How Art Goes Far Beyond Developing Skills In Children? Mumbai School Shows The Way!

arsalan khan
Nov 6 · 4 min read
Kids Activities in School

Art in Indian schools is often regarded as a leisure activity. It is often included in the education system as a source of enjoyment and fun. Other times it is seen as something to break the monotonous study routine of the students. If you think the power of art is limited in these ways, think again. The truth is far from it, and the sky is the limit when we truly understand the value of art among children in school. It not only develops skills but boosts creativity quotient and improve decision making capability, two key characteristics that make people stand out in today’s world.

There are few who understand the significance of art and one of them is Vishwajyot high school in Kharghar. It is one of the well known ICSE schools in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai who has introduced the unique art program right from kindergarten through to high school. For the last 15 years, this program has churned out rare gems who has achieved great success and contributed to the society in various ways. So, what’s so special about the program? And how it has helped children in the long run? Here’s a glimpse of the unique art program:-

The school authorities who took this initiative always had only one aim and it is to expose children to different art forms which would eventually help them brace for the future and ace most important life skills. The program is divided precisely into four stages as per the requirement of the increasing levels of education. These are:-

Pre-primary

Catch ’em young suits well for art programs. It is important to tap their potential early and prepare them for something big. It’s the time when it is easy for kids to absorb things very quickly. Therefore, after they are taught stories which are usually imaginative in nature, they are asked to draw their interpretation of it.

This acts as a channel of communication for them to express their thoughts.

Mayank, an ex-student of the Vishwajyot school in Mumbai says, “When I look back on my childhood, the most prominent thing that stands out is all the art that I created — it really helped in my holistic development. I joined Vishwajyot as a fourth-grader and stayed till the tenth.”

Even scientists believe that in the early stages of brain development, kids learn a lot faster, which later increases their cognitive abilities. Mayank’s story proves it. Here’s what he has to share about the same. “I went on to pursue mechanical engineering, which extensively requires you to be creative, dexterous, and has a knack for problem-solving. My art projects have helped me develop communication, imagination, spatial awareness and the value of hard work.”

Painting by Kids

Primary grades

Once the kids reach primary grades, they are introduced to a unique form of art called wet-on-wet painting. We know that each of the colours exudes different emotions. A certain feeling is attached to a single colour or a combination of colours. For example, red and orange give out a feeling of warmth. This understanding is instilled in children which helps them associate emotions with different colours.

The experts believe that such engagement develops character and identify the personality they want to imbibe later in life.

This is what Mrs. Vasanthi Swamy- the Vice Principal of Vishwajyot High School has to say: “I remember Mayank being very shy when he joined. I was his first-class teacher. He struggled initially to express himself as he was a very quiet child, someone who loved to be by himself. The only time I remember him truly express himself is through the paintings that he made. I have seen him grow and transform over the years; it has been an incredible journey for him as well as for me.”

She also stressed on the need for art education along with other activities for students in school.

Middle school

As students move up the ladder in school, they are engaged in hand-works such as knitting, weaving, clay work, pottery and carving. Handwork projects of over 6 months are given to them. They learn the precious lesson on patience, time and value of hard work in the process. Along with other co-curricular activities in school, it improves their hand-eye coordination. Working with clay and pottery opens up the mind and helps them visualize things in three dimensions.

It widens the scope of imaginative thinking and helps one learn in-depth about spatial awareness.

Kids School Project

High School

This is the advanced level of painting and use of colours. Now there is intense thinking required in everything they do on this stage.

With the technological evolution and advanced level of artificial intelligence, what is left with humans is creativity and communication. The art education systematically instils both these highly essential qualities in young minds. Therefore, it is indeed true that art goes far beyond developing skills in children and Vishwajyot school in Kharghar are ably preparing students for the future.

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