Over and over, research shows that kids who receive art lessons 
while they are young become more imaginative and creative adults.
As you may know, creativity is an essential part of intelligence,
and is often used as a gauge for measuring IQ.

With increasing demands being placed upon schools, teachers, and 
youth groups to educate our kids in the three R's, education in 
the arts has begun to suffer in many areas of the country in 
favor of the "more important" or "more practical" subjects.

What people need to understand is that art education in schools 
IS important, and in fact essential to form well-rounded adults. 
In the business world, for example, people who are creative 
are much more likely to find success.  Creativity allows for 
innovation, a vital characteristic in today's business executive.
To stay ahead of the game, for example, a business must be able 
to initiate and adapt to change.  Both of these things are 
impossible without creativity, which is best learned at an 
early age.

Any successful business starts with an idea, and a good idea 
is innovative, different, and creative.  It speaks to a certain 
audience and makes people stand up and take notice.  If you lack 
the creativity to come up with such an idea, you're not likely 
to do very well.

Now, consider some of the most memorable marketing campaigns in 
recent history.  What do they all have in common?  Creativity; 
creativity that must be instilled at an early age, and is most 
effectively taught in school.

The aim should be to provide parents and teachers with 
qualitative art education guidelines to help give purpose and 
structure to art programs. (And for those of you who want to 
do art projects with kids just for the fun of it, special art 
lessons can provide hours and hours of creative fun!)

We know that integrating art in education will greatly expand 
the minds of children. It will boost their self-esteem, and 
even make learning other subjects a little easier.

Art lessons are very time consuming to prepare, and many teachers 
feel that they lack the artistic ability or creativity to teach 
art.  The reality is however, that they really don't need to be 
creative geniuses themselves to teach art in their classrooms.

Educators who feel that help is needed can turn to plenty of 
outside sources for aid.  By doing just a little bit of homework 
themselves, teachers and parents can find people, groups, and 
even companies who are ready and willing to come to the rescue. 
Taking advantage of this help can save hours of time and energy, 
and provide a much-needed educational benefit.




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NOTICE: 
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This article may be reproduced on your web site if the 
following information is included and links made "clickable" 
to:  http://www.k6artlessonplans.com 

Alberta Johnson is the Editor/Publisher of "K-6 Art Lesson 
Plans", a web site that offers art lessons geared towards 
Kindergarten through 6th grade children. These lesson plans 
have goals, objectives, assessments, and color photos. Children 
have great fun with them, and parents, teachers, scout/club 
leaders love them, too. Consultations are also available. 
For more information, and to get a free art lesson, visit: 
http://www.k6artlessonplans.com