Drawing and Cognitive Attention: Building Creativity and Focus

What is Cognitive Attention?

Cognitive attention, in essence, is our brain’s selective spotlight. It filters out irrelevant stimuli, allowing us to focus on what truly matters. Paneri & Gregoriou GG, in their 2017 study published in Frontiers in Neuroscience, delved deep into this phenomenon. Their findings indicate a sophisticated network within our brains that operates every time we decide where to focus our attention.

Drawing: A Fundamental Act

Drawing, an act as old as human history, is often dismissed as mere recreation. Yet, it demands an intricate cognitive process. Every time a child picks up a crayon and starts to draw, they engage in multiple areas of their brain. From the fine motor skills needed to hold the crayon to the imaginative aptitude to dream up images, drawing is a full-brain workout.

The Dot Exercise: A Deep Dive

Here’s a simple exercise to illustrate the connection:

1. Draw a dot on paper using a crayon.
2. Focus on this dot for a minute.

It seems easy, but this act of focusing has profound implications. The dot, in its simplicity, becomes a challenge for the brain. In the midst of so many distractions, the brain needs to zero in on this singular point. And according to Nasneuro, repetitive tasks that challenge cognitive attention can bolster the brain’s capacity to focus. Over time, this can refine and enhance our cognitive processes.