During budget cuts, post-pandemic pressures, and teacher shortages, a new era of schooling has begun. While schools nationwide continue to face significant transitions, many wonder if art programs matter. The resounding answer is yes.
In 2019, two researchers at the Houston Education Research Consortium studied the benefits of arts education. Students engaging with arts education had a 4% reduction in discipline, a 13% increase in standardized writing scores, and an 8% increase in compassion for others.
Another study examined the lowest-income district in New York City – Public Middle School 223 in the Bronx. The school participated in a four-year arts integration program that took students from no arts learning to multi-faceted lesson plans with arts inclusion. Their four-year program revealed an 8% improvement in the students' Language Arts scores, a 9% improvement in their math scores, and less absenteeism.
Art is a crucial aspect of youth education. It enriches core learning while having the power to inspire creativity, enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills, encourage self-expression, and allow children to see the world in a whole new way. Incorporating art into core subjects like literacy, science, math, and social studies will reap incredible benefits in the classroom for students nationwide.
Literacy
Meaningful art experiences can increase literacy and reading skills. Children who make scribbles and rough shapes are learning that the direction and position of markings matter, a precursor to understanding the letters of the alphabet. Children who draw pictures about stories they read improve their comprehension.
Science
Art is packed full of science connections. Children conduct experiments without realizing it: mixing colors, paint-resist, and torn paper that changes shape through paper mache. Children are studying cause and effect, changes in state, and the properties of materials when experimenting with art. Art also presents an excellent opportunity to practice hypothesizing and problem-solving skills as children learn to overcome obstacles and find new ways to approach a project.
Math
A large part of math revolves around symmetry, structure, and shape – concepts also central to art. Geometry is one way that art and math merge. Simple shapes on a worksheet can become an engaging piece of art when kids are encouraged to experiment with arranging or creating the forms. Patterns, classifying, and visualization merge to improve learning outcomes.
Social Studies
Cultures around the world express themselves through art. When children learn about art, they learn about the context of history and its relevance to their lives. These teachable moments are hard to find in a textbook. When children analyze and interpret works of art, they develop their ability to think critically, make informed judgments, and learn to look at art from different perspectives, which broadens their understanding of different cultures and historical periods.
Art is crucial in youth development. In addition to the benefits when teaching core subjects, it also impacts behavior and communication. As children grow, they often struggle to express their emotions, making it challenging to communicate effectively. Art provides a safe space for children to express themselves and explore their feelings, helping them develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their world.
Art can have a positive impact on a child's overall well-being. Engaging in creative activities can relieve stress, providing a healthy way to cope with difficult situations. Art can also boost confidence, as children can take pride in their creations and see the value of their unique perspectives.
Now more than ever, it's crucial to prioritize art in youth education. It's essential to make art accessible to children everywhere, providing them with the tools and resources they need to explore their creativity and express themselves. Fostering a love of art in children can help them develop into well-rounded individuals with a deep appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the world around them. That's why Kids Art Box serves teachers, homeschool parents, and school districts with single-activity class packs for their classrooms, complete with art projects and supplies in a box to ensure that students have the resources and curriculum to bring these valuable skills to students nationwide. In honor of World Art Day and their commitment to making art more accessible to students everywhere, they will also donate a class pack big enough for each student in a class to do one of their single-activity art activities to three lucky teachers. Each teacher will be able to choose any one of our single-activity class packs to use for their classroom. Nominations for favorite teachers are here!
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Company Name: Kids Art Box
Contact Person: Layla Harrison
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Country: United States
Website: https://palmerpublic.com/
