Indonesia
Studying Comes Hard? Try Art
Seeing our kids always miss out the lesson taught in classroom must be a hard hit on us, isn’t it, Supermom? They are having difficulties understanding teachers’ explanation and feel like they don’t belong at school. Solution? No need to rush them taking course classes. Beth Olshansky, the author of “The Power of Pictures: Creaying Pathways to Literacy Through Art” convinces, art will find a way.
Beth’s daughter also has the similar issue, Supermom. With paintbrush, she can express her ideas and speak in better words. Beth discovers a program named Picture Writing that is designed to help kids with learning difficulties, like the one her daughter has. With artistic approach, the kids are proven to read and write better.
Laura, a mother of an elementary kid, also shares a similar experience. Her daughter, Carly is a hard worker, compassion with active imagination and solid way of thinking. Yet she is diagnosed to have double-deficit dyslexia. So, Carly make drawings to remember the meaning of words. Learning by writing never gets her that far.
Laura describes when Carly has a research assignment. “Since its difficult for her to express her ideas in written, I ask if she is allowed to use art. She goes for clay,” Laura recalls. Carly then make some statue to reflect her ideas understanding the concept and ideas that she learns. Laura is very convinced that if kids can’t express their thought in verbal, visual art can help.
Jan’s experience is equally fascinating. Her son is diagnosed with ADHD, sensory processing disorder and bipolar disorder. He is difficult to focus and to hold control on himself. However, the boy likes to create and build buildings. With art, Jan’s son can easily solve his problem. “His imagination flows and his explanation to describe things becomes very good, says Jan.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Education agree to what Beth, Laura, and Jan conclude, about the importance of art in kids’ life. With art, kids are becoming more motivated, attentive and the ability to recall what we or their teachers have to say.
Well, if our kids are also having problems with learning, Supermom, here are some basic strategies with art to help them.
Before Writing
The kids look fixed on a blank sheet? Give them opportunities to make something, dance, music, kolase, drawing or anything before they start working on the paper. “The warming up” with art will stimulate their skills with words and language.
Communicate with Teachers
We must stand by the ideas in case the classroom teachers still can’t see the relationship between art and study. Explain how art projects can help enhancing the kids’ thought to be understood easier by the others. Art will strengthen their memory, enable the kids to be more success at school. Also talk about at what fields do they good at.
Kids may think that they are not comparable to the classmates, especially those who follow the fixed curriculum. But they need to know that their artistic skill can make them smarter.
HAFIDA INDRAWATI
PHOTOS: THINKSTOCKS
