are key elements of art-based learning. The arts, both in arts classes and through interdisciplinary learning, foster cross-cultural understanding. When students perform the music, stories, and dance of other cultures, they embody that artist or culture, leading to increased empathy and kindness towards other students and cultures.
Arts Education Matters
How Creative Projects Help Kids Learn
By Debbie Yarrow
T
he arts make a difference in the lives of children—every day and over their lifetimes. California Education Code requires schools to provide all forms of arts education to students in grades 1–12 (Sections 51210, 51220). Research provides evidence that an education in the arts—music, visual art, theater, dance, and literary and media arts—helps children in fundamental and complex ways. It gives students strategies to better understand themselves, their peers, their communities, and the world around them. In addition, high-quality, diverse, culturally representative arts education provides equity to students, particularly those in underserved communities.
Start Young Actively participating in the arts from an early age is a game changer. Studying the arts stimulates the young brain and results in improved cognitive processing, memory, language skills, and literacy. Children can use the arts to practice self-control 24 SonomaFamilyLife
and positive behaviors. Arts classrooms offer a high-trust, low-risk space for students to learn about themselves and others. Cultivate Empathy Empathy is developed through imagination and perspective, which August 2022
Build Community Through instruction from trained arts educators, students can develop their identities and their communities.
“Learning to play a musical instrument changed my child’s life.” —A parent Children are given the chance to express themselves and find their voice. Supportive, tightknit communities develop from rehearsals, collaborative projects, and performances. A community requires accountability from its members. Children learn how their actions affect others. Attendance, managing behaviors, and practicing social skills matter to the overall success of the group. Students “find their people,” creating friendships and memories that last a lifetime. Enrich Academics The arts bring learning to life! So much critical thinking as well as physical, emotional, and social skills go into learning an art. It is important for children to have the opportunity to truly immerse themselves in developing arts skills. Through their lessons, arts teachers also inherently teach language, literacy, math, and science, which www.sonomafamilylife.com