Why Art is Just as Important as Math and Science
In today’s education-focused world, there’s often a lot of pressure on parents to prioritize subjects like math, science, and reading. These “core” subjects are considered the foundation of academic success—and rightly so. But what often gets overlooked is the essential role that art plays in a child’s development.
At Cindereeta Art Studio, we’ve seen firsthand how the arts complement and even enhance traditional learning. Art is not just fun—it’s a vital part of a well-rounded education that supports emotional growth, cognitive development, and real-world problem-solving skills.
The Myth of the “Non-Essential” Subject
It’s common for parents to think of art as a nice-to-have activity, something for “free time” once homework is done. But here’s the truth: creative thinking, visual learning, and self-expression are just as crucial to your child’s development as equations and grammar rules.
In fact, many of the skills your child develops in the art studio translate directly into success in other areas:
Critical thinking and decision-making
Resilience and perseverance through experimentation
Communication and storytelling
Pattern recognition and spatial reasoning
Emotional intelligence and empathy
Sound familiar? That’s because these are the same skills nurtured in math, science, and even leadership training.
Art + STEM = STEAM
There’s a growing movement in education called STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. It recognizes that the best innovators of our time—from Steve Jobs to Maya Lin—combine creativity with logic, imagination with strategy.
In the tech world, for example, UI/UX designers must understand both human emotion and coding structure. Architects rely on both math and visual design. Even in medicine, professionals use drawing and observation to map surgeries and understand anatomy.
Art is not a distraction from science—it’s a bridge.
Art Strengthens the Brain
Research from leading universities shows that engaging in the arts can physically change the brain. It boosts connectivity between the left and right hemispheres, helping children integrate emotional and logical thinking. Art improves memory, attention span, and visual learning skills, which support reading comprehension and mathematics.
Students who study art regularly are:
4x more likely to be recognized for academic achievement
3x more likely to win awards for school attendance
Better at solving open-ended problems
The takeaway? Art actually helps your child succeed across the board—not just in the studio.
Art Builds Emotional Intelligence
While math and science often rely on exact answers, art teaches kids that there’s no one right way to solve a problem. This builds flexibility, resilience, and comfort with ambiguity—key life skills in a rapidly changing world.
Art also gives children a safe outlet to explore feelings, identity, and their inner world. For children who may struggle with words, visual expression can be healing, empowering, and incredibly revealing.
Through painting, drawing, sculpting, or mixed media, children learn how to process emotions, build confidence, and feel seen.
The Role of Art in the Future of Work
As automation and AI reshape the workforce, one thing remains clear: the future belongs to creative thinkers.
Industries are hungry for people who can:
Imagine new solutions
Visualize complex systems
Create compelling experiences
Communicate through story, design, and emotion
Art builds these abilities. In fact, LinkedIn named “creativity” the most in-demand soft skill for five years in a row.
So, What Can Parents Do?
Encourage Balance: Give art the same respect you give academics. A child who feels well-rounded performs better in all areas.
Create Time and Space for Creativity: Whether it’s a weekly art class or a corner at home with supplies, show your child that creativity matters.
Celebrate Effort, Not Just Results: Praise their process, their bravery in trying something new, and their personal growth—not just the end product.
At Cindereeta Art Studio, we believe art isn’t a side activity—it’s a superpower. When children explore their creativity, they’re not just learning to paint. They’re learning how to think critically, express themselves clearly, and navigate the world with confidence and curiosity.
And that, we believe, is just as important as solving a math problem or memorizing the periodic table.
