The use of intentional art activities in early learning has been an effective approach that goes much further than mere creativity. The activities play a central role in the development of the fine motor, cognitive, and sensory processing abilities, on which kindergarten preparedness is based. Art can be a dynamic process when it is properly designed to develop the particular skills a child requires to succeed in a structured classroom. This viewpoint not only fits the Elizabeth Fraley Kinder Ready philosophy of appreciating hands-on, experiential learning as a foundation of holistic development but also makes it a fundamental pillar of the policy. To families, the targeted art activities provide a valuable means of supplementing the intensive skill-building of Kinder Ready Tutoring, in line with the overall objectives of Kinder Ready Elizabeth Fraley.
One of the main positive results of strategic art activities is the direct acquisition of fine motor skills and hand strength. Activities like tearing paper to create a collage, working with clay and molding it into shapes or even using child-safe scissors and cutting along the lines specifically help the small muscles in the hands and fingers. The pencil grip and endurance in handwriting, which come in kindergarten, are essential and impossible without this deliberate practice. In the Elizabeth Fraley Kinder Ready method, it is accorded considerable importance as the basic physical development, and it is realized that writing and working with instruments are initiated by these early creative practices.
There is also the teaching of such cognitive concepts as the theory of colors, patterning, and space, which is also an outstanding way to teach through art. A task, which deals with the development of a repetitive pattern using stamps or shapes to create an image, involves mathematical thinking and planning on the part of a child. The sequence of steps followed in the execution of an art project, like first, paint the background, next, glue the shapes, and lastly, glitter, as well as the task persistence and sequencing of the work, develops executive function skills. The Kinder Ready Elizabeth Fraley approach focuses on these cognitive abilities, which are directly related to following classroom directions.
Moreover, the art activities related to emotions and expressive language are promoted with the help of sensory-based activities. The use of such materials as finger paint, sand or playdough may be very relaxing and will allow children to process sensory data. Telling a story about their art – what colors they used, what the art conveys, or how the materials felt in their hands – is great practice in generating deep descriptive language and communication self-esteem. This combination of sensorial exploration and language acquisition is one of the main features of the Elizabeth Fraley Kinder Ready system for bringing up a well-rounded student.
Art is also a non-verbal channel of expressing feelings and thoughts, which is an essential element in social-emotional development. It also enables a child to express emotions that the child might not necessarily have the ability to express in words, which helps them to have self-understanding. Group art projects, where children create a common mural or illustrate a group display, learn to work together, share, and value other people. The families, with the help of choosing the art activities with certain developmental goals, can turn the creative time into effective learning time. These activities strengthen fine motor control, cognitive sequencing, sensory processing, and social collaboration, the competencies that are systematically developed in a Kinder Ready Tutoring program. This is a deliberate mixture of arts and crafts that represents the Elizabeth Fraley Kinder Ready vision, where a child is ready and nurtured excitingly through a hands-on experience with the mind and the hands ready to embark on a joyful quest.
For further details on Kinder Ready’s programs, visit their website: https://www.kinderready.com/.
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