Perhaps the most obvious benefit of art activities for preschool students is that it allows them to express their creativity. While this is a definite benefit, there are also numerous other benefits. Through art, children learn how to follow directions as they listen to how supplies should be used and how to create structured projects. They serve as a means of teaching different topics in a hands-on way; from shapes and colors to numbers and letters. Art allows children to express their feelings in a positive way, particularly if they are unable to verbalize them. Children feel a sense of pride when they create an art project and show it off.
The types of art activities that preschool children can engage in are almost limitless. Open-ended projects can be as simple as providing children with paper, paint, markers, crayons and other materials and allowing them to create anything they desire. If you're aiming to teach about a specific topic, art projects may be more structured. For example, when teaching about spring, you may have children use a cupcake liner to create a flower.
Completed art projects can have a variety of uses. Those open-ended projects that preschool students create can be showcased around your classroom, turning it into an art gallery and increasing children's self-esteem, as they see their work on display. Structured projects can be made with the intent of using them for a specific purpose. For instance, a wreath made from children's handprints can be given to parents as a gift, which they can proudly display in their homes.