If you are wondering if art education is worth it, read this article for a list of reasons. Art Education improves the school climate, fosters creativity, and improves reading skills. But did you know that art education can also help your child in other areas of life? This article will explore some of the many ways art can benefit your child’s learning experience. So, whether you’re considering enrolling your child in art classes or just looking to make the world a better place, consider the benefits of art education.
Table of contents
Art education improves school climate
Students in art classes develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. These skills will be beneficial in the workplace as well. According to Harvard’s Project Zero, these habits of mind are naturally developed in students who are immersed in the practice of art. They will transfer to other aspects of their lives and schooling and are highly valued by employers. Students develop critical thinking, self-direction, and problem-solving skills in art classes.
Another study examined the relationship between arts education and disciplinary incidents. In arts-rich schools, students reported fewer disciplinary incidents. There were also fewer out-of-school suspensions. These findings are encouraging for art teachers. Increasing art participation in schools may also help improve the school climate. In a study of public schools in Missouri, students with more arts exposure were less likely to get into trouble. Higher arts participation was also associated with higher attendance, graduation, and test scores.
Arts education has long been neglected. However, recent efforts by the Bloomberg administration have shifted the focus from standardized tests to a more holistic vision of education. Today, nearly every school offers some sort of cultural programming and art instruction. In 2009, only 45 percent of elementary schools provided all of the four required art courses, and only 33 percent provided an option for students to go above the minimum graduation requirement in the arts. In New York, arts education is a critical part of school reform.
It fosters creativity
There are numerous benefits of arts education, including the development of creative thinking and innovation. As many as 72% of employers look for creative thinking in job applicants, and creativity is one of the top five skills sought by 21st-century companies. Moreover, students who take performing arts classes exhibit a more flexible, adaptable mindset. These are just a few of the reasons why your child should take part in an art education class.
In addition to developing creative problem-solving skills, art classes improve fine motor skills and coordination. Activities such as finger painting, cutting and gluing paper, and threading beads develop children’s dexterity, fine motor skills, and visual-spatial skills. Several studies have found a positive correlation between these skills and academic performance. Art classes also increase children’s chances of being recognized for academic achievement and reduce dropout risk.
When choosing an art class for your child, consider the benefits of an unstructured art program. Unstructured art classes encourage intrinsic motivation and allow children to express themselves freely. Focusing on the end product is not always the best way to encourage creative development, and it can lead to children performing poorly. Instead, encourage the child to explore and try out new techniques without the pressure of achieving perfection.
Art Education increases student engagement
An increased interest in the arts has numerous benefits for students and educators. According to a recent study, students who participated in arts education programs had higher daily attendance rates and better academic records than those who did not participate. In addition, parents of arts-educated students were more likely to be involved in school activities. The nonprofit EdVestors conducted the study examined a decade’s worth of data to determine the benefits of arts participation on student outcomes.
The research suggests that students who participate in art classes have higher achievement levels in math and science. Without the arts, students may experience difficulties in mastering their core subjects, have higher dropout rates, and experience disciplinary problems. Students who are exposed to the art may be more creative, more resilient, and less likely to experience a dropout or disciplinary issue. Ultimately, this study suggests that art education may serve a different function for students.
There are many benefits of arts education that test scores can’t measure. The most obvious benefits of arts education include increased student engagement. It also improves students’ visual analysis skills, allows them to be more creative, and encourages them to learn from their mistakes. Further, incorporating arts into a classroom will improve student achievement and motivation. The benefits of arts education go beyond improving test scores. As a result, these programs are becoming more popular in schools across the country.
It improves reading skills
A recent study examining the relationship between visual arts instruction and reading ability found that both improved with training. Researchers compared children who received arts-only instruction with those who received an arts-integrated reading treatment. Both groups showed improvement in reading and verbal skills. Students with an arts-integrated reading curriculum showed greater capacity for higher-order thinking. But does art education improve reading skills? How can it do that? Here are some possible answers.
One study at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum demonstrated that studying the arts improves reading skills. The study, called Learning Through Art, showed that students engaged in the program could better describe and reason about texts. The research also showed that children who were able to engage in visual art were better readers, both in math and English. The researchers concluded that learning the arts improves reading skills by sharpening essential cognition skills.
The study measured the students’ attitudes toward reading and their perception of how it improved their reading skills. Students were able to answer surveys on their perceptions of art education, stating that they were more likely to read when they were challenged with a project. Art educators often found that students were most motivated to read more if the project involved creating a work of art. This was true even for students who were not visually attractive. Further research is necessary to investigate this relationship and make the best use of the information gathered from the study.
Art improves memory for academic subjects
While art may be valued by society, it may not be highly emphasized in schools or other educational settings. And while tangible educational benefits may not be immediately apparent, they do exist. A study in Frontiers in Psychology found that engaging in the arts can significantly increase students’ emotional, physical, and psychological well-being. Furthermore, creative expression is associated with improved memory and lower stress levels. Finally, art experience can connect students socially and improve their overall health.
Although the findings of this study are encouraging, further research is needed to explore the mechanisms by which art education improves memory for academic subjects. The relationship between art and mental processing may involve an active role in the visualization process, which enhances the efficiency of cognitive processing. Furthermore, art-based learning can improve students’ retrieval speed and accuracy in tasks requiring visual concepts. Such studies are ongoing. The next steps in this direction include examining how art can promote positive changes in neural activity.
According to the results of a recent randomized controlled trial, students who received arts-integrated education had a better memory than those who received traditional instruction. However, the results were most prominent in less academically inclined students. The researchers concluded that the effect was strongest for those who were taught art in school instead of studying conventionally. Furthermore, they found that arts education improved students’ recollection of material. For these reasons, art-education programs should be considered when determining the best method for teaching academic subjects.
It fosters a sense of cultural awareness
Students who participate in the arts often exhibit greater leadership qualities, engage in learning about the culture of others, and develop skills in thinking and tactic building. Students who develop cultural awareness learn how to use their acquired skills effectively and develop great identity. They also have a greater understanding of global issues. Ultimately, art education fosters a sense of cultural awareness. In addition, it helps students build their self-esteem.
Studies show that students who are exposed to the arts are more likely to learn about diverse cultures and current events. Because they can relate to many cultures and people from many backgrounds, they learn to appreciate a wider variety of art forms. Art history helps children understand the concept of cultural diversity and how different cultures work. They process information in different ways than students who are primarily taught in a traditional classroom setting.
Art educators have a unique role to play in fostering a sense of cultural awareness. Students can learn about different cultures and how to create work that expresses these differences. Students can learn how visual signs influence their identity by presenting diverse art. They can also practice self-expression through art. This way, they can be active participants in their communities and participate in global issues. They can also engage in political activism.