by Alice Robertson
The arts can greatly influence children who are differently abled, allowing them to adapt learning experiences to their needs, make social connections, and build up their confidence. If your child has expressed an interest in a creative pursuit, or if you’d like to introduce them to the arts, there are several ways to get started, including looking for resources that can help.
Beelieve Academy is a great place to start if you’d like to help your child prepare for school, offering online programs that you can oversee from the comfort of your own home. Here are a few ways you can introduce your child to the arts, as well as the benefits they’ll receive:
Create a crafts room with some simple home upgrades
For children who are living with a disability that affects speech or communication, making visual art has tremendous benefits. Whether it’s in the form of painting, sculpting, drawing, or making crafts with glue and glitter, making art can also help young people build coordination skills and make spatial connections. The key to helping your child develop their passion for visual art is to give them the supplies they need, and this might require a dedicated space to get organized. Consider overhauling a room in your home to make it more art-friendly, such as replacing easily-stainable carpet with laminate flooring or installing a sink for quick cleanup. Just make sure you save the receipts for any changes you make, as this will provide valuable proof that you can show your appraiser in the future should you decide to sell your home.
Sign your child up for dance lessons
Dance is another expressive endeavor that benefits children who are differently-abled, as it allows them a sense of freedom, provides physical activity, and encourages social behaviors. For many, dancing is also a way to relieve stress and other negative emotions. If your child has an interest in dance, look for local classes they might join or seek out videos online that will teach different movements so they can ease into the activity.
Integrate music into their day
For years, multiple studies have been done on the positive effects of music on the brain. From reducing stress to relieving the symptoms of depression, music can work wonders. For children who are living with a learning disability, music can provide an emotional outlet as well as boost their confidence and even help them understand complicated concepts related to math. Music is a multi-sensory activity that doesn’t have to be verbal in nature, making it perfect for kids of just about any age or ability. Look for a music therapy program near you, or seek out music lessons online or in-person.
Enjoy the arts with your child
One of the wonderful things about the arts is that they can be enjoyed alone or with a loved one. Participating in a creative endeavor can help you bond with your child, relax, and have fun, so consider joining them in learning an instrument, dancing, or painting. If your child is more comfortable learning at their own pace at home, utilize tutorials that you can try together.
You may even find that you enjoy teaching creative activities, which could lead to a new entrepreneurial endeavor. Starting a business is easier than ever these days with all the online resources available, so do some research on how to get started with a business plan. Consider forming an LLC, which will protect your assets and provide tax benefits for your teaching business. You can utilize a formation service to file the paperwork, saving you money on attorney’s fees and giving you peace of mind that it’s all done correctly.
Helping your child get involved in the arts is a wonderful way to build confidence, teach different learning concepts, and reduce stress or anxiety for them. Setting up a space in your home for their creative pursuits is beneficial; just remember to save receipts so you can get the best price if you decide to sell down the road.
Have a question for the pros at Beelieve Academy? Get in touch using the chat feature on the homepage.
Photo via Pexels
About the Author: "Alice Robertson recently created Tidy Home as a place to share the great cleaning and organizing advice she has developed over the years. Alice loves helping others, and she knows having a clean, organized home can do wonders for stress and mental health."
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