It’s no secret that the arts are often the first programs to be cut when schools are faced with budget cuts. This is a common occurrence in the United States and around the world, with many schools considering art and music courses as low priority. However, as we discuss why art is important, you’ll discover how crucial art and music education is for the growth and development of children.
In this blog, we’ll discuss why art is important in education and share 5 ways that art can benefit your student’s learning.
The Importance of Art in Education
There are a number of different ways that students can be exposed to the arts. Many schools have art and music programs that provide students with a variety of art mediums. However, with the recent budget cuts, many schools are lacking in these programs. This can lead parents to seek out alternative solutions, such as homeschooling or hiring a tutor. Let’s take a look at the reasons why art is important and how early integration of arts in education can positively impact your student’s academic success.
Why is Art Important: Music Boosts Brain Power
Multiple studies have shown that music stimulates different areas of the brain, including areas that are associated with academic achievement, such as reading and math. Studies have also shown that music activates the limbic system, which is responsible for emotional development and memory.
Exposure to music can lead to improved memory, as well as expose students to new words, sounds, and meanings. Music also leads to dancing, which improves motor skills and coordination. Students of all ages have been shown to have increased memory when exposed to music.
Why is Art Important: Art Improves Academic Success
Multiple studies have concluded that students who are exposed to the arts achieve higher academic success than students who have little to no exposure to art. Exposure to the arts can increase student motivation, as well as improve academic performance. According to the non-profit organization, Americans for the Arts, students who are involved in arts are:
4x more likely to be recognized for their academic achievements.
3x more likely to win an attendance award.
4x more likely to participate in math and science fairs.
3x more likely to be elected to a class office.
It’s also been proven that the arts lead to lower dropout rates and higher graduation rates, particularly for students coming from lower-income households. This is one of the main reasons why art is important, especially in lower-income school districts.
Why is Art Important: Arts and Music Enhance Creativity
Students who participate in music and the arts develop skills in innovation, which leads to an increase in creative thinking. Arts and music inspire students but also allow them to express themselves, and through the creative process, students learn to take risks by trying something new and then later showcasing these talents. Later in life, these skills are important in nearly all careers. Whether your student goes on to become a marketer or an accountant, the skills they learn through music and art will translate into all areas of their future lives.
Why is Art Important: Music Improves Social Skills
It is often thought that team sports teach important social skills, such as teamwork, discipline, problem-solving, and performing under pressure. However, playing an instrument for an orchestra, regardless of size, teaches students those same skills. During these music sessions, the group will need to work together harmoniously to craft proper work. Plus, these skills are helpful for students to make friends and later in life, interact with their coworkers.
Why is Art Important: Music and Arts Improve Language and Reading Skills
Students who are exposed to music have faster development in their brains, particularly in the areas that are associated with reading skills and language development. Those introduced to the arts at a young age learn words for colors and shapes used to create their art projects. Arts and music are essential in encouraging students to improve language learning, communication skills, and reading skills.
Students who are exposed to the arts and music have an increase in creativity, confidence, reading, math, language skills, and memory. There are several different ways that students can be exposed to the arts. Parents can insist that schools improve these needed programs. If there is not a good arts and music program at the desired school, parents can homeschool or hire a tutor. Homeschooling and tutoring ensure that the arts and music are interwoven into the core curriculum, so the student is exposed to them and its many benefits.
Art and Music Programs
In past elections, California has voted to fund arts and music programs to ensure that every program pertaining to the arts will be able to tailor art courses to the specific needs of the students that arise in each public school. This influx of funds ensures that the money cannot be spent on anything other than these programs, making it the largest arts program funding in the nation.
But why is this result important? Why would voters want to make sure there is adequate funding in place for arts and music programs?
Art programs are often the first to be cut when budgets shrink, deemed low priority compared to other programs, but they are actually important for the growth and development of students. If you weren’t previously a believer of art in education, we hope that the reasons we discussed about why art is important, have inspired you to encourage your students to participate in art.
Conclusion
The importance of art education in schools is often overlooked. While many people appreciate art for the way it enriches our lives, there are many reasons why art is important, including its significant impact on academic success, social skills, and the development of creativity. It is important to ensure that art and music programs are adequately funded in schools to provide students with the opportunity to develop these essential skills.
If a school does not offer the necessary resources, parents can consider alternatives, such as homeschooling or hiring a tutor. Start the learning process with Novel Education Group. Book a FREE consultation today to learn how Novel Education Group can incorporate art into your student’s learning.
