? Art class is like another recess or free time, right?

I’m sure some of these questions, or questions like it, have run through your head before. I’m here to explain just how beneficial elementary art education can be for your child!

Here's a list explaining some of the benefits of Art Education!

- Children learn the valuable skills of critical thinking.

- Art can help to develop children's fine motor skills.

- Children learn how to collaborate.

- Art education can connect cultures and backgrounds from around the world.

- Children apply knowledge (from art and other disciplines) to kinesthetic actions.

- Art classrooms provide a place for visual and kinesthetic learners to thrive.

- Art classes are proven to help standardized testing scores improve (although I do not believe this should be the main/only reason for keeping art education)

- Art can be an emotional outlet for students. Art can reach students who are dealing and coping with difficult emotions in ways that other classes cannot.

I have nothing against subjects such as math and science where there is a yes or no answer for almost everything. In fact, classes like that are needed! Although art is not that kind of class. Art is a subject where children can explore answers beyond yes or no. In projects, they are given certain parameters or a certain solution to obtain, and then they must work trial and error, to get there, problem solving every step of the way. Also, children can use higher levels of thinking in art class, challenging them to apply, synthesize, and create.

Art is a great subject to be used to help enforce interdisciplinary studies. Students are required to use skills and techniques used in other classes in the art room.
When applying skills learned in other classes, children may retain the information better because they have applied that knowledge to kinesthetic actions.