Kids NEED art to Survive!
Something I've always wanted to share with people is from my experience as a preschool teacher's assistant. I held that position for 9 years and lucky me got to be my lovely mom's assistant!
Anyhow, I digress. Preschool is FILLED with creativity. Kids need to explore. Colours, textures, music, singing, physical movement, making things, building things, painting things, gluing things.
These experiences build their character as they learn to socialize with others of the same age and person-building stage.
And it really is a stage. Everyone is learning through their creative experiences. Mistakes, successes and simple discoveries build their individuality. This continues into Kindergarten but at little bit less... and Grade 1 and 2... it's still there but less. As they reach the end of primary school - it's almost gone from their curriculum. This is such a shame. Teachers are expected to do far too much. And are not given any form of release. Any form of creative expression FOR them would be ever so helpful. If they can express themselves creatively then they will feel better equipped to handle the stresses of being a teacher, coach, counsellor etc. But this is not offered by the school systems. And it could be done so easily!
Being expected to handle everything despite having no creative support system is just NOT COOL.
'Art Therapy' goes too far from my perspective. Art just needs to be given much higher level of respect -- and presented in such a way as it is in preschool in every situation. The workplace, the restaurants, kids events, fundraisers - everything.
We all need to consistently explore the atmospheres around us and allow ourselves to really TAKE IT ALL IN in our own ways regardless of who or where we are. Let's make the time to experience colours, textures, music, singing, physical movement, making things, building things, painting things, gluing things MORE seriously and over all HAVE FUN with it. Life is too short to be so serious and without feelings of release being offered up any time we need it. No one gets out of this time on earth alive. Why suffer?