Through a child's artwork they will not only learn to master the preliminaries of writing, they will also learn to express themselves. There is an extremely strong relationship between high self esteem and unbridled creativity.
Creative expression through visual literacy/communication additionally encourages the development of children's individuality, independence, problem solving skills, relationships with places and things, and their ability to express their ideas, passions and interests.
Therefore children's image making is not just art. Children use the images they create to make sense of their world and play with ideas. So not only is art a meduim for creative expression but also a tool for thinking!
Rapunzel's Supermarket, Ursula Kolbe (2001).
Role of adults in children’s Art?
Encourage children’s natural expression!
Colouring books, teaching art or even a well-meaning parent that instructs a child to draw something in particular sets confining limits around a child’s own creativity.
Studies show that the freely creative youngster is high in self confidence, emotional maturity, calmness and independence.