Support the Arts
Remember the first time you watched your baby fall asleep to the sound of a lullaby? Or the time your preschooler discovered the beauty and excitement of creating a work of art with markers and a big sheet of butcher paper? Have you ever applauded as your children turned their favorite story into a lively drama? Or breathed a sigh of relief as your child finally mastered that difficult phrase in a new piano piece? Did you know that those simple experiences in the arts not only bring joy to children and parents, but lay important foundations for lifelong learning and achievement? I have just returned from speaking at a national meeting of researchers, educators and artists who focus on the role of the arts in children's learning. Because of powerful evidence about the value of arts experience in children's development--and because arts education so often is viewed as a "frill" or an "extra"--I decided to deviate from my usual question-and-answer format and devote today's column to this important topic. Whether you're a parent, an educator or any citizen concerned about the well-being of children in your community, here are some things you ought to know about the arts and children's learning:
· From early childhood through adolescence, arts education engages children in responding to, performing and creating works of art. Children develop skills, values and habits of mind crucial to their personal growth and development. Specifically, they develop what some experts call "the four C's": communication skills, cognitive abilities, creativity, and culture (for example, an understanding of how our culture is communicated and an appreciation of the diverse cultures that make up our society). These are essential skills and abilities for living and working in today's world.
· The arts often serve as a pathway to success in other academic subject areas. Specifically, the arts are a highly motivating and engaging way to promote literacy. Because the arts involve the whole mind and body, they can be used to enhance memory and understanding of any subject. And, for children at risk, the arts often are a way of developing an area of competence that can lead the child to a new sense of hope and confidence.
Several recent studies provide evidence of the value of arts education:
· At UCLA, Dr. James Catterall analyzed the school records of 25,000 students as they moved from grades 8 to 10. Students who studied the arts had higher grades, standardized test scores, better attendance and greater involvement in community affairs than other students. Among poorer families in the study, children who studied the arts improved their overall school performance more rapidly than other students.
· A Stanford study by Dr. Shirley Brice Heath found that at-risk students who were actively engaged in arts education showed improvement in confidence, leadership and overall school performance.
· The U.S. Department of Justice found that arts education was related to improved academic performance, reduced delinquency, and increased skills in communication, conflict resolution, teamwork and completion of challenging tasks.
· The College Board reported that students with four years of study in the arts outscored students with no arts instruction by more than 100 points combined verbal and math scores on the SAT.
In sum, research and experience demonstrate that active participation in the arts, in school and in the community, is central to the learning and development of young people. For a literate society, the arts are a basic part of a good education. You can learn more about the importance of arts education through the web site of the Arts Education Partnership, http://aep-arts.org.
Editor's Note: Dr. Martha Farrell Erickson, director of the University of Minnesota's Children, Youth and Family Consortium, invites your questions on child rearing for possible inclusion in this column. E-mail to mferick@tc.umn.edu or write to Growing Concerns, University of Minnesota News Service, 6 Morrill Hall, 100 Church St. S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455.
