Top Priority: The Arts And Kids' Emotions

In a world that can feel fast-paced and overwhelming, especially for our children, creativity offers a gentle way to slow down and reconnect.

Art, music, dance, and drama aren’t just “nice-to-haves” — they are vital for helping children process emotions, reduce anxiety, and build emotional resilience. Scientific research is now backing what many of us have intuitively known for years: creativity calms the nervous system.

A compelling review published in the National Library of Medicine, titled "How the Arts Heal: A Review of the Neural Mechanisms Behind the Therapeutic Effects of Creative Arts on Mental and Physical Health", found that engaging in creative activities activates brain regions involved in both emotional regulation and creativity — specifically the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the amygdala. These brain regions play a central role in how we process and manage emotions.

The study explains that creative engagement may use the same neural networks as those activated during emotional regulation. This gives us a neuroscience-backed reason to encourage more painting, singing, dancing, writing, or simply creative play in our children’s lives — especially for those who struggle with anxiety or emotional overwhelm.

Sadly, by the time children reach GCSEs and A-Levels, many have dropped creative subjects altogether in favour of more “academic” options. We lose something incredibly valuable when we sideline the arts: a natural, accessible way for young people to connect with themselves, process the world around them, and stay emotionally healthy.

As parents, we can advocate for creativity at home and in schools. Whether it’s joining a local art class, playing an instrument, or doodling in a sketchpad, creative outlets provide children with a safe and effective way to manage their emotions.

This doesn’t mean you have to be “good” at art — it means using creativity as a tool for expression and connection. And that matters deeply for our children’s wellbeing.

Creativity is an essential part of helping our children grow into emotionally intelligent, resilient adults.

The Emotions Lab