Art is clearly associated with creativity, self-expression and imagination, but it’s also an essential part of physical development for young children. As children engage with free online art classes or in-person workshops they are practicing crucial fine motor skills, and developing many other practical abilities. With the right guidance, the skills children learn while painting extend beyond an art class to cover many aspects of their daily lives.
Top Ways Painting Helps Students Develop Fine Motor Skills
A love for drawing and painting often begins in a person’s younger years. Introducing a child to art at an early age means they can realize many benefits throughout their lifetime.
Refines Hand-Eye Coordination
In the early years, kids often struggle to perform hand movements that align with what their eyes are seeing. Because painting offers immediate feedback, it allows children to see when they’re getting the effect they want. “Coloring inside the lines” is a simple yet engaging project for children to try. Using simple shapes, a child can practice filling in the space as their hand-eye coordination improves.
Improves Hand and Finger Strength
Holding a brush might be challenging at first, yet children will gradually grow comfortable as they strengthen their hand and finger muscles. The development that takes place in these early years helps with cutting, gripping and writing, and allows children to improve their precision over time. To help a child get started, try one of our easy watercolor painting techniques for kids.
Increases Tactile Perception
Using sponge art, finger painting and textured paper are just some of the ingredients that help children develop their tactile perception. As a child gets used to different textures and how pressure impacts the appearance of the paint, their fine motor skills will become more refined.
Improves Grip and Control
Using different brush sizes helps children adjust their grip to get the most control. While the brush may lack stability at first, children will gradually become more comfortable with the hand motion needed to paint lines and shapes. To help young children develop their grip, it can be helpful to introduce thinner brushes as they gain more control.
Encourages Wrist Stability
Strengthening the wrist muscles and improving stability is essential for tasks like writing, cutting, holding utensils and buttoning clothes. Practicing horizontal and vertical brushstrokes enhances wrist flexibility so that children can perform fine motor tasks for longer periods without becoming tired. To support this development, use larger canvases that encourage more fluid movements.
Adds Extra Control and Precision
Another reason that kids need art for their development is so they may add precision to their work. Young children will often start with simple lines and limited colors, and as they refine their skills they can create more intricate designs to match their vision. A fun project that supports this development is painting within smaller shapes, as this requires focused, more detailed brushwork.
Browse Free Art Lessons for Elementary School Students
Instructional art tutorials help children improve fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, as well as other developmental skills. Golden Road Arts creates a range of hands-on guides for elementary and middle school kids. Watch free art lessons now.
