Family arts engagement boosts cognitive, social, and emotional development
Nanci Nott argues that consistent family engagement with the arts—music, visual arts, theatre, and literature—provides lifelong cognitive, social, and emotional benefits for children. Citing research, she notes that learning an instrument causes positive structural brain changes, while visual arts strengthen pattern recognition and problem-solving. Arts activities enhance fine motor skills, sensory-motor integration, and executive function. Socially, attending festivals, exhibitions, and plays teaches audience etiquette and fosters curiosity. Discussing art cultivates critical thinking, empathy, and nuanced understanding of culture and morality. Nott, a BA Philosophy graduate and MA Creative Writing candidate, writes for ArtsHub and is creative director at Defy Reality Entertainment. The article appears on ArtsHub, an Australian arts news platform.
Key facts
- Learning an instrument causes positive structural changes in the motor and auditory areas of the brain.
- Visual arts practice strengthens pattern recognition, problem-solving, and experimentation.
- Arts activities augment sensory-motor integration and visuospatial orientation.
- Family arts engagement enhances parent-infant attachment and decreases anxiety.
- Children who attend festivals and exhibitions develop audience etiquette and context sensitivity.
- Discussing art cultivates critical thinking, empathy, and understanding of culture and morality.
- Nanci Nott has a BA in Philosophy and is undertaking an MA in Creative Writing.
- Nanci Nott is creative director at Defy Reality Entertainment.
Entities
Artists
- Nanci Nott
Institutions
- ArtsHub
- Defy Reality Entertainment
Locations
- Australia