As a parent, educator, and expressive arts facilitator, I’m compelled to revisit a crucial topic—why art as introspection is more essential now than ever before. We’re raising children in a tech-saturated world, and programs like mine, rooted in the power of imagination and expression, are more than enrichment—they’re a necessity.

For the full article that inspired this post, visit:

Spirit Science: Research Suggests Modern Parenting Is Preventing Brain Development

What Technology Is Doing to Our Brains—and Our Children

My thesis research aligned with growing evidence that exposure to technology is reshaping human development in dramatic ways. What began with television has now exploded into a digital flood—DVD players in cars, smartphones in every hand, and streaming services available 24/7.

But what is this doing to us? To our children?

Studies have shown that for every hour spent on a screen, we lose thirty minutes of face-to-face interaction. (Small & Vorgan, 2008). With more time spent interacting with screens than people, children are missing essential opportunities for emotional development, empathy, and introspective thought.

We’re creating a crisis of identity—and the fallout is emotional, behavioral, and cognitive.

The Power of Art in Self-Development

The foundation of my program is to empower the individual to connect with their Authentic Self—through creative expression. As Carl Jung theorized, the “transcendent function” allows access to the unconscious self through imagination. That’s where healing, awareness, and growth begin.

And yet, expressive activities in schools are being pushed out. Devices are replacing crayons, and apps are replacing imagination.

The result? A developmental crisis—especially among children and adolescents who need creative outlets to understand who they are, what they feel, and how they relate to the world.

The External Locus of Control

We often overlook one of the most damaging effects of overexposure to screens: the shift in the “mirror” that reflects the Self. Where once a child looked to a caregiver or mentor for reflection, validation, and emotional development, many now look to screens. The result is an external locus of control that undermines identity formation.

Devices, once like comfort blankets, have become digital pacifiers.

This excerpt from my thesis describes the long-term effects:

“Today’s society can be considered as having an enmeshed attachment to technology… Adolescents, coined ‘digital natives’ by Small and Vorgan (2008), have never known a world without screens. For them, digital media becomes a tool for self-reflection—but at the cost of their original quest for identity.”

We must help children stay connected to themselves—not their devices. Otherwise, we risk allowing them to grow up emotionally stunted, isolated, or chronically distracted.

Why Expressive Arts Matter-Now More Than Ever

We are not just discussing preference or enrichment. We are addressing developmental needs. Imagination is not optional. Creativity is not a hobby. It is how a child discovers who they are, and how they fit into this complex, chaotic world.

Art heals. Movement connects. Music unlocks emotion. And together, these tools awaken the dormant, powerful self that technology alone cannot nurture.

A Call to Action

Let’s lay the foundation early. Let’s protect and promote the Authentic Self in children and adolescents. Let’s bring creativity back to the forefront—not as an elective, but as a necessity.

Even cigarettes come with a warning label. Shouldn’t screen time?

If you found this article meaningful, share it. Reach out. Learn more about how expressive arts can transform your home, your classroom, and you/your child’s future.