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Parents and educators often view creative activities simply as something fun to do in between the more serious pursuits of math, science, and reading. That’s the wrong approach, especially for children with learning disabilities such as dyslexia, attention deficit disorder, and dyscalculia who may not thrive in a traditional classroom environment where the teacher dictates a lesson on a whiteboard and the students quietly follow along.
The truth is that music, painting, and other art forms help special needs children develop their motor skills, learn to concentrate, and build invaluable self-confidence all while using their imaginations, expressing their emotions, and having fun, and this promotes the healthy physical and cognitive development that’s necessary for their future well-being. With less and less help from the schools, it’s up to you to get them involved in the arts. Here are some suggestions.
Music
Simply by playing a variety of music at home, you can develop a healthy interest in learning an instrument. This helps kids’ cognitive development by improving their attention, concentration, impulse control, self-esteem, motivation, and memory, writes Tanuja Gomes, the founder of Furtados School of Music. As far as which instrument is best, let your kid’s personality guide you while bearing their physical limits such as weight and height in mind. If you child likes the sound of a saxophone, for example, considering renting a sax from a local music store to let him/her try it.
Painting
It all starts at a very young age with finger paint and crayons. You can even create a small studio in your home where they’ll find all of the materials they need and previous works hung up on the wall for inspiration. You’ll find that expressing their emotions on paper will help your children advance their motor skills while putting a smile on their faces.
Pottery
Little children love playing with clay, and they can make that small leap into creating vessels and figurines with a just little bit of encouragement and instruction. According to Patty Storms of Lakeside Pottery Studio, this art form contributes greatly to sensory development and motor skills while boosting their self-esteem and encouraging emotional expression. If you’re interested in getting your child started, an internet search will lead you to studios and instructors that teach pottery to children of all ages.
Textile Arts
This is another wonderful outlet for tactical learners who explore the world through their hands. Besides helping to fine-tune their hand-eye coordination, it also encourages children to follow step-by-step instructions as they turn simple pieces of fabric into colorful works of art, blankets, stuffed animals, and even items of clothing. With a little bit of experience in needlework, you can be their guide, and there are a number of projects to start with online.
Dance
Dance is also wonderful for kids who struggle with traditional education. One practitioner with Dance Your Feelings explains how it focuses on the “emotional and spontaneous characteristics of movement” rather than any artistic orientation. This helps kids overcome cognitive impairments by relieving emotional stress and providing a source of pleasure with every step.
Cooking
Don’t forget the culinary arts! They’re as creative as they are tasty and may inspire a lifelong passion for food that leads to an interesting — and lucrative — career in the restaurant industry. Chances are you can set your kids off on their educational journey by teaching them the basics in the comfort of your own kitchen. As they advance, there are plenty of exciting and exotic recipes that you can explore together.
By diving into the arts, you’ll have the pleasure of seeing your child’s face light up with smiles as they learn and grow, and who could say no to that.
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