The Transformative Benefits of Art Classes for Children
How Sydney Art School nurtures creativity, growth, and lifelong skills
Art classes are far more than just fun extracurricular activities for children. They play a pivotal role in fostering physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. At Sydney Art School, we’ve seen first-hand how structured, age-appropriate art instruction unlocks potential in young learners. Our philosophy combines artistic skill-building with developmental support—an approach strongly backed by educational and psychological research.
Fine and Gross Motor Skill Development
Activities such as drawing, painting, and sculpting help children develop fine motor skills like hand-eye coordination, grip strength, and dexterity. Our programs are designed to match each student’s developmental stage—building skills progressively and safely.
Research shows that engaging in fine motor activities through art can positively influence academic performance. A study in the Early Childhood Education Journal found that children with strong fine motor skills performed better in literacy and numeracy tasks (Cameron et al., 2012).
Cognitive and Sensory Engagement
Each lesson fosters higher-order thinking skills through decisions on color, form, and composition. Students engage in visual-spatial design, creative problem-solving, and sensory exploration within a supportive structure.
The Arts Education Partnership reports that students involved in visual arts demonstrate improved memory and attention (Deasy, 2002). The Brookings Institution also highlights improved critical thinking and visual analysis in arts-educated students (Brookings, 2019).
Social Communication Skills Development
Small-group art classes promote interaction, collaboration, and communication. Students practice turn-taking, peer feedback, and group discussion—all essential social skills that enhance confidence and classroom readiness.
According to the National Endowment for the Arts, participation in group arts programs leads to increased social-emotional competence (NEA, 2019).
Confidence and Self-Expression
Art provides a visual language for children to express thoughts and feelings, helping with emotional regulation and identity development. Creating art fosters pride, self-awareness, and resilience.
Structured art programs are shown to improve self-confidence and willingness to take creative risks (SBB Research Group, 2023).
Our Age-Specific Programs
- Mini Monet Art Classes (Ages 5–7)
- Intermediate Art Classes (Ages 8–10)
- Senior Art Classes (Ages 11–13)
- Senior Transition Classes (Ages 13+)
References
- Cameron et al. (2012). Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 27(3), 355–368
- Deasy, R. J. (2002). Critical Links: Learning in the Arts. Arts Education Partnership
- Brookings Institution. (2019). New Evidence of the Benefits of Arts Education
- National Endowment for the Arts. (2019). Arts Education in Childhood and Adolescence
- SBB Research Group. (2023). Evidence Brief: Arts and Young People
Click here to learn more or enrol in a Sydney Art School class.
