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Curriculum
what your child could gain:

 

"Jessica's unique approach to teaching art integrated with literature, science, art therapy and sensory processing sets her apart from other online art classes, providing a valuable learning experience that encourages creativity, self-expression and cognitive growth while mastering artistic skills." - Principal Ntreal

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Research shows that 'learning visual art engages a combination of perception, higher-level thinking, and motor skills, which share overlapping brain regions. This suggests that skills developed through art can enhance other areas of learning and creativity.'

Artistic Skills

"...The activation patterns suggests a more effective network of cognitive processing for the brain of [an] artist."

- case study by Solso (2001)

  • Techniques and Media: Mastery of various techniques and mediums such as drawing, painting, pen & ink, color pencil, and oil pastels.

  • Composition and Design: Understanding how to arrange elements in an artwork to create balance, focus, and visual interest.

  • Color Theory: Learning how to use color effectively, including mixing colors, understanding color relationships, and applying color psychology.

Cognitive & Academic Skills

"Art should be regarded as a cognitive process ... Neuroimaging studies have started to reveal that the process of drawing shares cortical substrate with writing, access to the semantic system, memory, naming, imagery, constructional abilities, and the ability to estimate precise spatial relations. Learning in the domain of visual art, in particular, is reliant on a complex system of perceptual, higher cognitive, and motor functions, suggesting a shared neural substrate and strong potential for cross-cognitive transfer in learning and creativity."

​(Tyler CW, Likova LT.,  2012)

  • Observation and Attention to Detail: Improving observational skills and attention to detail through careful study and practice.

  • Critical Thinking: Evaluating and critiquing art, both their own and others’, to understand different perspectives and enhance their analytical skills.

  • Science: Learning to handle uncertainty and not having all the answers is a valuable skill in both art and science. Art students learn to embrace these challenges during the creative process, which also helps them develop a similar resilience in learning science and dealing with complex problems. . (Tucker et al., 1982; Smolucha and Smolucha, 1985; Peterson, 1993).

  • Language: Studies have shown that the brain uses similar cognitive  mechanisms to handle spatial information in both visual tasks and other areas. This suggests that skills developed in one cognitive area, such as visual arts, can benefit other areas like language and sound. (Douglas and Bilkey, 2007)

  • History and Culture: Exposure to art history and cultural contexts, providing a broader understanding of how art fits into various historical and cultural narratives.

Creative Thinking

The analysis of such complex spatial and dynamic spatial structures is one of the key aspects underlying the creativity of advanced thinking. Creative learning is a key aspect of the human thought processes that crosses many domains of neural functioning

(Gardner, 1982; Glover et al., 1989; Csikszentmihalyi, 1997).

  • Problem-Solving: Developing solutions for artistic challenges and thinking creatively to overcome obstacles.

  • Innovation: Encouragement to experiment and push boundaries in their work, fostering originality and innovation.

Personal Development

Artistic expression can improve focus, assist with processing emotions, reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, improve communication and increase self-esteem.

- Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic Press Editors; October 16, 2023

  • ​Lower stress: Opportunities to express emotions, ideas, and personal experiences through art in a non-verbal way,  can be therapeutic and help alleviate stress..

  • Confidence and Self-Esteem: Completing an art project provides a sense of achievement and boosts self-esteem, which can help counter feelings of anxiety and stress.

  • Persistence and Patience: Learning to work through challenges and refine their skills over time, promoting perseverance and patience.

  • Improve attention: Art requires concentration and can draw attention away from worries, promoting a state of mindfulness and reducing anxiety by keeping the mind engaged in the present moment.

  • Emotional Release: Art allows for the release of pent-up emotions and can be a safe outlet for expressing feelings that might be difficult to articulate otherwise.

  • Calming: The act of creating art can be soothing and relaxing, providing a break from daily stressors and allowing individuals to calm their minds and bodies, which can help manage hyperactivity.

  • Channel hyperactivity: Art projects often involve a clear structure and step-by-step process, which can provide a sense of order and purpose, helping to channel excess energy more constructively.

Sensory Processing

“The creative process filters out all the busy-ness going on inside me and transfers that energy into another material. Art is an outlet for an abundance of senses.”

- Michelle Thevenot
artist from Saskatchewan, Canada.
 

Our lessons can significantly help develop and refine fine motor skills and coordination.
 

  • Hand-Eye Coordination: Activities like drawing, painting, and cutting require precise hand movements that improve coordination between what the eyes see and how the hands respond.

  • Grip Strength: Using various tools such as brushes, pencils, and scissors helps strengthen the small muscles in the hands and fingers, which is crucial for tasks requiring a firm grip.

  • Finger Dexterity: Art tasks that involve detailed work, like beading or sculpting, improve the dexterity and flexibility of the fingers, which aids in tasks requiring fine control.

  • Control and Precision: Techniques like shading, tracing, and intricate patterns demand careful control and precise movements, which refine the ability to make small, accurate motions.

  • Pattern Recognition: Creating art often involves following or creating patterns, which enhances the ability to recognize and replicate fine details.

  • Planning abilities (Sequencing): Children will be challenged to think about what to do with the materials (ideation) and learn how to manipulate them effectively to create their final piece (execution).​

Practical Skills

• Project Management: Organizing and planning art projects, which includes managing time and resources effectively.
• Technical Skills: Gaining familiarity with various art tools and technologies, which can be useful in both traditional and digital art forms.
 

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