Episode 26 Podcast Recap

We are both big believers in giving our students free time in the art room. We’ve talked about it here and there on the podcast but in this episode, we really get into why we feel so strongly about it. Here are the main reasons we we think it is so important to give students the chance to have free art time.

1. Freedom and time to be a kid

These days, elementary kids basically have their whole day down to the minute planned out for them. They don’t have as many recess times as we did growing up. There is so much more testing and pressures put on them. They need time to just be a kid and have the freedom to choose what they want to do. 

2. Life skills/social skills

Free art time teaches a lot of life skills and social skills. Decision making, problem solving, independent thinking, these are all skills that sometimes get overlooked because there is so much else to do in schools these days. So much given to them already. If they have a chance to work with others, there are a lot of social skills that can be learned. How to work with others, compromise and share, take turns, make new friends. The list of skills learned from free time can go on and on. 

3. Creativity in different ways

When you are stuck in a curriculum with only so much time to get it done, sometimes you don’t see what students are really great at. Free time can give them the opportunity to show their strengths and interests in other areas. They can build confidence and really have their time to shine. 

Listen in to hear all the details about why we believe in free art time so much!

Keep blending,

Laura and Hayley