Art education in schools, particularly at the early childhood and primary levels, plays a significant role in shaping children’s character and fostering a broad spectrum of skills. Although frequently regarded as a recreational activity, art serves as an effective medium for supporting children’s cognitive, emotional, motor, and social development.
This perspective is demonstrated in the Art and Creativity Performance by students from Awal Mulia Kindergarten and Kimia Tirta Utama Elementary School. Supported by PT Astra Agro Lestari Tbk (Astra Agro) in Riau, these schools successfully organised an event featuring a diverse array of performances, including traditional and modern dances and regional song competitions.
During the primary school years, children experience a critical stage of development as they begin to comprehend their social and emotional environments. At this stage, arts education provides a valuable medium for expressing emotions and imagination that may be challenging to articulate verbally.
Accordingly, the art performance was structured as a platform for expression and contextual learning, encouraging children to perform confidently, collaborate, appreciate diversity, and develop empathy from an early age. Each student’s performance conveyed messages addressing significant social issues, including anti-bullying, cultural diversity, and healthy lifestyles. These values were introduced in an engaging and age-appropriate manner.
The Sub-district Education Coordinator (Korwilcam) of Koto Gasib Sub-district, Sutikno, who attended the event, commended the schools’ efforts to integrate art into the educational process. He stated that each form of art offers children opportunities for holistic development, encompassing cognitive, emotional, and social growth.
‘This performance represents an ideal culmination of the learning process, particularly as it takes place just before the school holidays. The children have acquired valuable experiences that are not always accessible in every school. Congratulations to all students, teachers, and organizations who have supported the performance and the educational process to date,’ said Sutikno.
The Art and Creativity Performance by students of TK Awal Mulia and SDS Kimia Tirta Utama forms part of Astra Agro’s ongoing commitment to enhancing educational quality. Through such activities, schools are expected to become safe, inclusive, and inspiring learning environments that foster a young generation characterized by creativity, strong values, and competitiveness.
This commitment is also reflected in SDS Kimia Tirta Utama’s achievement at the national level, where it was awarded the National Adiwiyata School title. This achievement was born of the school’s consistent implementation of various flagship environmental programmes, including the separation of organic and inorganic waste, cultivation of medicinal plants (TOGA), construction of greenhouses, and establishment of a smoke-free zone in the school environment.
Masrikan, Principal of SDS Kimia Tirta Utama, said that the school’s success is inseparable from students’ enthusiasm for learning and for developing their potential, not only in the academic field.
‘The support of parents as primary educators at home, along with ongoing guidance from Astra Agro, are key factors in advancing the school’s progress and optimizing student growth and development,’ he concluded.
