Tips to Get Started

When getting started with teaching art, theater, or music to children, particularly children with disabilities, you’ll want to get yourself and your child prepared first. Three ways you can do this are to build their confidence, provide plenty of options, and be patient throughout the process.

Build confidence

Boosting your child’s confidence in their verbal abilities can make them more comfortable exploring new concepts in art, music, and even theater. 

Give them options

No two children respond to the same type of artistic endeavor in the same way. Give your child plenty of options in different media. You may need to invest in adaptive art supplies, such as dot markers for students with motor skill deficiencies.

Be patient

We all know how easy it is to become impatient. It is important to keep our emotions regulated, not only to teach our child this important skill, but also to give ourselves the care that we need to stay healthy and engaged. Teaching a child a new skill of any kind can be frustrating, but looking ahead to the benefits can help us to stay calm. We can also remember that art is meant to be a source of relaxation, rather than frustration. Learn more about how to stay calm in times of stress with toddlers.

Benefits of the Arts 

We all know that doing art with paints, music, or physical expression — is fun. But there are many benefits that go beyond entertainment. The National Rehabilitation Information Center lists several of these, including better communication skills, greater self-awareness, and improved physical function.

Enhanced communication

Different types of art, and particularly music, can help people with disabilities communicate better. For example, they might sing or learn new ways to move their body to get your attention.

Increased Self-awareness

Art can also improve a person’s self-awareness. In a clinical setting, art therapy is used to boost self-esteem and elevate social skills.

Improved physical function

Disability Resource Community explains that dancing, which is an art form of movement, not only relieves stress but can also improve gross motor skills and physical fitness. People with disabilities undergoing dance therapy can improve their coordination and strength in a nonthreatening and less clinical setting.

Benefits for you

While there are so many benefits of teaching the arts to children with disabilities, they are not the only ones that get something out of it. There are lots of benefits for adults as well, including the potential for finding a new passion, engaging with your community, and just plain having fun.

New career opportunities

• Teaching art to kids actually pays pretty well. Lots of parents, especially during the pandemic, want small educational groups for their children. If you turn this into a business, create an LLC by first researching your state's regulations (see CA’s state regulations)— a formation service will allow you to do this on your own without attorney fees.

Greater involvement with your community

• As an arts and crafts educator, you’ll be given a unique opportunity to get involved in your community. And as the parent of a child with a disability, you can use this influence to raise awareness about your child’s disability. You might, for example, advocate for an inclusive playground in your hometown.

Lots of fun!

• Perhaps most importantly, you will have fun! You’ll see new art being made and witness the difference it has on the kids you love the most. The arts, whether dance, painting, or even drama classes, aren’t reserved exclusively for any specific developmental or age level.