In the late 1960s, researcher George Land developed a creativity test for NASA to identify innovative engineers. Out of curiosity, he tested 1,600 preschoolers using the same assessment.
The result?
98% of 4- and 5-year-olds scored at “genius” levels for creative thinking.
The same children were retested over the years. By age 15, that number dropped to 12%. In adults, it fell to just 2%.
What changed?
Children are not born less creative. Something in the system gradually shifts. As schooling becomes more focused on correct answers, testing, and performance, children learn to filter ideas before they express them. They begin to self-edit. They start asking, “Is this right?” instead of “What else is possible?”
That shift has long-term consequences.
Creative thinking is not only about art. It is the foundation of innovation, entrepreneurship, leadership, and emotional intelligence. The ability to see multiple solutions to a problem is what separates strong performers from true innovators.
At Art One Academy, we recognize that creativity is not something to teach from scratch. It is something to protect, strengthen, and develop over time.
We see it every day.
A four-year-old approaches a blank page without fear.
A ten-year-old starts asking if their drawing is good enough.
A teenager hesitates before trying something new.
The decline in creative confidence is gradual, but it is real.
That is why our programs are intentionally designed not just to teach technique, but to build creative thinking skills that last into adulthood.
Children need technical skills. They need to understand composition, perspective, shading, and color theory. But structure should support creativity, not replace it.
Our step-by-step guidance gives students tools while still encouraging interpretation and personal expression. No two artworks are ever identical, even when the lesson theme is the same.
Mistakes are not corrected with judgment. They are explored.
We actively encourage:
Students learn that experimentation is part of growth, not something to avoid.
Every project invites multiple solutions.
Every student is encouraged to think beyond the obvious.
Instead of asking, “What is the right answer?” we ask:
This builds mental flexibility that carries far beyond the art studio.
Research shows the largest drop in creative confidence happens between ages 8 and 15. This is when academic pressure increases and self-consciousness grows.
Our programs for children and teens are structured to:
Creativity does not disappear overnight. It fades when it is not exercised.
At Art One Academy, we treat creativity like a muscle that must be trained consistently.
While many of our students continue into advanced art programs, that is not the primary goal.
We are helping children become:
In a rapidly changing world, creativity is not optional. It is essential.
Protecting creativity is not about producing paintings.
It is about developing capable, adaptable adults.
If you would like to see how this looks in practice, we invite you to visit one of our studios, explore a class, or speak with our team. A single session can show you how quickly children reconnect with their natural creative confidence.
Because creativity is not something children need more of.
It is something they need protected.
