Dillon- Magazine Article-1 1

inspired Rachel Dillon This article examines why art is important in schools. Students involved in art class really get to connect with each other. Students can just be themselves in an art class, by using creativity and collaboration. At “inspired”, we want to provide all different art mediums to elementary schools so they can really get creative and inspired.

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magine a child sitting in a classroom, trying their best to stay focused. Then it comes time for art class. On their way to art class, they start to envision molding clay on a board, and splattering paint on a canvas. But the reality is coloring paper with markers. There are so many benefits of having art in a kid’s childhood. According to many others, kids can develop a growth mindset, improved cognition, self-confidence, communication, and more, just from having an art class in school. We, at inspired, want to make sure that kid’s in elementary schools can have access to all different types of art supplies so they can reach their full potential using their creativity.

Academic Benefits

The arts are as important as academics, and they should be treated that way in school curriculum. Involvement in the arts is associated with gains in math, reading, cognitive ability, critical thinking, and verbal skill. The author claims, “The arts enhance the process of learning. The systems they nourish, which include our integrated sensory, attentional, cognitive, emotional, and motor capacities, are, in fact, the driving forces behind all other learning” (Jensen, 2001). Arts can also improve motivation, concentration, confidence, and teamwork. Arts really help by giving students that creative break during the day. Students can develop critical thinking skills through art which can help them with other subjects.

Sharon McCutcheon

Social Benefits

Swapp (2016) states, children that are involved in some sort of art class can develop a growth mindset, improved cognition, self-confidence, communication, deepening cultural and self-understanding, etc. Art in education promotes the skills children need in order to be successful in life. Through art in school, kids get to connect with others at a young age which improves social skills and gets kids ready for the real world; “Art does not solve problems, but makes us aware of their existence” (Abakanowicz, 2019). Pixabay

“Imagination is more important than knoweledge.” -Albert Einstein

Psychological Benefits

Sousa (2019) states, visual arts excite the internal visual processing system to recall reality or create fantasy with the same ease. During the brain’s early years, neural connections are being made at a rapid rate. Much of what young children do like, drawing, dancing or finger painting, are natural forms of art. These activities engage all the senses and wire the brain for successful learning. The arts really develop essential thinking tools. For example, pattern recognition and development or mental representations of what is observed or imagined. Art can help everyone in many different ways, whether it’s self- confidence, improved motivation, or communication. Art is extremely important for children, so they can develop amazing skills and become amazing people. At inspired, we want to make sure that kids have access to many different types of art so that they can develop and apply these skills. You can help by donating money to help buy art supplies. These children are our future, so let’s make them inspired.

Greene, J. P., Kisida, B., Bogulski, C. A., Kraybill, A., Hitt, C., & Bowen, D. H. (2019, February 21). Arts Education Matters: We Know, We Measured It. Retrieved March 7, 2019, from https:// www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2014/12/03/13greene.h34.html How the Arts Develop the Young Brain. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.aasa.org/SchoolAdministratorArticle.aspx?id=7378 Katy Independent School District. (n.d.). Retrieved March 7, 2019, from http://www.katyisd.org/dept/finearts/Pages/The-Importanceof-Fine-Arts-Education-.aspx Smith, F. (2009, January 28). Why Arts Education Is Crucial, and Who’s Doing It Best. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/artsmusic-curriculum-child-development Swapp, N. (2016, October 04). Creativity and Academics: The Power of an Arts Education. Retrieved March 7, 2019, from https:// www.edutopia.org/blog/creativity-academics-power-of-artseducation-neil-swapp The Importance of Arts Education in the Classroom. (2017, February 22). Retrieved March 7, 2019, from https://online.seu. edu/importance-of-arts-education-classroom/

Steve Johnson