Children who paint more likely to grow up into entrepreneurs

Children who paint or play music are more likely to turn into successful business people with their own inventions when they grow up, according to new research

A study of graduates found those who went on to own patents or companies received up to eight times more exposure to the arts when they were at school than the general public. The findings, published in the journal Economic Development Quarterly, means any budding Picasso or Beethoven may in fact be destined to become the next Bill Gates.

   
Scientists said those pricey piano lessons or random toy parts littering the floor may one day lead to the next big breakthrough. They analysed students majoring in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) at their Michigan State University between 1990 and 1995.

   Dr Rex LaMore said the most interesting result was the importance of sustained participation in art and music when it came to coming up with their own ideas. He said: "If you started as a young child and continued in your adult years, you are more likely to be an inventor as measured by the number of patents generated, businesses formed or articles published. And that was something we were surprised to discover.”

The study found 93 percent of the STEM graduates reported musical training at some point in their lives, as compared to just 34 percent of average adults. They also reported higher than average involvement in the visual arts, acting, dance and creative writing.

   In addition, those who had been exposed to metal work and electronics during childhood were 42 percent more likely to own a patent, while those involved in architecture were 87.5 percent more likely to form a company. Children with a photography background were 30 percent more likely to have a patent. The researchers say such activity fosters 'out of the box' thinking. In fact, the group reported using artistic skills such as analogies, playing, intuition and imagination to solve complex problems.

Dr Eileen Roraback, of the university's Centre for Integrative Studies in the Arts and Humanities, said: "The skills you learn from taking things apart and putting them back together translate into how you look at a product and how it can be improved. 

"There is also creative writing. In our study a biologist working in the cancer field, who created a business, said her writing skills helped her to write business plans and win competitions.”

The researchers claimed their results could be crucial to rebuilding the US economy. Dr LaMore added: "Inventors are more likely to create high growth, high paying jobs in our state, and that is the kind of target we think we should be looking for. So we better think about how we support artistic capacity, as well as science and math activity, so we have these outcomes."

Bron: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/10401603/Children-who-paint-more-likely-to-grow-up-into-entrepreneurs.html?fb