This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Kids and Art: Myths That Need Busting, Part One

Why do schools and parents not prioritize art when there are so many proven personal and educational benefits?

Learning to draw improves concentration levels, problem-solving abilities and critical thinking skills. It increases reading readiness and visual perception skills, and for all ages promotes stress reduction and healthy self-esteem . . . so why isn't it a priority?

Largely because there are myths around art that need busting. Here's one:

Myth 1: It’s all about talent

Find out what's happening in Stillwaterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Wrong!

I put this top of the list because it’s the myth that is most pervasive and most damaging. It is reinforced daily in homes and schools all around the country.

Find out what's happening in Stillwaterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

How many people stopped drawing years ago because they believed they were ‘not talented’ that way?

But who would say it was OK for a child to give up reading because they weren’t ‘talented’ enough to learn?

And why do we not realize the benefits of the art process like we do the benefits of reading and writing?

If you can learn to read and write you can learn to draw!

More Myth Busters to come!

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?