Art-based child care programs include many activities that help children develop socially, emotionally, cognitively and physically. Creating, experiencing, and enjoying art also stimulates brain growth.

Many arts-based education programs include a mixture of:

• The visual arts, such as sculpture, painting, weaving, drawing, mosaic-making and collage
• Dance and movement
• Storytelling, which may include the dramatic arts and writing
• Music, including singing and playing instruments.

These activities help children develop:

• Fine motor skills, used in writing and drawing, grasping objects, and using scissors
• Large muscles, which build strength, balance and coordination
• A strong vocabulary, which helps with reading, writing and communication
• Emotional intelligence, and a strong sense of self
• Social and cultural awareness
• Problem-solving skills

In many arts-based programs, children’s artwork is displayed thoughtfully. This helps children develop a sense of pride in their work and to develop a sense of appreciation for the work of others.

Arts-based approaches to learning are common in many early education programs, including:

• Montessori
• Waldorf
• Reggio Emilia
• Child-directed

Art education is also common in kindergarten and Pre-K classes. Friedrich Froebel, the “father” of Kindergarten, believed that art was central to a child’s development. For him, art wasn’t just a way to entertain children or pass the time—it was a central method for helping children develop fully. 

Sources:

https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/tyc/feb2014/process-art-experiences

http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=113

https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/the-importance-of-art-in-child-development