Splashing Around The Preschool Colors

A paintbrush soaked in color is the best way to let the imagination of your child be splashed over a white canvas. The white sheet of canvas is like a vast terrain, where the fingers of children can paint their way to their own holistic development. Art is a major component of the curricula in several Upper West Side preschools in NYC. These preschools employ specific techniques to stimulate a child’s imagination and artistic creativity.

Painting, drawing, modeling clay, sketch books, crayons - all of these allow children the opportunities to express themselves, learn through exploration, and develop self-esteem. Art acts as a vent out for a child’s emotions. Observing, recognizing, and replicating several colors, shapes, forms, lines, and textures help preschoolers develop perceptual abilities. Various Upper West Side Preschools in NYC provide unique artistic activities within their programs to enhance the creative development of their students.

Benefits of art at preschools -

• Socio-emotional Development

Children tend to enjoy the kind of control they have over the art materials. The sense of emotional satisfaction involved in making art comes from the freedom they have in decision making. From ‘deciding’ what they make to ‘choosing’ the colors and tools to use - everything involves autonomous choices of a child. A young child thoroughly enjoys this kind of freedom in the form of certain decisions, such as to paint the sky green or brown, draw an elephant or a landscape, and many others.

• Cognitive Development

Creating art requires a child to make four major decisions. First, the decision of what to draw or paint. The selection of the topic reflects the child’s train of thought. Second, the decision of which media to employ. In this decision, the child arranges the objects in their creation, choose a perspective, and decide on which tools to use. The third decision involves evaluating the amount of time required to finish the project. And finally, the child usually wonders about how others will evaluate their artwork. 

These four decisions help children explore their sensory and cognitive skills. Art allows preschoolers to produce a vision expressing what they know or feel.

• Motor Development

The movement of arms, hands, wrists, and fingers required for painting or drawing on an easel or a small sheet of paper enhances muscle strength and motor coordination in preschoolers. It helps children develop eye-hand coordination that later helps them when they start writing.

The famous publisher, editor, and author Craig Sautter stated that the art-making also builds a child’s confidence and self-esteem by letting them express what they feel and by allowing them to receive appreciation in return. Group art activities also introduce children to important social skills like waiting for a turn and sharing things with others.

One renowned Upper West Side preschool, The Montclare Children’s School, integrates art into their curriculum further fostering the all-round growth and development of the child.