| As you know, our brain is divided into two | | | | carries over into all areas of the child's life. |
| hemispheres. Each hemisphere processes information | | | | 2. Right brain stimulation, which is crucial to the |
| differently. Reading, writing, arithmetic, and science, are | | | | development of the "whole child". Do not under |
| all activities that are primarily controlled by the left | | | | estimate the importance of creativity, the ability to think |
| hemisphere of the brain. This hemisphere is responsible | | | | abstractly (out of the box). The best thinkers, inventors, |
| for rational and analytical thought. | | | | and entrepreneurs of our time have a healthy dose of |
| The right hemisphere of the brain controls imagination, | | | | right brain influence. |
| visual and spatial perception. It's dominant in art, music, | | | | 3. Able to better understand visual, spatial, and |
| and physical movement. Drawing and the arts | | | | perceptual tasks essential to the creative process. 4. |
| exercise a portion of the brain that is increasingly being | | | | Its fun and leads to interest in other artistic endeavors. |
| regarded as not being important (educationally | | | | 5. Promotes problem solving ability. |
| speaking). Funding for art programs across the country | | | | 6. Self expression. |
| is being slashed or outright eliminated to the detriment | | | | 7. Promotes increased focus, which enhances learning. |
| of our children. | | | | 8. Increased confidence that carries over into other |
| Children learn best when both sides of their brains are | | | | areas. |
| stimulated. This occurs when the learning environment | | | | 9. A sense of individuality and the importance of |
| is both participatory and interactive. The modern | | | | individual style. |
| classroom does have a participatory side but it is | | | | Art increases cognitive ability and drawing is the |
| sorely lacking in interactivity. Drawing and art is one of | | | | primary building block in artistic expression. Kids start to |
| the best ways to bring interactivity into your child's life. | | | | draw when they're very young and will continue to |
| Drawing and art s develop many important aspects of | | | | draw if they feel they can learn to draw better. Help |
| a child's ability including but not limited to: | | | | your child become a better learner and thinker by |
| 1. Increased ability to focus on the task at hand which | | | | continuing their education in art. |