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the importance of art in education
the importance of art in education
the importance of art in education
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In today’s society, much of our evaluation of academic achievement is based on a very narrow perspective of what sort of capabilities determine a child’s intelligence. The typical mindset of today’s educational systems views students who receive high scores on standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT as high ability students; such a statement, although true, limits the opportunities of students who are, in fact, intelligent, but in different academic areas. Because of the recent focus on math and reading scores, schools are doing away with art-related programs at an aggressive and alarming rate. What many do not realize, or rather, realize, but fail to acknowledge, is that involvement in art encourages development in many different areas and has been shown to improve a child’s overall performance (Arts). Involvement in visual arts enables children to begin building important life skills at a young age. Therefore, integrating art programs into the young child’s educational curriculum will help them reach maximum potential throughout their lifetime. Visual arts should be kept in schools because it enables children to express themselves, improves academics, and provides a therapeutic outlet that encourages maximum opportunity for development. One of the many benefits of involvement in visual arts is self-expression. A piece of art often reflects the mood of the artist or depicts a scenario that is related to an incident of importance in the artist’s life (Schlerf). As a result, visual art has become a helpful tool of communication. This is especially true for children, who may not know how to otherwise convey their feelings. These feelings could be expressed outright or through a metaphorical approach. Children might communic... ... middle of paper ... ...hing Group. Harvard Graduate School of Education, 2011. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. "Fact Sheet About the Benefits of Arts Education for Children." Americans for the Arts. 04 Apr. 2009. Web. 14 Sept. 2011. Schlerf, Lauren. "Arts Education Initiative: Therapeutic Potential for Children - Erika Schnaps." MyPortfolio. University of Southern California, 07 Mar. 2011. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. Smith, Fran. "Why Arts Education Is Crucial, and Who's Doing It Best | Edutopia." K-12 Education & Learning Innovations with Proven Strategies That Work | Edutopia. Edutopia, 28 Jan. 2009. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. "What Are The Benefits Of Art Programs? | LIVESTRONG.COM." LIVESTRONG.COM - Lose Weight & Get Fit with Diet, Nutrition & Fitness Tools. Demand Media, Inc., 2011. Web. 14 Se "What Is Art Therapy?" Art Therapy. International Art Therapy Organization, 2009. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. 1.
Holcomb, Sabrina. "Arts Education." Rss. National Education Association, 17 Jan. 2007. Web. 10 May 2016.
Pogrebin, Robin. "Book Tackles Old Debate: Role of Arts in Schools." New York Times08/04/07. Web. 26 Sep. 2011. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/04/arts/design/04stud.html
While traditional methods of talk therapy can be a great option for children who are experiencing mental health issues or disabilities, some children find it difficult to effectively express what they are experiencing in a formal clinical setting. The use of expressive/creative arts as a mode of therapy allows for a meaningful and more relatable exploration of the issues a child may be facing. Expressive art therapy is a therapeutic approach of incorporating art, with the goal of promoting growth and healing within an individual (Malchiodi, 2013). Expressive art therapy encompasses many creative art modalities:
Manzo, Kathleen K. "Districts and Partners Coordinate on Arts Education." Education Week. Gale, 18 June 2008. Web. 3 Apr. 2012.
This paper entails the struggle that fine arts are facing in the school systems today. Fine arts include music, art, drama and dance. The funding for most, if not all school systems is being threatened in the worst way. Without proper funding, these programs will become non-existent in children’s lives. Not only are the aforementioned programs responsible for most of the entertainment in today’s school systems, there are many studies that show the significant, positive impacts on students that fine arts such as drama, art, and dance have on students. Below, the struggles of state and national funding for the programs will be discussed, as well as possible solutions that can be made to keep these programs available in schools.
Much too often in America today, modern music and art programs in schools are perceived to many as extracurricular activities rather than important subjects that are vital to a students learning and skill development. The truth of the matter is that encouraging music and art education in public schools has a much larger impact on student’s grades, academic performance, and the economy than the majority people realize. Within the next year city school budgets will be dropping by twenty five percent, and despite the fact that music and art programs have been showing a dramatic contribution to student’s learning, this substantial drop in funding for the programs will lead to no dedicated money for art or music programs (Mezzacappa). There is no doubt that a cut in funding for art programs will take a huge toll on students overall grades and test scores. Research has found that the studying of music and art facilitates learning in other subjects and enhances children’s skills in other areas (Brown). Furthermore, providing students with a creative outlet can do great justice in reducing the stress from many other classes and even offer insight for students in possible career paths involving the art field. The art industry today currently supports 4.1 million full-time jobs (Dorfman). By increasing the funding of music and art programs for students preschool through twelfth grade we can see a dramatic increase in the education of children across the United States, assist with skill development in young students, and greatly benefit the economy at the same time.
All types of Therapy work to develop the human body to a healthy state of processing and developing mental and physical actions. Therapeutic Art involves the creation of art in order to increase awareness of self and others. This in turn may promote personal development, increase coping skills, and enhance cognitive function. It is based on personality theories, human development, psychology, family systems, and art education. Art therapists are trained in both art and psychological therapy. Therapeutic art has created an individualized process of expression and self-exploration with the intent for extensive therapeutic intervention. In the process patients can experience the underlying message of your art, which will aid within the healing
Many people, including both children and adults, have mental illnesses that may result in necessary therapy or treatment. One type of therapy used on these patients is art therapy. Art therapy is the mix between the methods of psychotherapy along with creative outlets, such as creating art. It is an attempt to heal the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the patient. Art therapy uses art media and includes “special techniques [which] are often particularly useful in helping people express their feelings, develop social skills, solve problems, reduce anxiety, or resolve emotional conflicts” (Cosentino ). The creative process is also used to explore the client’s feelings which includes managing behaviors and addictions, developing social
Art and its education are crucial in the development of young children. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to ensure that our young children are being taught about art and its education in order for them to be successful contributing members of society. June Vail, a professor of dance at Bowdoin College explains, “The arts bring energy and creativity, a kind of learning that can only enhance every other kind of learning. (Vail).” She continues by saying that, “The enterprise of a liberal arts education is integrative, to educate students to be creative and flexible, to harness their energy in a different way (Vail).” Art begins to lay the foundation of success early for young children by developing their motor skills through paining with a paintbrush and drawing with crayons. Furthermore, it also helps promote language development by learning new shapes, colors, and allows them to describe their artistic creation. Lastly, it also helps children improve academically. A report that was done by the Americans for the Arts demonstrates that young people who participated regularly in the arts are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement, participate in a math or science fair, or win an award for writing an essay as opposed to students who do not participate in the arts (PBS). As a result of this, it is imperative to ensure that adolescent children of today begin
Jane Alexander, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), once said, “Many children are missing out on something which gives their education context, gives their lives depth and meaning, and prepares them to be the future workforce.” This “something” that she spoke of is music and art education. Unfortunately, she is entirely correct. We are currently seeing in our country a dramatic cut in arts education curriculum in our public schools due to the limited amount of both time and funding. In many cases budget cutbacks mean arts education cutbacks. This limited amount of resources often forces administrators to place a value on the various subject areas. There is always a demand for greater concentration upon the traditional basics: English, math, science, and history. There is also a new focus on computer competency and a renewed focus on the need for foreign language education. Add to this health education, family life education, industrial arts education, AIDS education, home economics, physical education, and business education and one begins to wonder where arts education fits in.
Velasco, J. (2012, December 11) Scientific Learning. “How The Arts Can Help Students Excel” Retrieved April 18, 2014, from http://www.scilearn.com/blog/how-arts-help-students-excel.php
Kaiser, M. (2002, June). National standards of art education. Retrieved October 29th, 2002 from http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/. Provides the national standards for art education. Also has teaching materials and professional resources for art educators.
A child learns to pay attention and observe when she draws an object that she is looking at. She learns to plan ahead and follow through when she sketches a series of preparatory pictures before creating a complete painting. Sometimes children express their feeling such as the fear in drawing or acticng. we need to give them this opportunity to release their fear.
Art Education is not always valued in school settings. Although some may see it as an unnecessary use of school funding, there are many who believe it is beneficial to students in more ways than one. There are many different studies that have been conducted to test the effects that art education has on school-aged children. Some studies have proven that art education can help students to improve in other academic areas. In a journal article from Ohio State University’s “Theory in Practice,” Karen A Hamblen states, “There are linkages between art learning and learning in other subjects areas and that art study can promote creative behaviors, critical thinking skills, and academic achievement.” It has also been found that the arts can teach children better self-regulatory strategies, and even foster more confidence and self-efficacy in school which relates to confidence in academics. Overall, art education in schools has been very beneficial and has proven to ignite creativity, confidence, critical thinking skills, and academic achievement in students.
"Why Arts Education Is Crucial, and Who's Doing It Best." Edutopia. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 May 2014.