The Many Benefits of the Arts for Children With ADHD

The Many Benefits of the Arts for Children With ADHD

by Lillian Brooks

It’s no secret that children with ADHD often have a tough time in school. They may have difficulty paying attention and often feel like they’re not meeting the expectations of their teachers and classmates.

However, studies have shown that many children with ADHD excel when they can express themselves through the arts.

Painting, drawing, music, dance, and theater can all provide kids with ADHD with a much-needed outlet for their energy and creativity. In addition, participating in the arts can also help children with ADHD develop important life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and goal-setting.

 

The Benefits of Painting and Drawing

One of the great things about painting and drawing is that there are no rules. Kids with ADHD can let their imaginations run wild and express themselves in whatever way they see fit.

Additionally, painting and drawing can be very therapeutic; both mediums can help kids relax and focus while also providing them with a sense of accomplishment. There are physical benefits too.

Children who participate in art activities usually show improvements in fine motor skills such as pencil grip and handwriting.

 

The Benefits of Learning to Play Music

Like painting and drawing, learning to play an instrument provides children with ADHD an outlet for self-expression. In addition, playing music can help kids with ADHD develop patience, concentration, and memorization skills.

What’s more, making music is a great way for kids to blow off some steam and release pent-up energy in a positive way.

 

The Benefits of Learning to Dance

Dance is another great activity for children with ADHD. It allows them to express themselves creatively while also getting some much-needed exercise. Moreover, dance can help kids with ADHD develop coordination, balance, and spatial awareness.

And like music, dancing is also a great way to release excess energy in a positive manner.

 

The Benefits of Theater

The theater may seem like an unlikely activity for children with ADHD; after all, it requires kids to sit still for long periods of time and follow complex rules. However, theater can be very beneficial for kids with ADHD.

Participating in theater allows children to explore their imaginations while developing important communication and social skills.

Additionally, theater can teach kids how to cooperate with others and work toward a common goal, a skill that will come in handy inside and outside the classroom.

 

Provide the Right Space

A great way to support your child’s artistic endeavors is to create a dedicated space to explore their creativity. By updating a room in your home to serve as an art studio, you can provide your child with a comfortable and inspiring place to work on their craft.

Furthermore, this update can add value to your home by appealing to prospective buyers looking for a property that can accommodate their family’s needs whenever the time comes to sell.

When planning your update, incorporate plenty of storage solutions and natural light to create an ideal space for your child to express their creativity.

 

Parent Teachers

If you’re a parent who wants to help their child but can’t afford professional art lessons, you can easily learn a variety of art forms through free online classes or YouTube videos.

As you learn a medium and begin to help your child expand their abilities, you may realize you’ve got a knack for teaching painting or drawing. If this happens, consider offering lessons to other children to generate some side income.

Just be sure to set yourself up legally with an LLC to avoid any liability issues and to get a few tax write-offs. You learn more about how to start an LLC in Florida when you use an online formation service to set yourself up.

Artistic activities can be hugely beneficial for children with ADHD.

They provide an outlet for self-expression while helping kids develop essential life skills such as patience, discipline, teamwork, and goal-setting. So if you have a child with ADHD, or even mild ADHD symptoms, don’t hesitate to enroll them in an art class or two. You might be surprised at how much they benefit!

 

Check out Let Kids Dream for more resources.

 The Many Benefits of the Arts for Children With ADHD

Image via Pexels