This study aims to examine the role of art education in developing children’s imagination and expression at the early childhood and elementary school levels. Using a qualitative approach with a literature review design, the data were analyzed through content analysis. The results show that art education provides opportunities for children to explore ideas, emotions, and experiences through visual and creative activities. Learning activities such as drawing, coloring, and creating artworks encourage children to develop imagination, self-confidence, and expressive abilities. In addition, the findings indicate that imagination and expression are interconnected processes that occur simultaneously in artistic activities. This study discusses that children’s artworks are not only learning outcomes, but also representations of their experiences and interactions with their social and cultural environments. Therefore, art education should be understood as a holistic learning space that supports cognitive, emotional, and creative development in children.

Annasthasya, D., Alfindoria, I., Rahayu, S., dan Khair, O. I. (2025). Metodologi penelitian kualitatif: Tinjauan literatur dalam konteks pendidikan. Jurnal Ilmiah Multidisipin, 3(7), 423–429. https://doi.org/10.60126/jim.v3i7.1070

Aprilia, F. I., & Rugaiyah. (2022). Pengaruh manajemen pembelajaran seni budaya (seni rupa) berbasis project dalam meningkatkan kreativitas peserta didik kelas XII pada tingkat sekolah menengah atas. Jurnal Cahaya Mandalika, 3(2), 1563–1577.

Ariani, A., Werdina, W. A., Nugrahadi, G., & Soeriaatmadja, R. (2020). Drawing method with crayons as a medium of expression and imagination for children. JPPM (Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pemberdayaan Masyarakat), 7(1), 78–88. https://doi.org/10.21831/jppm.v7i1.31723

Caiman, C., & Jakobson, B. (2025). Aesthetic experience and imagination in early elementary school science: a growth of Science-Art-Language-Game. In Aesthetics, Affect, and Making Meaning in Science Education (pp. 98–118). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2021.1976435

Chang, C. P., Lu, M. C., Chang, Y. C., & Tsai, C. F. (2023). Correlations between Aesthetic Literacy, Imagination, and Creativity Performance. Creative Education, 14, 2111–2122. https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2023.1411134

Hardiyanti, W. D., Prayitno, P., & Pamungkas, J. (2025). Analysis of fine art learning to stimulate creativity in kindergarten. Aulad: Journal on Early Childhood, 8(3), 1204–1216. https://doi.org/10.31004/aulad.v8i3.1259

Harris, P. L. (2021). Early constraints on the imagination: The realism of young children. Child Development, 92(2), 466–483. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.13487

Inzoni, I., Sumarni, W., Widiarti, N., & Yuwono, A. (2025). Karya Seni Mozaik Berbahan Dasar Pasir Untuk Meningkatkan Motivasi Belajar Siswa Sekolah Dasar. Al-Madrasah: Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Madrasah Ibtidaiyah, 9(4), 2248–2264. https://doi.org/10.35931/am.v9i4.5561

Mardliyah, S., Yulianingsih, W., & Putri, L. S. R. (2020). Sekolah keluarga: Menciptakan lingkungan sosial untuk membangun empati dan kreativitas anak usia dini. Jurnal Obsesi, 5(1), 576. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v5i1.665

Marni, Y., & Mayar, F. (2023). Mengoptimalkan Pembelajaran Seni Rupa di Sekolah Dasar: Strategi dan Praktek Terbaik. Didaktik, 9(2), 2658–2667. https://doi.org/10.36989/didaktik.v9i2.950

Nipriansyah, N., Sasongko, R. N., Kristiawan, M., Susanto, E., & Hasanah, P. F. A. (2021). Increase creativity and imagination children through learning science, technologic, engineering, art and mathematic with loose parts media. Al-Athfaal, 4(1), 77–89. https://doi.org/10.24042/ajipaud.v4i1.8598

Nurhamidah, N., Astuti, F., Ardipal, A., & Jupriani, J. (2025). Peran Pendidikan Seni Rupa dalam Mengembangkan Kreativitas Siswa: Kajian Teoretis. EDU SOCIETY, 5(3), 2254–2263. https://doi.org/10.56832/edu.v5i3.2675

Pebrianty, R. D., & Pamungkas, J. (2023). Menggambar sebagai alternatif pendekatan konsepsi pendidikan seni rupa anak usia dini. Jurnal Obsesi, 7(1), 536–547. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v7i1.3696

Pratama, I. P. A. T. (2023). Penggunaan Aplikasi Sketchbook Pada Smartphone Untuk Membuat Variasi Pengalaman Kreatif Berkarya Seni Pada Pembelajaran Bidang Studi Seni Rupa. Jurnal Pendidikan Seni Rupa Undiksha, 13(2), 108–118. https://doi.org/10.23887/jjpsp.v13i2.64413

Qoumariah, S., Mustapa, N., Aisyah, S., Ulfah, S. M., & Chandrawati, T. (2025). Stimulation of Early Childhood Creativity through STEAM Learning Based on Loosparts Media: A Systematic Narrative Review. PAUDIA, 639–656. https://doi.org/10.26877/paudia.v14i3.1746

Ridwan, M., Suhar, A. M., Ulum, B., & Muhammad, F. (2021). Pentingnya penerapan literature review pada penelitian ilmiah. Jurnal Masohi, 2(1), 42–51. https://doi.org/10.36339/jmas.v2i1.427

Rohim, D. C., Hartono, Rokhman, F., & Wagiran. (2025). Eksplorasi Unsur Seni Rupa Dasar Berbasis Kearifan Lokal dalam Pembelajaran Seni Budaya: Strategi Pengembangan Kreativitas Visual Siswa Sekolah Dasar. Pendas: Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Dasar, 10(03), 221–230. https://doi.org/10.23969/jp.v10i03.34095

Rukoyah, S., Nursobah, A., & Jaelani, I. (2025). Analisis peran pembelajaran seni rupa dalam mengembangkan kreativitas siswa sekolah dasar. Jurnal Intisabi, 3(1), 94–108. https://doi.org/10.61580/itsb.v3i1.181

Sumirat, E. M., Sa’ban, S. Y., Monomo, N. J., Latama, R., Riska, Jois, N. A., & Katili, A. (2025). Seminar Membangun Dasar Kreatif Sejak Dini. Karya Nyata: Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat, 2(2), 131–141. https://doi.org/10.62951/karyanyata.v2i2.1464

Telaumbanua, K., & Bu’ulolo, B. (2024). Manfaat seni rupa dalam merangsang kreativitas anak usia dini. Khirani, 2(1), 123–135. https://doi.org/10.47861/khirani.v2i1.920

Winnuly, W., & Pamungkas, J. (2022). Analisis Penggunaan Bahan Sisa pada Pembelajaran Kreativitas Seni Rupa Anak Usia Dini. Jurnal Obsesi: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 6(5), 4631–4639. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v6i5.2637

Yam, J. H. (2024). Kajian penelitian: Tinjauan literatur sebagai metode penelitian. Jurnal Empire, 4(1), 61–70.

Zhang, C., Li, Y., & Hu, X. (2022). Integrated Exploration of Design Thinking and Children’s Art Education. Proceedings of the 2022 6th International Seminar on Education, Management and Social Sciences (ISEMSS 2022), 1754–1760. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-494069-31-2_206

Zultrianti, M., Supriatna, N., Gunawan, A., & Hendayani, S. (2023). Imajinasi Kreatif Dalam Kemampuan Berpikir Anak Sekolah Dasar, Penting Kah? Jurnal Elementaria Edukasia, 6(4), 1926–1936. https://doi.org/10.31949/jee.v6i4.7749