Traditionally, art projects only had their place in art class. But using art in the classroom has benefits for the developing brain that go far beyond hand-eye coordination. In fact, for visual learners, art can be the difference towards a student’s success in class. Here are the benefits that students of all modalities can experience.
Engagement
The more ways that you can present material, the more ways a student can engage with it. This is particularly true in the case of choice.
The more choice we can give students, the more engaged they are in their learning. Art requires a constant stream of choices, from choosing a subject to capture to the selection of colors. The project truly becomes their own, and so does the learning.
Focus and concentration
More than ever, students find their concentration skills under attack. There are just too many distractions vying for their attention, even in classrooms where devices aren’t being used.
It’s hard to accomplish an art project without focus. The product becomes disjointed. This practice in focus can carry over to other classrooms. Plus, students get to enjoy a break from being constantly “on call.”
Problem solving and creative thinking
Even professional artists have things go wrong during a project. The ability to solve those problems can be the difference between a masterpiece and wasted time. Student artists are no different—except they are probably more likely to make mistakes.
Problem solving and critical thinking are two skills students should be practicing on a regular basis. Today’s workers need to be able to think on their feet, a skill that often comes in handy during an art project.
Time management
Unlike professional artists, students usually have a very limited amount of time in which to complete a project. This calls for time management, a skill many students lack when they start school. Make sure you give students a time limit at the beginning of a project so they can plan their strategy. Practicing those actions can pay dividends in every other class.
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