How Summer Art Camps Boost Self-Esteem in Children

 
Developing a healthy and positive self-esteem is a vital key to happiness and success in life, which is why, as parents, we’re always doing what we can to encourage our child’s sense of confidence.
 
We read books about it, we read blogs, we listen to podcasts, we become their biggest fan and largest cheering section (“You brushed your teeth! Excellent job!”); we hang their kindergarten crafts on the wall, we brag about their many talents in front of them, we constantly celebrate their wins, and we sign them up for activities that will give them sense of pride and help them feel good about themselves.
 
Studies show that participation in the arts increases self-esteem and self-efficacy. Long-term participation can certainly have greater and more pronounced benefits, but even a week at a summer art camp can make a huge impact.
 
Take a look at how summer art camps can do what you as a parent are always trying to do: boost self-esteem in your child.


​1. Art camps encourage self-expression.
Art, unlike craft, is the about the expression of ideas and feelings. When children are encouraged to express and create based on their own thoughts and emotions, they learn that what they think and feel is important and valued. 

2. Art camps bring community.
Participating in a shared interest is one of the best ways to connect and make friends with like-minded people, and feeling accepted and a sense of belonging is vital to having confidence. 
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Through art camps, campers are able to find others who enjoy what they enjoy, making them feel a part of a community that values their interests and hobbies. 

​3. Art camps introduce new experiences.
Trying new things can be scary for children (and adults, who are we trying to kid?), but it can also increase confidence in their own abilities the more they do it.
 
Art camps provide a supportive environment to take risks, and they encourage campers to do new things every day, from working with new materials, to mastering new skills, to attempting new projects. When campers experience the successes they have trying new things at camp, they feel more excited and confident to try new things elsewhere as well.

4. Art camps require effort.
Don’t get us wrong, requiring effort does not mean art camp isn’t a ton of fun! Creating anything requires effort, so we select projects that are cool and exciting so they don’t even realize the high level of effort they’re putting into them.
 
No one else does the projects for them so the pay-off with their accomplishment means a lot to them.
 
When campers are able to pour themselves into a project, challenging themselves to make their own creative choices, practice technical skills, apply new-found knowledge, and problem solve in a creative way, they learn to trust themselves and their abilities.
 
They learn that through effort they can plan and create entire works of art that they are proud to show off. A sense of accomplishment and pride comes when children work hard at a project that they care about.


When campers and students expand their confidence and develop a healthy self-esteem, they are curious about learning new things, and at Museo Art Academy, our main goals are to instill an appreciation for art and a love of learning in all of our students. The confidence they build in our art programs enables them to take risks and work hard for success in other areas of their lives.
 
Learn more about our summer art camps for kids and teens here.

Sources:
Myers, R. (2016). 11 Ways to Help Your Kid Build Self-Esteem. [online] Today's Parent. Available at: https://www.todaysparent.com/family/parenting/how-to-build-your-childs-self-esteem/ [Accessed 2 Apr. 2018].

ArtsEdSearch. (2018). Students - Research Overview. [online] Available at: http://www.artsedsearch.org/students/research-overview [Accessed 2 Apr. 2018].
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Lock, C. Turn to the Arts to Boost Self-Esteem. [online] PBS Kids. Available at: http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/music-arts/turn-to-the-arts-to-boost-self-esteem/ [Accessed 1 Apr. 2018].

ArtsEdSearch. (2018). Imaginative actuality: Learning in the arts during nonschool hours. [online] Available at: http://www.artsedsearch.org/summaries/imaginative-actuality-learning-in-the-arts-during-nonschool-hours [Accessed 2 Apr. 2018].