The Arts; Self Esteem 9

The Arts

Exposure to the arts helps children develop brain areas involved in language, reasoning, and refines cognitive skills.  Students of the arts learn to think creatively, which helps problem solving.  Studies show that children who study the arts are more successful on standardized tests, such as the SAT.  Exposure to the arts provides children a look at different cultures and teaches them to be empathetic.  The arts provide children a way to be self expressive and promotes confidence.

Freeze Dance

Play music and children dance, stop music and children freeze...  Use a variety of different styles of music from pop to classical.  You may want to start with a song well liked and familiar to the children and later add different styles of music, from country to folk songs of other countries.  

Traditional dances lessons are a good way to keep your child active.  Dance lessons are not just for competition and winning trophies.  They instill confidence, focus, and discipline.  Dancing increases expressive and verbal vocabulary.

Music
Listen to music, sing songs, or march to music with store bought, or homemade musical instruments made out of bells, or oatmeal container drums.

Taking instrumental music or singing lessons are beneficial.  Learning a piece of music instills patience and confidence.  The vibration of an instrument against a player's body can significantly lower a persons stress level.

Arts and Crafts
Introducing and involving children in craft projects will promote interest in their thoughts about the arts.  Through art children can learn to think creatively.  Young children are already highly creative, and art can help to push their boundaries to think outside of the box as they grow up.  Creating something artistic on their own can give children the sense of accomplishment.  Take children to art museums for enrichment!

Puzzle: Make a puzzle out of a favorite photo or picture.  Print out the photo on an 8 x 11-inch piece of paper.  Glue the printout onto a sturdy piece of cardboard.  On the back draw shape pieces, and then cut out.  

Flower Chain: Find a flower stencil and copy it in different sizes.  Glue flower pieces on cardboard and cut out to use as a master pattern.  Trace patterns on card stock that is plain or has a pattern.  Glue flower pieces together in descending order.  Fold flower peddles upward.  When the glue is dry, glue the flowers on a ribbon.  For more flower patterns look for outlines on the Internet and use coloring pages.