Enhancing Cognitive Function with Arts-based Activities.

A growing number of scientific studies support the idea that art has a measurable effect on the brain and its structure. Activities like music, dance, drawing, and storytelling increase the brain's plasticity, its ability to adapt in response to new experiences. Children who engage in the arts are better learners and are more likely to achieve high academic performance. The arts also teach the brain skills that it's unlikely to get in a classroom. Despite growing evidence that arts can improve performance in many other areas, activities like music and drawing have fallen out of favor in education and our culture.