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Art-based
activities
A recent report by several independent researchers concludes that
participating in the arts nurtures the development of social,
personal and
cognitive skills. Programs based on Arts can improve academic
achievement and decrease the tendency towards delinquency. It helps
youth form positive attitudes about themselves and build
self-esteem.
Arts programs involve communication, interpretation and
understanding of
complex symbols, much like mathematics and languages. Thus it
fosters
higher-order analytical skills and skills of evaluation and
synthesis.
Many of the programs make the child regularly use multiple skills
thus
making him dynamic and versatile.
Development of imagination, judgment and philosophy are fringe
benefits of an arts-based activity. As opposed to the short
45-minute duration of the art classes at school, the extra time
allowed in after school activities
allows the child to get more involved. This results in more
satisfactory
opportunities for development of latent capabilities in the child.
In
turn, the child learns to set high standards of achievement. He
understands what sustained focus is and learns that regular practice
is
the way to excellence.
In the shy or the withdrawn child, theatre, speech or drama lessons
may be an outlet for pent up emotions. As drama entails getting into
the 'skin'
of another person, the child learns to verbalize emotions and
express
thoughts. These reasons account for the popularity of arts-based
activities.
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