Art Teaches Kids the Habits of Success!

There has been a notion flying around that 'art makes you smarter'. It's true that students involved in the arts do better in school and on their SATs in the U.S.A. than those who are not involved. Apparently there isn't any real evidence or studies that prove students involved in the arts do better in school. 

There was, however, an analysis done several years ago in Boston that does prove just how important a good art education is and how it influences a growing brain. Professor of psychology, Ellen Winner and professor of art education Lois Hetland showed evidence that arts training does teach a specific set of thinking skills rarely addressed elsewhere in schools.

Both are researchers at Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and co-authors, with Shirley Veenema and Kimberly Sheridan, of 'Studio Thinking: The Real Benefits of Visual Arts Education'.

"While students in art classes learn techniques specific to art, such as how to draw, how to mix paint, or how to center a pot, they're also taught a remarkable array of mental habits not emphasized elsewhere in school. Such skills include visual-spatial abilities, reflection, self-criticism, and the willingness to experiment and learn from mistakes. All are important to numerous careers, but are widely ignored by today's standardized tests." - Ellen Winner and Lois Hetland , the Boston Globe, September 2, 2007

The study identified eight 'studio habits of mind' that art students gain.
1. Development of Artistic Craft
2. Persistence
3. Expression
4. Connecting to the World - learning of other artists & how their own art fits into the world
5. Observing 
6. Envisioning 
7. Innovating through Exploration
8. Reflective Self-evaluation

Learning art allows students to improve visual-spatial abilities, reflection, self-criticism, and the willingness to experiment and learn from mistakes. All are important to numerous careers, but are widely ignored by today's standardized tests. They're not necessarily saying that visual art training makes kids smarter, but it most certainly helps them to learn some of the habits that will make them successful in life.

As an artist I can attest that these habits have been helpful in many aspects of my life, and work as I'm sure most other artists would agree. Anyone who's ever read "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" may see a resemblance in the list.

There is more on the horizon. For the first time ever, scientists have used sophisticated brain imaging techniques to examine how music, dance, drama, and the visual arts could positively affect cognition and intelligence. I can't wait to learn their findings.

If you're a parent make sure there is art in kids lives. You never know! That kid could be the next Picasso, or Norman Rockwell, or Michelangelo, or... a much better accountant, lawyer or president! And, as one kid put it, "Kids got a lot of stuff to do all day. At least art is fun, and it calms us down too."

By Linda Laforge

Linda Laforge is a contemporary celtic artist and creative writer. To see her portfolio and to read more visit her at: http://www.LindaLaforge.com

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