The importance of arts in the curriculum

Some schools frown upon having the arts—creative writing, dance, music, theatre and visual arts—integrated into their education. They may only offer arts education as a supplemental programme for students.   At SISD, the Arts are an integral part of our curriculum and we practice the intersection of STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. As an example, those who study carpentry and welding learn skills as artisans. Athletic sports like gymnastics and figure skating incorporate dance.   In this blog, we’ll discuss several reasons ‌the arts are important in any educational curriculum.  

Skills development

  The arts are critical to any student’s personal and educational development. Teaching the arts helps children to develop fundamental language, motor and social skills, creativity, decision-making, and risk-taking. Music has been shown to improve executive functions, foreign language fluency, reading ability, and verbal memory. Music is a multifaceted, complex skill combining history, language, science and mathematics.   The arts introduce students to self-expression and allow them to use the creative side of their brain. Students become emotionally involved; they must reach inside themselves to use and express their thoughts, ideas, and emotions. When the most shy students develop artistic skills, they grow into accomplished and talented individuals with their own voice and an increased sense of self-confidence.   Reports have shown compared to children who don’t participate in the arts, those who practice the arts three hours a day on three days each week for one year are four times more likely to be academically recognised, take part in a math and science fair, or win a writing award.   A study of public schools in the state of Missouri found an arts education led to higher school attendance and test scores, fewer disciplinary infractions, and better graduation rates.  

Presents a different way to learn

  The arts challenge learners at all levels. The most restless students in a school may also be the smartest. When the arts are integrated with other disciplines, uninterested students can become more engaged in classwork. Teaching models that integrate the arts with core academic subjects help students gain greater academic achievement. Teachers can present difficult concepts visually, making them more easy to understand.   Art involves intrinsic motivation, which is doing an activity for fun. Intrinsic motivation only allows students to progress to a certain level, but applying extrinsic motivation to arts education—assessments, auditions, or tests—help students continue their growth.   Teaching the arts also involves critiquing students’ work. Students must take constructive criticism of their creativity. Learning not to take criticism personally will benefit them in the future when they receive it in social settings or throughout their careers.  

Connects students to the world around them

  Art is at the core of human identity and culture. The most important gift a teacher can give students is an appreciation and understanding of art and the ability to create it themselves.   Arts education may help students connect with the arts of their own culture and others. It can boost their sense of critical thinking and teach them to be more thorough in how they observe the world and act in real-life situations. It encourages an improved understanding of self and develops confidence. Not only may it prepare students for professional artistic careers, but also equips them with the skills they need to be successful in college and beyond.   In the visual arts, students learn about balance, colour, layout, and perspective, which are useful in digital and/or visual presentations of academic and practical work. Theatre arts teach about world history, culture, and artists in different time periods. The arts ask students to explore who they are and what their priorities and means of expressions are.   Students in a choir or music ensemble learn how to communicate physically, emotionally, and verbally, both with their peers and director/conductor, and with their audience. Theatre actors must communicate verbally with their audience with deep emotion and meaning.   Schools founded on an academic and arts curriculum give students a well-rounded education. If your child is at a school without an arts education, local nonprofits may provide supplemental arts programmes and/or fellowships, internships, performances and workshops.   At SISD, students from age 3 and up actively participate in art and music. In Primary grades, all students enjoy art and music twice a week, and we incorporate the arts into our curriculum. For more information about our programmes, contact our Admissions team at admissions@sisd.ae.