The Arts in Early Education: Social-Emotional Benefits of Arts Participation: A Literature Review and Gap-Analysis (pdf) – National Endowment for the Arts reviews existing research on the potential benefits of arts participation for children from birth

Arts and Creativity (webpage) – Wisconsin students attending public school have the opportunity to take part in arts areas throughout Wisconsin. This page provides information on providing quality experiences in music and visual arts.

These resources from the Head Start Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center offer guidance on fostering creativity, arts appreciation, and music’s role in early childhood development.

Music in Child Development Music in Child Development (webpage) – explores the powerful benefits of music for learning, emotional development, and social connection.

Supporting STEAM: Infants and Toddlers (webpage) – highlights the importance of arts experiences in early childhood education, promoting communication, creativity, and cultural connection.

Effective Practice Guides: Creativity (webpage) – explores various approaches to nurture creativity in young learners through exploration, play, and diverse learning styles.

How Process-Focused Art Experiences Support Preschoolers (webpage) – The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) discusses how process-focused art experiences can support preschoolers. This webpage explores the importance of focusing on the process of creating art rather than the final product for preschool-aged children.

Learning to Write and Draw– (webpage) – This webpage from Zero to Three explores the connection between writing and drawing in early childhood development. It provides insights into how early exposure to art materials like crayons and pencils can support the development of pre-writing skills.

National Association for Music Education (NAfME) (webpage) – offers resources on early childhood music education. This webpage provides information and guidance on the importance and benefits of music education in early childhood.

The Arts Count series (webpage) – from The Arts Education Partnership consists of four reports that emphasize the benefits of integrating arts education into schools. Each report delves into a specific art form and leverages ArtsEdSearch to highlight the research showcasing how it positively impacts students.

Music Matters (pdf)

Visual Arts Matters (pdf)

Theatre Counts (webpage)

Dance Counts (webpage)

The Importance of Music and Movement (webpage) – This webpage from Northern Illinois University Child Development Center explores the importance of music and movement in early childhood development. It highlights the benefits of incorporating music and movement activities into early childhood education.

The Benefits of Art & Art History for Early Childhood Learning (pdf) – This handout from Pittsburgh Kids discusses the benefits of art and art history for early childhood learning. It highlights the importance of art and art history in early childhood education and explores the developmental benefits for young children.

Creative Arts with Young Children (webpage) – This webpage from Eastern Connecticut State University offers videos and discussion questions that demonstrate strategies and ideas for fostering young children’s creativity and appreciation for the arts.

5 Ways to Better Use Music in Early Childhood Classrooms (webpage) – This webpage from Harvard Graduate School of Education offers ways educators can use music to not only spark creativity but also promote multilingualism and build an inclusive classroom culture.

Art in Early Childhood: Curriculum Connections (pdf) – An article By Jill Englebright Fox, Ph.D., and Stacey Berry, M.Ed. explores connections between art and other areas of early childhood curriculum. It provides guidance on integrating art into early childhood curriculum to create a well-rounded learning experience

Updated 7/31/2024