Help Your Children Get Ready for School: Start with the Arts When They're Young

Your children may be only in preschool, but it's never too early to start thinking about their academic future.

Participation in arts education activities helps improve elementary and secondary students' performances on standardized achievement tests, according to a number of research studies. In addition, students who participate in arts education programs in school for more than four years score nearly 100 points higher on the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) than youngsters who do not, according to data from the College Entrance Examination Board.

"The arts help improve the mathematical, critical thinking, and communication skills of youngsters," says John D. Kemp, former CEO of VSA arts. "Parents are their children's first teachers. So why not give your young child a head start by doing arts activities at home?

Young children should experience a variety of art forms, including the visual arts, music, dance, creative writing, and creative drama. The arts provide them with interesting ways to explore their world and develop the skills they need to succeed in other academic subjects."

VSA arts recommends parents do the following simple, fun, and educational arts activities at home. These creative drama activities, designed for preschoolers and kindergartners with and without disabilities, help to improve their literacy, communication, and critical thinking skills.

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Dramatizing a Story

Read one of your child's favorite books aloud and then discuss it - research shows that reading aloud to your child is the best way to help him or her learn to read. Reread the story, having your child join in with you. Next, reenact the story with your child playing one or more of the characters. Add funny props such as hats and other attire.

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Improvisation

Improvisation, or telling a story through dialogue and action, allows children to organize events, understand different roles and behaviors, and learn how to structure a story. Encourage your child to retell a story from a picture book, or a recent trip to a friend's house, through improvisation. "Sing, Pierrot, Sing" is a picture book of pantomime by Tommie dePaola that can help your child learn how people communicate through facial expressions and body movements.

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Role Playing

This activity allows children to better understand other people and improve their critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. The first step is to have an assortment of clothing and materials to stimulate children's dramatic thinking and expression. Next, have your child play a specific adult role, such as a fire fighter, doctor, or astronaut. Your child can also play their favorite animals.

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Puppetry

Puppetry can improve your child's communication skills and promote self-confidence. Attend a puppet show together or watch puppets perform on television. Have your child select his or her favorite stuffed animal, and encourage your child to use it to share feelings and information about favorite activities, toys, places, friends, and food. Hand puppets can be made from dolls, socks, tongue depressors, and washable markers and ribbons. You can also decorate paper plates with yarn, ribbons, and crayons to create puppet faces.

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