Art-based Activities

A recent report by several independent researchers concludes that
participating in the arts nurtures the development of social, personal and
cognitive skills. Programs based on Arts can improve academic achievement
and decrease the tendency towards delinquency. It helps youth form
positive attitudes about themselves and build self-esteem.

Arts programs involve communication, interpretation and understanding of
complex symbols, much like mathematics and languages. Thus it fosters
higher-order analytical skills and skills of evaluation and synthesis.
Many of the programs make the child regularly use multiple skills thus
making him dynamic and versatile.

Development of imagination, judgment and philosophy are fringe benefits of
an arts-based activity. As opposed to the short 45-minute duration of the
art classes at school, the extra time allowed in after school activities
allows the child to get more involved. This results in more satisfactory
opportunities for development of latent capabilities in the child. In
turn, the child learns to set high standards of achievement. He
understands what sustained focus is and learns that regular practice is
the way to excellence.

In the shy or the withdrawn child, theatre, speech or drama lessons may be
an outlet for pent up emotions. As drama entails getting into the 'skin'
of another person, the child learns to verbalize emotions and express
thoughts. These reasons account for the popularity of arts-based
activities.

Other Articles:

A Home-based After School Program
After School Activities And Burnout
After School Activities And Relationship Building
After School Activities For The Overweight
After School Activity For The Hyperactive Child
After School Program - Recreational Vs. Educational
After School Programs And Discipline
After School Safety - Tips And Reminders
Art-based Activities
Benefits Of A Good After School Program
Boring After School Activities
Developmental After School Programs
Effective After School Activities
How Much Is Too Much?
How To Find After School Activities
Keeping Children Motivated
Need For After School Activities
Over-scheduling Kids
Potentials Of After School Programs
Quirky After School Programs
Reading Activities
Recreational After School Programs
School Based After-school Programs
Successful After School Programs
The Learning Environment
Too Much Of School