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.
Junge, M. B. (2010). The modern history of art therapy in the united states. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas Publisher, LTD.
Holcomb, Sabrina. "Arts Education." Rss. National Education Association, 17 Jan. 2007. Web. 10 May 2016.
Smithrim, Katharine, and Rena Upitis. "Learning through the Arts: Lessons of Engagement." Canadian Journal of Education / Revue Canadienne De L'éducation. 28. Canadian Society for the Study of Education, 2005. 109-127. JSTOR. Web. 3 Apr. 2012. .
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.
„h Creative art therapy is not about what the finished product looks like, but what it represents in the form of expression.(the client¡¦s)
“Art therapy is a form of therapy in making of visual images (paintings, drawings, models etc.) in the presences of a qualified art therapist contributes towards externalization of thoughts and feelings which may otherwise remain unexpressed”(Walter & Gilory, 1992).
Brooke, S.L. (2004). Tools of the trade: A therapist's guide to art therapy assessments (2nd ed., Rev.). Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas.
The arts are not only a nice way to pass time; the arts can greatly help with education. Schools in the United States have encouraged children to have an outlet and if the outlet is not sports, most kids take some kind of art class. According to Velasco (2012), a child development specialist, certain students who have taken at least one art credit every year since the start of third grade were more likely to comprehend math and literature easier; for example, counting the beats in every stanza of music or learning the history and background of song lyrics. Velasco also states that students scored 1.5 times better in standardized tests, than kids who did not take an art credit. By helping schools fund art programs, the skills learned by students taking these classes can ultimately help schools excel in academic achievements, and they can aid students to a brighter future.
processes of art expression in therapy, Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 21:3, 125-135
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.
Not only can art help improve a kids education over all, having it taught as a regular part of the curriculum helps children learn to express themselves in a way that is safe and promotes problem solving. There is no right answer in art so it allows the student to explore all options before finding the one
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.
A child’s drawing can tell so much about what they are thinking and feeling about their surroundings. They see things differently from adults and teens because when they are drawing or doing some sort of art they are not told that it is a “bad picture” or what ever they are doing is “not right.” They don’t have a limit upon their thoughts and ideas, but when they grow up, they do. Starting from the first day of school, they are taught about the wrong things and the right things. As we grow older there are more classes that have right and wrong answers to a question like, for example, math.
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.
When I was in high school, I was very involved in the arts. I took a band, choir and two years of visual art. During the years of high school, I knew that the fees for the art courses cost much more than other electives at my school. I also observed that the school focused more on their athletic and academics programs, than on their art programs. We had many fundraisers to raise more money for the art programs even after paying an already expensive fee to takes these electives. Schools are neglecting the visual arts programs and placing all of their money and focus on academics and athletics programs. I propose a balance between the arts, academics, and the athletics.