Arts and Hearts: Simple Artistic Activities to Boost Kids Progress

Creative activities such as drawing, painting, modelling, singing and dancing are far more than fun diversions for young children — they are powerful vehicles for development. Research from University Park – Pennsylvania for one year old , two years old and two to four years old children shows that art engages children’s senses, supports cognitive, motor and socio-emotional growth, and lays the foundation for later learning and problem-solving. By offering children opportunities to explore, experiment and express, the arts help build attention, fine motor skills, self-confidence and creative thinking. As the National Association for the Education of Young Children notes, “art is important to the development of young children’s physical and cognitive skills and their aesthetic awareness.”

Art often shows us how children learn, but it also shines a light on our own way of guiding them – explore your teaching approach in Unlock Their Genius.

In what follows, we’ll look at each major medium of art (drawing/painting; modelling; singing/dancing, roll playing) and examine how these support development in three age bands (0-1, 2-4, 5-6).

Drawing & Painting

Ages 0-1:

For infants, drawing and painting—though in a very basic way—help children begin to focus attention, explore cause and effect and develop early motor skills. When a baby scribbles with a crayon or watches finger-paint swirl, they are observing how their movement changes the mark, noticing colour and shape, and practising reaching and grasping. For example, using a washable paint mat or large chunky crayons gives them safe, bold opportunities to make marks. This sensory, exploratory art supports early neural connections and visual-motor coordination.

Tool idea: Something like the Fisher Price Learn & Doodle Desk would be ideal for this age

Ages 2-4:

At toddler and early preschool age, drawing and painting become richer: children begin making shapes, representations, experimenting with colour or medium, and following simple instructions. This supports fine motor control (holding a brush, making shapes) and cognitive skills (planning what to draw, noticing textures). One benefit is that children learn pattern, cause-and-effect (“If I press harder the mark is darker”) and spatial awareness.

Tool idea: A great pick would be the Crayola Inspiration Art Case or Step2 Deluxe Art Master Desk

Age 5-6:

For children aged five to six, drawing and painting can support sustained focus, more deliberate creativity, the ability to complete multi-step projects (“first sketch, then paint, then decorate”), and self-expression of ideas. As children develop better motor control, they can treat art as a task with planning, revision and pride in creation — all of which support cognitive and emotional development.

Tool idea: Consider something like the Crayola Mallette Chevalet Peinture et Création

Singing & Dancing

Ages 0-1:

For infants, singing and dancing are powerful developmental tools. When a parent sings a lullaby while bouncing or swaying, the baby experiences rhythm, voice variation, movement, and connection. These sensory-motor experiences support body awareness, attention (listening to voice, moving to beat), and emotional bonding. Music and movement give young children early exposure to expressive arts, which support social-emotional development.

Tool idea: A simple rhythm ball or motion song playlist.

Ages 2-4:

For toddlers/young preschoolers, singing and dancing become more interactive: action songs (e.g., “Head, Shoulders…”), simple choreography, musical instruments like shakers or drums. These support motor coordination (moving in time), listening skills (following rhythm or instructions), and social interaction (singing together). As children move their bodies and respond to sound cues, they build attention, memory (remembering lyrics/steps) and enjoyment of arts.

Tool idea: A kids’ rhythm instrument set or dance-song CD or Electronic Musical Instrument

Age 5-6:

At five to six years old, singing and dancing can support more structured performance, longer pieces, group coordination (choir, dance group), memory of songs, sense of rhythm, and even improvisation. These arts activities build confidence, persistence, attention to detail (matching beat, remembering steps) and social skills (co-operate, take turn).

Tool idea: A children’s music kit, karaoke-style microphone, Karaoke Machine, dance mat, or DJ Mixer Toys,

Many art activities naturally strengthen fine-motor coordination, and our list of Parent-Favorite Toys That Build Fine Skills offers great examples.

Pretend Playing

Pretend play is far more than a cute moment or a simple childhood pastime — it is one of the most powerful engines of early brain development. When children imagine, explore, and “try on” different roles, they practice thinking creatively, solving problems, communicating, and understanding the world around them. Research shows that early play with objects gradually transforms into richer symbolic and pretend play, strengthening cognitive pathways, building initiative, and increasing curiosity about how things work.

Ages 0-1:

During the first year, babies explore through movement, touch, mouthing, and simple object handling. Although full pretend scenarios are not yet present, early interactions with real objects form the foundation for later symbolic thinking. Allowing infants to experiment with safe items — cups, soft toys, rattles — sparks curiosity, supports sensory development, and builds the brain networks needed for imagination. Parent participation at this age matters: narrating actions (“You’re feeding the bear!”) or showing gentle demonstrations helps babies connect actions with meaning and invites the earliest forms of initiative.

Tool idea: A simple rhythm ball, motion song playlist, or Baby Learning Toy

Ages 2-4:

Toddlers and preschoolers enter the golden age of pretend play. They begin substituting objects, acting out roles, and creating imaginary scenes, all of which strengthen creativity, language, curiosity, and early executive-function skills. When children decide the storyline (“I’m the doctor — check my patient!”), they practice taking initiative and flexibility in thinking. Research shows that this self-directed symbolic play builds stronger neural links for representation and memory. Parents who join as playful partners — not leaders — help enrich the story while still allowing the child’s imagination to guide the scene.

Tool idea: Grocery Store, Cleaning Set, Play Kitchen Set

Age 5-6:

By ages five and six, pretend play becomes longer, more structured, and more socially complex. Children plan storylines, negotiate roles with peers, and explore ideas such as fairness, problem-solving, and emotional understanding. These richer pretend scenarios help strengthen creativity, social reasoning, and the brain’s higher-level symbolic networks. When parents participate through simple prompts (“Where should our spaceship go next?”), they encourage deeper curiosity and help children stretch their ideas into more elaborate narratives.

Tool idea: Fresh Mart Grocery Store for older kids, Set Toys with Drill, Life Cycle Animal Kit

Bringing It All Together

In each age band, each medium (drawing/painting, modelling, singing/dancing, pretend playing) offers unique developmental benefits: stronger motor skills, better attention span, richer self-expression, improved cognitive and emotional growth. Art is not a luxury — it’s integral. Read more on how art impacts child development in this article.