What are the benefits of art in therapy?

There are many benefits of using art in therapy:

• The physical benefits: engaging in artistic activities like drawing, cutting shapes, painting and sculpting can enhance fine motor skills and improve hand-eye coordination. Planning and problem-solving through art also gives cognitive skills a nice boost. Plus, the sensory experience of art is a treat!

• The social benefits: art can also be a supportive tool to build speech-language skills and can even be used in ABA therapy to promote social interaction and collaborative play. By engaging in creative artistic activities, children can develop communication and socialization skills in a fun and interactive way.

• The mental health benefits: art is fantastic for helping kids who struggle with emotional regulation. Studies have also shown that stress levels can decrease exponentially in children within 45 minutes of sitting down and creating art. Creating art not only helps promote short-term well-being but also reduces stress and anxiety while increasing positive emotions. When kids are buzzing with energy or feeling overwhelmed, setting them up with an easel or some clay can work wonders. It helps them get into a "flow state" — that magical zone where they're so absorbed in their creativity that their minds relax. It's like hitting the reset button, making it much easier for children to calm down and find their inner peace.

Find more information in our article Art in Therapy.