The arts are for everyone, although we may enjoy them in different ways. A child with learning disabilities can greatly benefit from art activities, whether they involve creating, participating, or observing. Reinforcing other classroom lessons with art activities is a powerful way to increase retention of the material. Particularly for a child who struggles academically, it’s important to have some fun endeavors that bring joy and build confidence. If you’re looking to help your child expand their horizons through the arts, here are some great tips to share.

Music and Dance

Most kids enjoy some type of movement. Dancing can enhance self-expression, motor skills, rhythm skills, and the ability to follow directions, which is particularly important for children with learning disabilities. Music goes hand in glove with dancing and can help with cognitive ability, spatial relations, IQ, and even language development. The benefits of learning to play a musical instrument can extend to classroom achievement as it has been documented to help with reading and math skills, as well as memory and perseverance.

Other Performance Arts

Acting in plays, singing, dancing, playwriting, story-telling, improvisation, and stand-up comedy can all help to increase a child’s confidence, and there is also evidence that they can improve academic performance. If your child isn’t interested in performing on stage, they might enjoy watching plays or helping with costumes, scenery, or props.

Painting and Drawing

Drawing and painting can help develop fine motor skills, concentration, and confidence. They can also be wonderful outlets for self-expression. Many children already enjoy drawing, so increased time with crayons, pencils, and paper may be an easy sell. Letting them try other mediums, such as pastels, various types of paint, and charcoal drawing pencils will add to the appeal.

Crafts

Creating objects with three dimensions has a great appeal for many children. Whether they are building a birdhouse, working with modeling clay, or folding origami, crafts are a wonderful way to develop problem-solving skills as well as spatial relations ability. You might consider devoting a room in your home to arts and crafts. Having a special place to work on projects and store the needed supplies can be helpful.

Show Them How It’s Done by Starting a Business

Your own participation and enthusiasm in projects involving the arts will be a huge selling point with your child, so be sure to get involved yourself, and share with them what you enjoy about the activity. You may find that you enjoy the process enough that you’d like to teach lessons to others, beyond your own children. If you decide to create your own teaching business, consider forming a limited liability corporation, or LLC. Forming an LLC has a number of benefits: It can help streamline paperwork, has tax advantages, and can protect your assets by separating the business finances from the rest of your money. Simplify the process by working with a reputable formation service. Before choosing a service, read reviews on the best LLC services.

Exposure is a Great Way to Begin

While you may already be aware that your child is more of a visual, auditory, or kinetic learner, it’s a good idea to let them choose the art or arts they would enjoy most. Exposure is key, so be sure to create opportunities for them to see plays and art exhibits, listen to music, and try their hand at various crafts. Going to a music store where they can see and handle various instruments is a good idea, too. While they may enjoy several types of activities, it will likely be easy to see what they want to do most. Incorporating the arts into your child’s life can be done gradually, in ways that seem more like fun than studying. They’ll be having fun while developing critical skills that will benefit them in the regular classroom. You may also enjoy the process and want to be a part of it in an ongoing way. You may even have the opportunity to start an art-related business!

Art is a wonderful medium for self-expression and learning. If you have a child with a learning disability, discovering art can mean a world of difference to their quality of life. Here are a few ways you can expose your child to art.
 
At Home
 
Introducing your child to art at home can be an effective starting point. Your child may be more at ease in their home, where you can set parameters that will keep them comfortable and stress free. Learning art at home can also let you control how your child discovers art. You might use YouTube, as well as child-friendly websites for instructions and guides. Developing a hobby room could aid in creating a safe space free of distraction and stress where they can best focus on creativity. Fill the room with a variety of art supplies to encourage your child to experiment in different styles. You could dedicate a wall or fixture to display their works. Choose surfaces that can be cleaned easily, and place storage boxes so that the room remains organized and spacious. A hobby room has the added benefit of containing the inevitable messes that come up during an art session.
 
Galleries and Museums
 
One excellent way to stimulate interest in art is through galleries and museums. This can be a highly visual approach, offering a wide range of different styles and artistic approaches. Museums and galleries can provide engaging lessons about the history of art in a way that is accessible and fun. Importantly, they encourage questions and curiosity that may creatively inspire and awaken a passion for art. Some establishments have their own workshops and events specially designed for children with learning disabilities, as well as programs that offer more sensory and visually oriented approaches to learning.
 
Art Therapy
 
Another route that could be taken is art therapy. This is a process that can take place in various settings and may prove beneficial in not only exposing your child to art, but in improving self-esteem and interpersonal skills. Art therapists are trained to nurture curiosity and encourage a full range of expression that may help develop better self-awareness and the processing of emotions. The environment that a trained therapist can create may aid in reducing stress and anxiety, as well as help improve focus. Many different types of art can be explored, from clay sculpting to coloring mandalas.
 
Art Classes
 
Finding classes that provide a safe and positive environment for children may also nurture interest in art. Children can thrive in places where they are able to make new friends and learn without pressure and stress. After-school pursuits may help in making learning about art fun and accessible, while also giving your child valuable experience in collaborating with others. Organizations like the Girl Scouts of America and the YMCA, as well as museums, offer opportunities for such creative pursuits. Consult with your local library or your child's school to see if there are other resources available.
 
Participate With Your Child
 
No matter how you expose your child to art, showing them support and love as they explore their creativity will be a fantastic way to motivate them. Encourage their creativity, demonstrate to them how proud you are of their effort and imagination, and participate alongside them whenever you can. Whether this is at a class or in their hobby room, it's the perfect opportunity to have fun while creating memories and learning more about your little one's imagination. This may also give you the chance to encourage your child to problem-solve through art while offering them a helping hand when needed. Be sure to show them how impressed you are by their choices, whether it's how they use a particular color or how they draw a specific object. Being on the receiving end of praise will offer a big boost to their sense of accomplishment and confidence.
 
Introducing your child to art can have a positive impact on how they express themselves. It may allow them to harness their imagination and deal with day-to-day challenges. In the process, art may help reduce anxiety, improve confidence, and give them a medium to comfortably communicate their feelings and thoughts.
 
ADDITIONAL RESOURCE:
Free Arts and Crafts Resources for Home Learning

Image Courtesy of Pixabay
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