Integrating art into primary education gives children space and freedom to engage their minds actively. Since 2017, Shuruart Foundation has worked with more than 1470 children studying in 25 Government Primary Schools in Varanasi. Through Let’s Start Art, a program by Shuruart foundation, we have been working rigorously to improve children's literacy skills through visual arts providing holistic development for these children through art-integrated learning.

Children are the ardent observers of their surroundings where art serves as a canvas to express themselves in the most artistic and imaginative ways.  The recent course of vast changes in temperature and climatic conditions has accentuated the critical need for action to protect Mother Earth. Through art-integrated learning young minds actively delve into their thoughts and explore subjects in creative and engaging ways giving them a deeper understanding of the world around them, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Students at Government Primary School, Lahartara completed their first mural on the walls of the school corridor. Children worked on the theme "Preserving Nature" through interactive discussions with our art instructors regarding the value, importance and conservation of nature.

In the Let’s Start Art session, we conducted the art session where we asked the children to prepare masks. Children used the opportunity to convey their personalities, interests, and emotions through the design of their masks. Such activities encourage the students to think creatively and enhance their aesthetic

 

In August, Let Start Art sessions were conducted on the topic ‘Where There is a Way, There is a Will' (concerning disabled persons). The theme was chosen with the perspective of developing social intellect among the students.

The feeling of love and devotion towards one’s country develops from a very young age. India is a diverse country and attracts millions for its alluring history, marvelous structure, vibrant culture and happy people. The beauty of India lies in the shared values, rich heritage, and unity that binds the nation together.

A special bond with their peers is one of the many factors that help children feel welcome and fosters social and emotional development. Also, learning the importance of Friendship at this tender age is beneficial to build the foundation of their personality.

It was a great experience, not only for the students but also for our art instructors who learned about the students' vacation experiences and what they enjoyed the most. The sessions with grades 4 and 5 were livelier, as each student had an interesting story to tell, not only on paper but also as a confident speaker in class.

We, as conventional readers, would find it impossible to read or write in a way that does not match the rules of a specific language. But young children start developing literacy skills right from the moment people start talking to them and playing with them. As a result, children start babbling before they speak, and scribbling- drawing before they write. Letting children express what they feel through drawing and writing in their own free way would allow them to form narratives and get them started with writing. In this month of Let's Start Art sessions, we added emergent literacy practices to make the class more engaging and help children gain confidence as well as interest in literacy education.

The concept of education in our country is limited to the mark sheets of the students. Children who take interest in drawing, singing or any othe...