Setting children up for success in many areas of life is a top priority for most parents—and this of course includes their schooling. With that in mind, one way to prepare your children for the potentially challenging transition from summer break back to a school routine is with art projects. Creating art has multiple benefits for your child’s life, so this should come as no surprise! Today we’re discussing how to make this seasonal shift something fun and exciting for the whole family.
How Making Art With Kids Helps the Transition Back to Class
The transition from summer’s freedom, relaxation and play back into the regimented routine of a new school year can be difficult for both kids and parents. It is a known family stressor, as everyone must adjust to new sleep schedules, homework and study sessions, and extracurricular activities. This can notably cause anxiety in children, and this is also where creating art can help children ease back into a regular school routine.
Did you know that kids who create art feel more confident in school? It has been proven that participating in art programs increases children’s self-esteem, improves their problem-solving skills, and has positive effects on their overall academic performance. The following are a few ways that creating art with your kids can help everyone prepare for back-to-school.
Keeping a Schedule Is Important
Set up a scheduled time to do various art projects with your kids. While expecting events at certain times helps them get back on track, it’s also fun and doesn’t seem like “work” at all.
Doing these things together as a family helps everyone adjust to the new seasonal routine.
Helps With Decision Making
To implement these sessions most effectively (and incorporate multiple academic topics), you can ask the children to research what kinds of art they’d like to make that day or week. Give them a time-frame and a few choices, such as…
- Choose a medium: Would you rather make an art project that uses paint or colored pencils?
- Do you want to create three-dimensional art, or something on paper or canvas?
- How many projects do you want to create this week?
- Do you want to learn a new style like Pop Art, comic book art, or collages?
Giving children the opportunity to choose helps them buy into the project and gives them the chance to read, comprehend and gain research skills. These activities help children with their decision-making abilities.
Tie the Activities to School-Related Subjects
When creating projects such as geometric art, math plays a significant role. Including children in shopping lists for these projects helps them understand costs and budgets. Even the question of making two-dimensional or three-dimensional projects includes math, and there are many more ways it flows over into art. All of these steps add something to your child’s academic journey.
Art Is for All Ages
Being creative is open to everyone—people of all ages and all skill levels can enjoy participation, expression and continued learning. Find free online art lessons geared towards children to help you find suitable works for your family.
Ease Into Back-to-School With Free Kids’ Art Lessons
Since 2020, Golden Road Arts has provided free art lessons for children online. With these guided sessions geared towards elementary through middle school aged kids, there’s something for your family or classroom. Take advantage of this free resource to get the kids into back-to-school mode. Check out our free lessons, or support our work with a donation.
