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For many years, doctors and researchers have advised parents to expose their children to fine classical music. CD's & DVD's are marketed and sold worldwide preaching of the great influence music has on our children's development. Classical music represents the epitome of harmony and musical sensation. It is a creative technique such as music that can enhance a child's development. This is also true of a toddler's first encounter with visual artistic greatness.

With that said, I set out to research the affects of great masterpieces such as famous oil paintings by Monet, Picasso and Van Gogh on child development. Is the exposure to these great works of art like the affects of listening to Beethoven?

Oil paintings such as Claude Monet Impressionism have been proven to stimulate the senses and make children more aware of their surroundings and spiritual world. The presence of art alone can be used as therapy. Painting, Drawing and other masterful skills have a great affect on a child's cognitive, social and motor abilities. Their ability to create art can also be used to improve confidence when their efforts are complimented.

Exposing children to great oil paintings from the time they are born will help:

' Nurture their intellectual process.

' Assist with their social progression. (We see this especially in abused children, as art presents a very useful tool to bridge the gap between the actual and cognitive age of the abused child).

' Expand their vocabulary- by giving them the opportunity to talk about the oil paintings.

' Improve their confidence level.

' Increase their intellectual skills as they express what they think and feel about the oil painting.

Display oil paintings and your favorite artwork around your home. It will help your children think creatively and rationally.

' Display artwork in their bedroom in addition to other rooms in your home.

' Use a great piece of art for an example & provide them with tools to create artwork of their own.

' Bring your child to the nearest museum to enjoy oil paintings together.

' Facilitate discussions by posing questions about the oil paintings to help increase your child's vocabulary.

Overall, Art has a profound outcome on the behavior and brain development of children. Researchers have shown over and over that by incorporating art into a toddler's curriculum and environment the child is able to develop and mature. Exposing children to artwork may not only enrich their cognitive, social, and emotional abilities but can also be therapeutic.

So expose your children to visual art as early and as much as you can. Start when your child is an infant. Expose them to the magical surreal world of Salvador Dali or the majestic views and scenery of Vincent Van Gogh or Pierre August Renoir. Display oil paintings and your favorite art in abundance around your home. It will help your children think creatively and rationally