We take art classes for fun with my 6-year-old, because it frees up two hours for me to exercise and keeps the mess out of my house.

Why can’t art class just be for fun at her age. Stop looking into a deeper meaning or reason.

The pure enjoyment of creative activity is a gift that has helped me get through the most difficult of times. I would not hesitate to foster it in young children.

I enrolled my kids in a few activities at that age partly for the childcare. It allowed me to do my own thing for a little bit or spend some 1:1 time with my other child.
It would cost me $40 to have someone sit and watch television with my child for a couple of hours. I would rather spend it on ballet or art or gymnastics.

My 5 year old takes art classes purely because she enjoys it. They work with materials that I can't duplicate at home. I think it is a good creative outlet for her and she is pretty social so she enjoys being in a mixed age class and meeting different kids. I keep enrolling her because she keeps enjoying it- yes, it is a bit expensive!

Anonymous wrote:Many friends of DD have taken art classes for a year since at the begining of kindergarten. I debate if it is worth it or not ($35 to $40 a class, 4 class a month) and the purpose of taking art classes at this young age. She will be first grader in the fall.

Classes? Naw, waste of money really. But encourage art, as it's one of the most important subjects to learn growing up, besides reading.