Why does Visual Art feature in every culture, in each part of our world?
It is undeniably a vital part of our lives. But did you know the way visual art affects a young child’s mind?
Academicians around the world have been using visual art to educate, develop and soothe children’s minds in the following ways:
- By creating a deeper memory bank
If you wish to enter any information into a child’s mind, offer that data via some visual artform. It’s easier for a child’s mind to absorb an image than realms of written or spoken information.
Any child will show you a longer attention span when shown visual art, and will also be able to retain and reproduce that information more easily. This is especially relevant to those children
- By improving mood and emotional state
A young, agitated mind will calm down readily when seeing or creating some visual art. These activities absorb a child and give him or her an avenue to express themselves.
Certain colour palettes are also helpful in elevating a child’s mood or fixing restlessness. Light blue and purple shades release calming hormones as do light pink and rose colours.
- By initiating aesthetic exploration
Beautiful, balanced aesthetics give children the talent to appreciate positive visuals and environments. They can encourage them to further beatify, re-arrange or create new design ideas.
When a child’s mind is trained to draw, paint or appreciate contrasting colours, textures, and shapes, other faculties of his or her mind develop and grow.
- By healing trauma and anxiety
Visual art can assist children to heal their trauma in two ways. Firstly, a child is able to express his or her tragic story better by drawing or painting it. This offers a release and gives doctors, teachers or psychiatrists an insight into the real problems affecting hurt children.
Secondly, positive images can help replace dark, troubling memories if shown often enough. Since a child’s mind is in its developmental stage till the age of 8 to 10, therapeutic steps can be taken prior to this time using visual art therapy.
- By triggering future planning
Visual art created by another individual in the form of paintings or photographs can inspire children to create hopeful dreams. Art created by children can be based on what they like, wish to achieve and aspire to gain.
Visual art in the form of visionary boards is a popular motivational tool for children and adults alike. These boards can consist of pictures cut out from magazines, downloaded online or drawn by hand. Seeing positive imagery can program the young mind to follow their dreams and work towards achieving goals.
Hence, visual art is a powerful tool that has multiple benefits and no negative side effects. It is being utilised as part of many school curriculum and there are numerous digital art technology tools that make it even more fun and beneficial for today’s young minds.