The children at Apple Hill Academy always enjoy art class. We like to encourage children to create because it helps with fine motor skills, neural development, and problem-solving abilities (not to mention that it’s just plain fun!) Neuroscientist Rex Jung Ph.D. defines creativity as “the production of something both novel and useful.” Rex teaches that the creative state of mind can be accessed and trained by everyone.
Other scholars have posed that having a creative mind is one of the gateways for “achieving success and remarkable progress in professional, personal and social life.”
Some theorists believe that mental processes are the essence of all creative endeavors. The idea is that creating art involves problem solving, concept formation, and thinking.
We think that in addition to fun, art can be used effectively to teach children other key subjects such as reading, writing, math, and science. Art is even used as a way for children to “process” their world so they can deal with some scary emotions in a safe way and communicate painful experiences. Although there are many psychological and emotional benefits to creating art — art is important for its own sake—as a source of beauty and expression. At Apple Hill Academy, the children we care for are a source of joy, and watching them create, is beautiful!
