The Arts

The arts (both visual and performing) may seem like fun... and they are!

However, there are plenty of developmental benefits from the arts such as:

• Visual Learning - Drawing, sculpting, playing an instrument help develop visual-spatial skills.
• Motor Skills - Many of the motions involved in making art, such as holding a paintbrush or scribbling with a crayon, are essential to the growth of fine motor skills in children.
• Inventiveness - When students are encouraged to express themselves and take risks creating art, they develop a sense of innovation that we believe will be useful later in life.
• Improved Academic Performance - One U.S. study indicates that children who participate regularly in the arts (three hours a day on three days each week through one full year) are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement than children who do not participate.

Furthermore, at Olinda we feel it is important to separate the notion of "talent" from "creativity". A student does not have to create a masterpiece to have a beneficial experience.