Creative Expression for Kids: Why Art, Stories & Imagination Matter

As parents and educators, investing in a child’s academic success often centers around core subjects like math, science, reading, and writing. These foundational skills are certainly crucial, but creative expression and play improve academic performance and social skills as well. Art, imaginative play, and story-telling are more than fun: they are powerful opportunities for supporting a child’s achievement, executive functions, mental/emotional health, and confidence. 

BENEFIT #1: LITERACY & COMMUNICATION

Creative pursuits are powerfully linked to developing literacy. A 2024 study from the International Research Journal found that even for children as young as three, participation in art-based activities strengthened their reading, writing and discussion skills, as well as their confidence and overall enthusiasm. When a child draws a picture, they are often excited to tell you about it, using descriptive language to explain their vision. This natural urge strengthens their verbal communication skills and vocabulary. Similarly, engaging in storytelling - whether inventing narratives for action figures or creating a script for a playful performance - requires the sequential organization of their thoughts, which is just as foundational to strong writing and comprehension skills. The imaginative process inherently supports their ability to understand complex narratives and the diverse perspectives they encounter in the books they read. 

BENEFIT #2: EXECUTIVE FUNCTION & PROBLEM-SOLVING

The act of creation is a real-world master class in flexible problem-solving. A child building a complex structure from blocks or trying to mix the perfect shade of green paint is learning how to navigate these challenges. They are generating and testing hypotheses, adjusting their approach in response to varied outcomes, and managing materials - all vital components of executive function. Children learn to persist through challenges, manage frustration, and think flexibly when their first attempt doesn't produce the desired result. This practical experience translates into improved executive function skills related to academic success, as students need to strategically approach complex homework assignments and multi-step projects. 

BENEFIT #3: IMPROVED MENTAL HEALTH, IDENTITY, & CONNECTION

Creative arts, play, and writing have a long and well-documented relationship to health and overall well-being. According to the Mayo Clinic, these activities increase serotonin, direct blood to the areas of the brain related to pleasure, and improve emotional regulation. Plus, the National Alliance of Mental Health (NAMI) released a 2023 study that found 61% of those who participated in creative activities had a reduction in stress and anxiety, and 57% reported an improvement in overall mental well-being. It was also linked to a greater sense of personal identity, community, and connection - all of which are critical to combatting loneliness, depression, and anxiety. To learn more, check out this TedTalk that proposes creative expression as a response to the growing mental health crisis.

BENEFIT #4: CONFIDENCE & EMOTIONAL RESILIENCE 

Another significant benefit of time spent on creative pursuits is the boost to a child’s self-confidence. According to the earlier mentioned NAMI study, 63% reported greater confidence as a result of creative expression. In the world of imagination and art, there are no "wrong" answers. This freedom allows children to take risks without fear of failure, fostering a sense of capability and self-trust. When a child proudly displays a drawing or recounts an epic tale they’ve invented, they are affirming their unique voice and perspective. This validation nurtures their emotional resilience and helps them develop a strong sense of self - both of which are invaluable as they navigate the social and academic pressures of school. 

BENEFIT #5: PREPARATION FOR A CHANGING WORD & WORKFORCE

The world, the economy, and the nature of work is rapidly evolving. The priorities of both employers and employees have changed drastically, and for both, creativity, collaboration, and innovation rank high on the list. It’s one thing to have the reading and math skills for basic levels of understanding; it’s another thing entirely to encounter real-world challenges with mental flexibility, interpersonal savvy, and a capacity for invention. As AI and automated processes start to eliminate the need for people to complete simple, mundane tasks, cultivating creativity as part of a child’s development becomes all the more essential to their future. 

CONCLUSION

Encouraging creative expression is not merely an addition to your child’s routine; it is an integrated strategy for academic excellence, social connectedness, confidence, resilience, and emotional well-being. Further still, play strengthens creativity, self-efficacy, and problem-solving as they learn to respond to diverse hypotheticals. Prioritize the time and space for your children to paint, imagine, and tell stories, and they can reap these benefits now and long into the future.

Written by Brandi R.

The importance of Exploring Outlets

During a child’s first five years of life, their interaction with caregivers sets the stage for their emotional development for life. The five stages of emotional development during these years consist of a variety of emotional skills such as: naming, identifying, self-regulating, expressing, and managing emotions. And while you can help your child develop these skills during the early years, how can you support your child with their emotional development when they venture off into full days of school, extracurricular activities, and play-dates? Helping your child discover new independent interests gives them a unique opportunity to engage with emotional outlets. 

What Are Outlets?

Outlets are activities and/or interests that children can practice regularly as a way to manage emotions. These outlets can range from a variety of activities and can be practiced independently or in a more directed, group setting. There are different types of outlets children can explore to find their passion and interest. Young children often begin exploring extracurricular activities such as sports, dance, mindfulness activities, band/music, theatre, art, STEM, technology/coding, and many more! Through these various activities, children can explore their interests, improve their skills, and develop a sense of identity. 

Benefits of Outlets 

There are many benefits to utilizing outlets as an avenue for self-expression and self-regulation strategies. Here are some specific benefits to channeling outlets:

Goal Setting- Outlets provide explicit practice with creating, attaining, and planning goals. For example, a child may want to learn a new soccer trick or art skill or develop fluency in math puzzles. These examples all require specific goals and steps to reach these goals. While younger children may require assistance at first, eventually they will learn to independently set and attain goals. This skill will inevitably transfer into other areas of their lives as well. 

Expressing and Managing Emotions- Outlets provide a safe and controlled environment to express emotions and even manage stress. The skills learned in the controlled environment can be used in independent or guided practice to help self-regulate emotions. For example, if your child relies on a structured activity weekly, such as yoga, they can choose to use these skills when they are feeling dysregulated. 

Self Discovery- Outlets can provide an opportunity to discover new interests and explore a variety of passions. As children practice specific activities over time, they often learn ways to manage different executive functioning skills such as: planning/time management, flexibility, organization, self control, task initiation, and emotional control. Explicit practice in multiple contexts will help them become proficient in these skills. 

Increased Development in Many Areas- Once children begin school, there is a large emphasis on academic achievement and development that continues through adolescence. This can cause limited time to practice other essential areas of development. When children are provided time to participate in outlets, they are practicing non-academic skills that will help them succeed in school. These skills include gross/fine motor skills, emotional development, imagination, critical thinking, creativity, confidence, communication/language skills, empathy, and general life skills.

From exploring new interests to stepping out of your comfort zone to safely regulating your emotions, outlets offer a variety of opportunities to reconnect with yourself. Children, teens, and adults can all benefit from exploring outlets and choosing specific ones that work best for them. In early childhood, children may choose to explore a variety of activities before choosing specific areas of interest. For example, a child may explore dance, ice skating, sports, pottery, and yoga before choosing a specific outlet. Additionally, as children grow into teens and adults, their interests may change. As humans, we are continuously learning and re-discovering ourselves as we enter new stages of life. With that said, outlets may change and new interests may be explored at different stages of life.

If your child is looking to learn more about Yoga & Crafts as an outlet, please check out our  group class offerings!

Written by Ami Z.