Educational systems that are focused on traditional learning, like language arts and math, do not give children struggling in these areas a chance to learn other potential strengths. Children who have strengths in music, dance, theater, and art aren’t necessarily given opportunities during the school day to hone their skills. Most importantly, these children are lacking opportunities to feel good about themselves in ways that arts education can provide. Imagine not having at least a little time during the day to do something you are good at or express yourself in a way you feel comfortable. For children who struggle in traditional classrooms it could be a constant reminder that they are not “good enough.”
Something to consider- think about what arts education really provides. Is it really just downtime during the school day for children to do craft projects or take music lessons? I argue that it’s not.
- Arts education can be a way for children to process, reflect, and organize content in a way that is perhaps more meaningful than traditional learning.
- Arts education also helps children practice higher level thinking like: analysis of information, problem solving, and execution of ideas while also expressing their selves.
- For example, asking a child to make a bird and nest out of clay requires the child to recall a mental picture of what that means to them, attempt to represent this image, and also learn to manage challenges along the way, like birds have feathers but I’m working with clay and not feathers.
Arts education is an important part of school and unfortunately it seems to be less valued than traditional academics. In what ways does your child’s school allow your child to explore non-traditional academic subjects? Are there things you do at home or extracurricular activities you and your child are involved in to help supplement traditional learning?