The Art of Learning: Children and the Arts

Art is crucial for children with learning disabilities. There are several ways your child can get involved in the arts and benefit from doing so, some of which are covered below in this article.

Getting Them Involved

• Painting. Identify their skills to enable you to know where to start. If they struggle with the fundamentals, abstract art would be a great place to begin. They may look at it as being too juvenile, but if you can convince them to experiment, their confidence will grow and allow them to pursue additional art skills. Because there’s no wrong or right way where art is concerned, they don’t have to worry that their work won’t be as good as others. And besides boosting self-esteem, this form of art can help them communicate and express thoughts and feelings in a way that makes sense to them.

• Music. Using a child’s favorite song is an excellent way to involve them in music. You can provide them with pictures that relate to the main characters, objects, and places from the song and get them to select the right images as you sing the words. Children with learning difficulties, such as ADHD, may see a significant improvement in levels of concentration, impulse control, social functioning, and self-expression when learning to play an instrument.

• Dance. Many dance companies, studios, and workshops provide classes for children with learning difficulties. Your child will feel less overwhelmed if they’re among children facing the same or similar issues. The activity can not only help with overall physical fitness, but it’s also an excellent outlet for creativity and imagination. It can improve strength and motor skills and is a perfect way of relieving stress.

• Crafts. A box can be the beginning of an incredible adventure when it comes to crafts. You and your child can turn a box into a firetruck that you can paint bright red or a picnic table where you can place paper-mâché burgers, felt-made pizzas, clay biscuits, and paper cupcakes. The possibilities are endless. With regular practice, children with learning difficulties will see an improvement in their hand-to-eye coordination, increased dexterity, and a boost in self-esteem.

Design a Dedicated Space

If you want your children to be able to explore their artistic interests and develop their talents, one of the best ways to do this is to create an art room for them. It doesn’t have to be big or fancy—just a dedicated space for them to create. Stock it with simple supplies like paper, crayons, and markers. Encourage them to experiment with different mediums. And most importantly, don’t be afraid to get messy! An art room is a place for your children to let their imaginations run wild.

When designing your art room, consider making it a multifunctional space that could raise the value of your home. Be sure to document any upgrades you make by taking photos and keeping receipts.

Take Your New Skill to Another Level

While you’ve been sharing the benefits of your creative skills with your children, you may have considered taking it to another level by teaching lessons of your own to other kids. If you have, then consider registering your new business as a limited liability company (LLC). You’ll benefit from liability protection for your personal assets and certain tax advantages. When you start an LLC, be sure to check the regulations in your state, and if you prefer to leave the legwork to someone else, you can use a formation service to avoid expensive lawyer’s fees.

Friendships and Development

Involving your child in the arts not only provides them with an enjoyable pastime, but it also teaches them essential life skills and offers the opportunity to build new friendships.

Tina A Stoffel specializes in uplifting seascape and wildlife oil paintings. Visit her site to view and purchase unique and timeless pieces.

Guest Post was written by Lillian Brooks at https://learningdisabilities.info/