Elementary art provides students with experiences to learn how to communicate through art, develop skills in visual problem solving, as well as craftsmanship and technique. Art teaches students to appreciate historical and current purposes for the creation of art and its cultural diversities. Art encourages students to make connections to real-life and other subjects. Art stimulates the development of critical and creative thinking skills. Teaching the curriculum of art is an ongoing process. The elements and principles of design, which are the basic building blocks of art, are introduced in kindergarten and reinforced and expanded upon as the student grows.