Kids Can Thrive in the Arts

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Kids Can Thrive in the Arts
 
Math, science and reading can be difficult for some children, especially those who suffer from learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dyscalculia or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. But there are disciplines where they can succeed and even surpass their peers with the right guidance and instruction, and those include the arts.
 
Unfortunately, schools across the nation have cut funding for these activities. They’re often deemed non-essential for growing up and finding a job, and that’s a shame. The arts have so many mental health benefits to offer because they aid in cognitive development and provide valuable self-confidence. It may be up to you to get your children involved, so here are some suggestions.
 
Set Up a Home Studio
 
Imagine a small corner of the house complete with a table, a chair, and a variety of supplies. Think pencils, pipe cleaners, and paints. Wouldn’t you have loved that when you were a child? You now have the power to make it a reality for your own child. Choose an area that has good natural lighting that you don’t mind getting a little dirty. Messes are inevitable!  Most importantly, set aside time each week to use the space for different arts and crafts. From paper bag puppets to homemade decorations to painted masterpieces, each activity will help your child develop patience and new skills.
 
Play Around With Clay
 
This should definitely be one of the supplies that you keep stocked in your studio. Chances are your child would love the feel of wet clay slipping through their fingers, and the next logical step is fashioning vessels from it. According to the Good Dirt LA pottery studio, this ancient art allows youngsters to blow off some steam while expressing their creativity. In fact, the studio doesn’t allow parents to be present during their kids’ classes so they don’t feel inhibited.
 
See a Symphony Together
 
Besides the works of masters including Mozart, Beethoven and Debussy, your child will also hear a variety of instruments they’re never been exposed to listening to the radio. This is likely to pique their interest in the cello, flute or even tuba, after which you only need to find a tutor to give them lessons a few times a week. Those will pay off in far more than talent because playing music has been linked to cognitive development and increased memory in a number of studies, say the art experts at Budsies.
 
Visit a Dance Studio
 
Children are already naturals at rhythmic movement if you’ve ever observed them stepping, clapping, swaying and spinning to no music at all in almost any open space they find. When you take them to a dance studio, their eyes will light up. Though it’s common to take little girls to ballet lessons, boys are allowed to dance too! There are a wide variety of other styles to choose from including jazz, hip-hop and aerobic. Let them watch, try and choose for themselves.
 
Check Out the Streets
 
The city is alive with art if you know when and where to look, and it’s not always what you expect. Though they’ve been around for ages, the Vancouver Art Gallery is a great place to tour different exhibitions that have throughout the year.
 
Learn Knitting Together
 
This skill has been passed on from mother to child from time immemorial, and there’s no reason that should change. If you don’t know how, now’s the time to learn together with your daughter or son, as more and more men and boys are also finding joy in knitting. You could ask a friend or relative to introduce you to the basics or go online for an introduction. You’ll discover for yourself the therapeutic benefits of this art from, as will your child.
 
Take these steps, and you’ll open an entire world of joy and fulfillment to your child in which their learning disability means nothing. It could be the greatest gift you ever give them, so don’t wait another day.
 
Image via Pixabay.