It is already here for some, and almost here for others. It’s the three months of the year when many families explore, relax, renew and bond in a way that is different from the cooler months of the year. You know what I’m talking about – summer vacation. Summer has special meaning for children. Travel, free time, and an open and relaxed mind are some prime ingredients for creativity.
Research shows that few activities help drive creativity in seemingly unrelated fields– engineering, technology, medicine – than art.
Creating art is sometimes best done away from school. Schools teach real skills, but getting away from the classroom can remove a structure that can sometimes be restrictive. Leaving those structures can be a huge boost to creativity. Seeing new places, discovering exciting activities, or meeting new people can be the foundations of creativity. This is really important for young lives
In her 2012 book Young Children and the Arts: Nurturing Imagination and Creativity, Professor Carol Korn-Bursztyn says that art is the foundation of learning and developing creativity. This includes not just visual arts, but also performing, language, music, and many other forms of art. When children work in an artistic mode, it encourages cognitive development that not only improves intellectual and leadership skills, but increases confidence and security in their own decisions that continue to strengthen as they grow older.
This summer, The ARTree has programs that can help your children find their creativity with programs that will introduce them to basic techniques in watercolor, sculpture, mosaic and performance. See our schedule at www.TheARTree.org. Also, join us on the 4th Thursdays of each month for our speaker series at the Old Town Newhall Library, featuring influential artists, film-makers and community leaders.
Make way for a creative summer vacation.