Physiologically, the human brain consists of two parts, the left and the right hemispheres. The left brain is used in logical thinking and analytical processes; this is typically what is trained in school that consists of math, reading, and science. The right brain is used in emotional perception, intuition, and creativity. It is the right brain that is mainly used when a person is involved in creative endeavors such as making art. It is this part of the brain that typical school environment neglects to train. A 2001 study by the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development found that the arts enhance the process of learning and the systems they nourish, which include our integrated sensory, attentional, cognitive, emotional, and motor capacities, are, in fact, the driving forces behind all other learning (1). Not only do the arts help to develop the right side of the brain, it also cultivates important skills that benefit a child's development. A few benefits of the arts are that it expands creativity, visual learning, language development, cultural awareness, and improved academic performance. Although public schools have concerns that lead them to cut fine arts programs, I argue that the benefits of arts education may be more important than ever to the development of the next generation of children. One beneficial factor of the arts education is the development of creativity. Children express themselves through art on a fundamental level. When kids are
The Arts provides students with “valuable opportunities to experience and build knowledge and skills in self expression, imagination, creative and collaborative problem solving, communication, creation of shared meanings, and respect for self and others” (Lemon, 2011). The Australian Council of Educational Research (2004) have found that engagement in quality arts education positively affects overall academic achievement, engagement in learning and the development of empathy towards others. Present day, the integration of the Arts in education has become a recognised phenomenon worldwide compared to previous decades. This is evident through curriculum planning as the Arts is organised in an integrated and interdisciplinary manner (Barrett 2001;
Did you know that students that study art are more likely to be recognized for academic achievement? Art has been part of our life since we were little; we used to draw our family, pets, or paint in a coloring book. Nevertheless, at some point of our lives, we stop doing this either because of lack of interest or lack of support from our parents. The organization of Creative Kids Inc. (2016) is trying to solve the problem of lack of support for young artists. A possible solution for this issue is giving parents information about the developmental benefits of art that children can have as visual learning, self-esteem, and motor skills.
Throughout the years, hundreds of studies have been conducted regarding the correlation of art, creativity and one’s ability to learn. Although there is no direct scientific explanation for the results of these studies, their numerous and repetitive findings give them credibility. Reading through studies conducted by the Dana Foundation as well as the Arts Education Partnership one can find correlations between an arts education and improved learning as well as attention. In terms of engagement, one Dana study found that:
The brain is divided into two separate bisections, the left and right hemisphere, children need both sides of the brain innervated in order to learn properly. The left hemisphere is responsible for perceiving information more logically and analytically, it is the side that processes things math, science, and writing. Whilst the right hemisphere of the brain is responsible for more imaginative creative thinking, the importance of developing both segments of the brain is not something that should be overlooked. With the aid of the arts, children see there are an infinite set of different perspective, each complexity is in the eye of the beholder, this shapes how kids view and react to problems. Every child is different, and art can be compromised to each child's individual personality in a way math and science cannot. This results in separate individuals and a diverse society where no one is the same. Since the beginning, humans have naturally been innovative and found experimental ways to negotiate through life. Creativity is valued in any career path, just as much as logic, employers are looking for fresh new ideas rather than regurgitated information. For example in his article Anthony Fasano, a internationally known inspirational speaker who specializes in
Fine arts in schools have been debated for years. While many programs still exist, children are told that their fine arts education will not help them in school, or in life. This is false under all circumstances, as with the right teacher and motivation, a student can grow a passion for the arts. Though studies are still being conducted, there is great evidence that the fine arts are beneficial in the overall education of a student, as well as the world as a whole. Art programs should be kept in schools because of their amazing impact on the academic and personal lives of those who connect to it.
“After a certain high level of technical skill achieved, science and arts tend to coalesce in esthetics, plasticity, and form. The greatest scientist are artist as well” (Albert Einstein). In this advanced modern tech-world mostly people are dependent on science and technology, but arts also play an important role in education. Art creates balanced thinking and better imagination which helps humans to be successful in their career. Yo-Yo Ma intensely informs about important role of arts in modern education society throughout his essay Necessary Edges: Arts, Empathy, and education. Ma illustrates that arts should be also part of education, because it improve students to filter their imagination through disciplined knowledge. Liberal arts should be equal to science and technology because it creates new idea, and in this modern world people should think critical than divergent in their lives. Empathy teaches students to understand and simplify the complicated life. Collaboration include discussion amongst people or group to make things effortless. Moreover liberal arts itself is beauty such as performing arts, it values the beauty of imagination in modern society by art and sculpture.
The study of the arts belongs in every K-12 classroom. Participation in the arts is correlated with increases in cognitive capacity, reading, mathematics, critical thinking, and verbal skill (Lynch, n.d.). Artwork learning can additionally enhance focus, motivation, trust, and teamwork. Arts programming in schools helps close a gap that 's left many a youngster behind and acts as an equalizer of sorts. Children of wealthy parents are exposed to the arts whereas the children from low-income families do not have the same exposure. The research behind this paper will show that art belongs in the K-12 curricula in schools since education is fundamental to a child’s development.
A lot of people think that art can only go as far as a class in school, but in reality there is art around everyone. Art can be a way of life for some people, and for others it is simply just something they pass every single day. What they do not realize is that art can have benefits in different aspects in their life, in children's lives, and even the world around them.
There are people who think that the arts have no value as it does not help with child development and it hinders academic results. This is not true as mentioned earlier, the arts have a great effect on students academic achievements and it also helps with child development. Math scores increase depending on the art course being taken by the students. Students who took acting/play production or music theory courses had the highest math scores and the highest verbal scores as well.(Vaughn, Kathryn, and Ellen Winner 8) Art courses help child development and adolescent development as well. “Research conducted reveals that art learning experiences alter the attitudes of young people toward themselves and others and that students involved in theater arts show gains in reading proficiency as well as self-control, motivation, empathy and tolerance for others.
There are many ways that this decision of keeping art out of the school is hurting the children instead of helping them. With the addition of art children get to develop their own creativity and thinking style. Exposure to art can have positive effects mentally on the child in numerous ways. In participating in artistic projects, children will be able to try and experiment with new ideas and techniques that will help them develop and learn cognitive skills, problem solving, and cause and effect.
The arts should be known as a core academic subject. Arts should be in education at schools because it helps with all of the students classes. Music includes about every subject. Math, with the counting and rhythms. English in the reading of the music; Science in the history of the writers the music and what time the music was written; History is the time frame of the songs and the music that tells a story; Physics, in the way the instructor conducts. Clearly music is a pretty important art. For example drawing with shapes, shadows and lines help with the brain and how the brain works more creatively and effectively. Everyone who gets taught from the arts is benefited somehow. “Art does not solve problems, but makes us aware of their
Art education is often underestimated by many who believe that school was created to teach only analytical concepts such as mathematics and literature. However, research has shown that art courses are important, even necessary for students in elementary, middle, and high schools. These art classes may include not only visual arts but performing arts such as dance, theatre and choir. Barbara Streisand said, “Art does not exist only to entertain, but also to challenge one to think, to provoke, even to disturb, in a constant search for the truth,” (Quotations). Streisand points out that there are multiple benefits to art whether it be painted by a brush or sung from the heart. Art has the ability to allow people to see situations from
Schools that offer fine arts classes have lower dropout rates and raised attendance. The fine arts positively impact students of lower socioeconomic status more those of a higher status. The fine arts have no barriers for race, religion, and culture when it comes to being involved in the arts. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to be involved (Katy Independent School District). Without the arts these students have no outlet for creative capabilities and no way to express their talents. Students who need this way of expressing themselves are overlooked and they are the ones who need it the most (Dickson). When viewing the participation of arts in the eyes of a ten-year old, “It cools kids down after all the other hard stuff they have to think about” (Arts and Smarts: Test Scores and Cognitive Development).
I will admit, I was not looking for any certain topic as I scrolled to find this article; however, the headline caught my attention. As an art student influenced by art throughout life, I find the arts crucial to behavioral and social development in the early stages of our lives. According to the article Arts and Smarts, schools have been decreasing funding for the visual and musical arts as opposed to academic classes such as math, reading, science, etc. I chose this article because it focuses on many important factors dealing with art and social development.
Many young girls dream about being ballerinas when they grow up. Most adults think it is sweet, and some parents even sign their children up for dance classes. However, as they age, that dream of being a professional dancer appears to be inadequate. Why is that? In our culture, there is a lack of importance on the arts, and thus, a lack of funding. Many see the arts as frivolous and a cost that is not imperative to the success of a nation. On the other hand, one could ask how a country can be successful without a cultural identity that is largely created by the arts and humanities in the society. President Lyndon B. Johnson declared that, “Any ‘advanced civilization’ must fully value the arts, the humanities, and cultural activity” (Deb). Being a professional artist of any kind seems like an unstable career because there is a lack of consistent and substantial funding for them. The only way to change the funding crisis is to fight the cultural tendency to dismiss the importance of the arts. This will happen through educating those who have yet to lose that sense of innocence, wonder, and imagination, and integrating the arts into their academic and social lives.