This report examines and summarizes the existing cultural research regarding individuals ages eight and below.
From the Chairman's Note:
"[The] review focused on early childhood engagement in music-based activities (including singing, playing musical instruments, or dancing), drama/theater, and the visual arts and crafts. It did not explore storytelling or the literary arts, or arts participation specifically through electronic media. Despite these omissions, the report offers credible evidence that arts participation in early childhood is strongly linked to the following types of benefit:
[1.)] Social skills development: helping, sharing, caring, empathy, and the capacity for other kinds of healthy interpersonal behavior
[2.)] Emotion regulation ability: mood control and positive changes in affect and expression
Beyond showing plausible benefits for typically developing children, the research suggests positive social-emotional outcomes for special populations such as toddlers from families with low socioeconomic status, and children with autism or Asperger’s syndrome."
