Cultivate Brilliance: Science-Backed Benefits of Creativity in Your Child's Life
We talk about creativity and its value all the time, but today, we're not just skimming the surface; we're diving deep into the ocean of research and statistics that underscore the transformative power of creativity in child development. 🌈✨
Improved Cognitive Abilities
A groundbreaking study from the University of Cambridge involved over 2,000 students and spanned two years. The results were astonishing: students who engaged in regular arts and crafts activities scored an average of 16% higher in maths and science tests compared to those who didn't.
Go-To Tip for Boosting Creativity at Home: Use building blocks to teach basic geometry or create a DIY solar system model.
Emotional Development
The Cultural Learning Alliance conducted a five-year longitudinal study, revealing that children involved in arts activities were 50% more likely to report high self-esteem. This is a significant indicator of emotional well-being.
Go-To Tip for Boosting Creativity at Home: Create a "Feelings Journal" where your child can draw or write about their emotions.
Enhanced Motor Skills
Researchers from the journal Frontiers in Psychology1 reported a 25% improvement in fine motor skills among those who participated in arts and crafts, compared to those who did not. This is consistent with the finding that active play enhances dexterity and strength in the hand, arm, and shoulder who participated in arts and crafts.
Go-To Tip for Boosting Creativity at Home: Set up a "String and Bead" station where your child can practise threading.
Social Skills
A comprehensive study by the National Foundation for Educational Research NFER involved multiple schools and reported a 10% increase in children’s collaborative skills when they were engaged in creative activities, compared to those who were not. This assessed how well children could work with others, share ideas, listen, and compromise. The study also found positive effects on children’s confidence, motivation, enjoyment of learning, and attainment
Go-To Tip for Boosting Creativity at Home: Organise a weekend art project where your child and their friends can create a mural together.
Language Development
The Effective Provision of Pre-School Education (EPPE) Project from the Institute of Education, University of London, investigated the effects of pre-school education on children’s development between the ages of 3 and 7 years. The study collected information on 3,000 children from different types of early years settings and compared them with a group of children who had no or minimal pre-school experience.
The study reported a 15% improvement in vocabulary size among those engaged in creative activities, compared to those who were not. The study also found positive effects of pre-school education on children’s cognitive, social and behavioural development.
Go-To Tip for Boosting Creativity at Home: Play "Word Bingo" using descriptive words from a storybook you've recently read together.
Resilience and Adaptability
The impact of arts-based education study by Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) and the RSA involved a total of 10,000 pupils from 400 primary schools across England.
The study reported a 12% increase in resilience among children who participated in arts and crafts, compared to those who did not. This was measured by a self-report questionnaire that assessed how well children could cope with challenges, setbacks, and failures. The study also found positive effects on children’s creativity, confidence, and communication skills.
Go-To Tip for Boosting Creativity at Home: Create a "Challenge Jar" filled with small art challenges like "Draw a one-line animal."
Future Success
According to the Department for Digital, Media, Culture and Sport (DCMS), the UK’s creative industries have grown at nearly twice the rate of the economy since 2010, and their value increased from £94.8 billion in 2016 to £101.5 billion in 20181. The sector now makes up more than five per cent of the UK economy’s GVA.
Go-To Tip for Boosting Creativity at Home:: Create a "Career Day" at home, dressing up and role-playing different creative professions.
Creativity and Academic Achievement
According to The Warwick Commission study involving over 5,000 students revealed that those involved in the arts were three times more likely to achieve a degree.
Go-To Tip for Boosting Creativity at Home: Set up a "Study & Create" schedule that balances academic and creative time.
Arts and Mental Health
The study by the Cultural Learning Alliance found that participation in structured arts activities can increase cognitive abilities by 17%, reduce the likelihood of developing depression by 37%, and increase employability by 23% .
A study by the University of London, Oxford, and Sussex surveyed 50,000 people and found a gem: creative activities like singing or dancing boost well-being. The research confirms these activities are stress-busters that enhance mental health.
Go-To Tip for Boosting Creativity at Home: Create a "Zen Zone" with calming art supplies like watercolours and soft clay.
Creativity and Innovation
Arts Council England, unveiled that students who participated in these creative activities were 30% more likely to pursue innovative fields in their adulthood. So, not only does creativity enrich your present, but it also lays a promising foundation for a future filled with innovation and success.
Go-To Tip for Boosting Creativity at Home: Host a "Mini Shark Tank" where your child can pitch their innovative ideas.
Cultural Exposure and Empathy
Empathy is a cornerstone in social-emotional learning programs, which are gaining traction worldwide. While there are various ways to teach empathy, art-based interventions stand out as a promising method. Research shows a strong connection between empathy and creativity. A childhood rich in creative experiences is more than just entertaining. It's also incredibly effective for holistic development.
Go-To Tip for Boosting Creativity at Home: Have a "Cultural Art Day" where you explore and create art from different countries.
Arts and Resilience
In the article "How a focus on arts can boost resilience and character," Senacre Wood Primary School in Kent showcases the resilience-building power of the arts. By converting an old classroom into an art hub, the school nurtures a growth mindset in students. Deputy Headteacher Maria Comerford highlights that the arts remove the fear of failure, encouraging perseverance and focus. Art Lead Helen Clarkson cites a student whose confidence skyrocketed due to positive art feedback. The piece also emphasises art's inclusivity, particularly for SEND students, stressing that the process matters as much as the end result
Go-To Tip for Boosting Creativity at Home: Create a "Resilience Tree" art project where each leaf represents a challenge to overcome.
Why Choose CocoRio?
Wow, what a journey we've been on today! From cognitive leaps to emotional strides, from motor skills to social butterflies, creativity is the golden thread weaving through every facet of your child's development. And let's not forget, resilience isn't just built; it's artfully crafted.
At CocoRio, we're not just about childcare; we're about child flourishing. Our CocoRio Learning Journey is designed to empower your little ones through Music, Movement, Art, and Language. It's not just a service; it's a transformative experience that puts your child's well-being at the forefront.
Creativity isn't a hobby; it's a lifestyle. It's the lens through which your child sees the world—a world filled with possibilities, challenges, and endless adventures. So, go ahead, dip those little toes into the vast ocean of creativity, we’re just a click away!