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The Importance of the Arts
Since the beginning of civilization, man has enriched his surroundings with the arts. Dance. Music. Painting. Sculpture. Drama. All are expressions of man’s relationship and understanding of his environment and emotions.
Experiencing and creating works of art benefit children in their intellectual, personal, and social development. Research shows strong relationships between learning in the arts and the fundamental skills used to master other core subjects such as reading and mathematics.
Many argue that one has to be born with an innate gift or talent in order to be artistic. While this may be true for professional artists, it is certainly not true for the masses. Children can learn the skills necessary to enjoy a lifetime of joy in the arts. Can’t play the piano? Try drums! Can’t draw a straight line? Try abstract art! Can’t dance on your tip toes? Try modern dance! Can’t perform in front of a crowd? Try set design!
The arts unlock our imaginations and stir us to pause, think and reflect. They are the foundation of invention and innovation, teaching us that such possibilities come from our thoughts and dreams. The arts build and mold civilization. The arts bring joy.
Developing Creativity
Creativity is a mental process involving the generation of new ideas or making new associations between old ones. There is no better way to develop creativity in a child than to allow free play.
When a child makes up his or her own game, or draws on a blank sheet of paper, or whistles an original tune, the brain is being exercised. New ideas are turned into reality. Imagination and production bring about a new world.
Brainstorming
All too often our children are taught to memorize and not to think. They will imitate instead of create. You can help your child to develop creative ideas by brainstorming. Brainstorming is usually a group activity, but your child already belongs to a valuable group—the family!
Brainstorm at dinner. Give the family a problem and let them discuss solutions. Have them project what personal transportation will be like in the future. Show them an obsolete piece of equipment and see if they can come up with its past use. Let them create a new game for the family to play, including goals and rules. Practice storytelling with each member of the family continuing the story around the table. During brainstorming, anything is possible and everything is right. It is a time to explore endless possibilities.
Getting Involved
There are many opportunities to engage in the arts at school, at church and in the community at little or no cost. You can provide similar opportunities at home. By doing so, you will give your child the chance to increase concentration, perform better at school, develop refined muscle coordination, and increase self esteem and self confidence.
The visual arts include drawing, painting and sculpture. Keep supplies on hand, and encourage your child to create his or her own world on paper.
Music may be composed, performed or directed. Get your child into a band or orchestra for the experience. Encourage them to sing and make up songs about their day.
Dance is simply another way to express life’s emotions and opinions or to simply tell a story. Dancing helps to build stronger and healthier bodies. It may take a great deal of discipline, or it can merely generate a lot of fun. Dance with your child.
Drama, or the theatrical arts, allow children to develop better communication skills. Let your child communicate with his or her words, expressions and movements. Get them involved in school or local productions, and let them put on a show at home.
All children need a variety of experiences to assist them in exploring their environment. Through art, children learn to value their own uniqueness and to appreciate the individuality of others. Art provides opportunities for creative expression and self discovery. Each work of art creates a tremendous sense of achievement and provides emotional satisfaction.
The arts teach children that problems can have more than one solution, that multiple perspectives can be celebrated and that we can share our ideas in an endless variety of ways. Embrace the arts in your home.
Parenting Tips
Frame your child’s artwork and hang it in the home.
Experiment with the various sounds that ordinary household objects make—then make music with them.
Borrow a video camera and let your child and his friends make a movie that tells a story.
Let your child make up a dance and teach it to the whole family.
Go to the library for books on art history. Discuss how classic works of art make you feel.
Go to museums, concerts, ballets, galleries and the theatre.
Keep paints, brushes, crayons, clay, scissors, blank paper, colored paper and glue on hand.
Rent a Karaoke machine for a birthday party.
When reading together, assign characters to family members and act the parts.
Avoid coloring books. Give your child blank paper instead.
Experiment with mixing colors to create new ones. Did you know that black paint mixed with yellow makes green?
Let your child paint with sponges and strings as well as with fingers and brushes.
Get paint chips from any store that sells paint for your child to make a mosaic.
Draw in the sand with your child at the beach.
Buy seasonal craft magazines for ideas that the whole family can do for holidays.
Check out classical music from your library and listen to it with your child. Discuss the emotions that it stirs.

21st Century Community Learning Centers of Elmore County Public Schools
Eclectic Middle School Site Director: La’Tresia Robinson 170 South Ann Street Eclectic, AL 36024 334-541-2131
Holtville Middle School Site Director: Amy Stewart 655 Bulldog Lane Deatsville, AL 36022 334-569-1596
Millbrook Middle-Junior High School Site Director: Ayena Jackson 4228 Chapman Road Millbrook, AL 36054 334-285-2100
Wetumpka Middle School Site Director: Ewell Fuller 1000 Micanopy Street Wetumpka, AL 36092 334-567-1413
21 CCLC Project Office Project Administrator: Carol Kelly ECTC - 800 Kelly Fitzpatrick Drive PO Box 817 Wetumpka, AL 36092 334-399-4013
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21CCLC) initiative is the only federal funding source dedicated exclusively to after school programs. An initiative of the NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND act, the 21CCLC programs of Alabama are supervised and administered by the Federal Programs department of the Alabama State Department of Education.

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It’s Apparent!

The Arts and
Creativity

Elmore County 21st Century Community Leaning Center Parenting Tips #03