by Dave Coates
Standardized testing, as with so many measures, may serve a valid purpose but tends to focus both adults and children on the product instead of the process that is so valuable in developing life-long learners. While the visual arts benefit all children with a nonjudgmental medium that is tactile, expressive, and highly creative, we don't do enough to harness the benefits of the arts.
The arts help children develop problem solving and critical thinking skills, as well as a sense of craftsmanship and quality task performance. Children develop a positive work ethic and pride in a job well done and learn to develop an appreciation and awareness of the world around them. Ongoing involvement in the arts can actually help students both test better and cope with the challenges of our ever competitive society.
The arts help children develop their Imagination Quotient, known as the “Other IQ,” which we now understand to be very important to a child's success in school and life. The visual arts present a unique opportunity for your child's development. In no other venue can children actively express, explore, create, innovate and challenge without fear of rejection or negative judgment. Building creativity is so very important starting with our toddlers and continuing throughout our children's lives. By the time children reach school age, the focus in education increasingly moves toward testing and conformity, which means that children get less opportunity to be creative. Taking an active role in choosing imaginative outlets for your children at every step along the way can make a real difference in their future success.
In our urgency to conform our children into excellent standardized test-takers and formula thinkers, we are beginning to deprive them of the opportunity to cultivate a unique voice and style. In short, our children need multiple opportunities for exposure to the arts and imaginative pursuits that offer life-long enjoyment and provide a true sense of well-being and accomplishment. Despite the importance of our standardized tests, think about all the ways in which you can support them with arts experiences that validate and inspire them.
Dave Coates is an art educator and lives in Frisco, TX. Dave owns two Abrakadoodle Franchises, both based in the North Dallas Suburbs. Abrakadoodle is a national franchise that offers developmentally appropriate art education classes and camps for children 20 months to 14 years old. Dave is married with two young children.
Prior to acting on his love of children and passion for the arts by purchasing his franchises, Dave obtained is B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and his MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. He also held several management positions in the Paints and Coatings Industry. You can reach him at dcoates@abrakadoodle.com , by phone at 214-387-6969, or on the web at http://www.abrakadoodle.com/tx02.html .
