The Role of Art in Social, Emotional Development

The National Endowment for the Arts research concludes that engagement in the arts during early childhood benefits children’s social and emotional development. Brain research has taught us that emotions create passion and meaning for learning.  This research points to the necessity of a safe and positive environment.  One of the perks of my job as art teacher is observing and experiencing students’ emotional and social involvement with art.  From JK3 to 5th grade there is an energy of delight and a “striving to work it out” as students discover, problem solve, and create meaningful visual and personal expressions.  I am convinced, without a doubt, of the relevance of art as a mechanism to enhance emotional and social development in children and “free up “ learning in other subjects.

Each child has different learning styles.  All learning styles are nurtured and beautifully challenged by the many subjects offered at ESK.  The arts foster and encourage connections to people, places, and nature giving value to different perspectives while simultaneously informing and cultivating each child’s intrinsic perspectives. What a gift it is to be a part of a community that honors and respects the development of the “whole” child.

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Today, we heard from ESK lower school art teacher Anna Calhoun and her thoughts on the impact that arts has on children early in life based on the recent article titled Arts Help Development of Social, Emotional Skills in Early Childhood from Education Week.