It’s a sad trend that we are seeing in public education. As school budgets get tighter, the first classes on the chopping block are usually the creative arts programs. Why would anyone want to take away the very programs that will enhance the student’s ability to learn more effectively? In the last 20 years, studies have proven that the stimulation of creativity is so very important in the school environment.
With an increased focus on “No Child Left Behind” and an increased push to achieve higher marks, often times budgets are stretched to buy more books, provide more testing time and increase more computer usage. While all of this is well and good, we (the American people) are missing the whole picture. Stress is put on the teachers to drill knowledge into children’s heads. Children are stressed by trying to cram as many facts as possible into their brains. It seems like an endless cycle with no way out. There is hope though.
Keeping the whole brain active allows people to stay alert and helps the neurons to establish new connections. Diversifying study materials and sparking imagination helps this. Interestingly enough researchers are also studying the affects of an “active whole brain” in the prevention of degenerative brain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s. So what do we need to do to achieve whole brain learning by including creative arts programs and how does it really help?
Albert Einstein understood how important music was to his work. He would often take time out (when needing a break) and play his piano or violin. The musical stimulation was exactly what he needed to continue his work. Whether he knew it or not (he was a genius, so I’m sure knew it) his musical “time out” relaxed his mind and lowered his stress level. This in turn increased the alpha levels in his brain. You see we generally function in a beta brain rhythm. When the alpha brain rhythm levels increase, the students are put in the perfect conditions to learn new information and retain those new facts. Not only that but performance is elevated to where learning languages and solving complex problems are much easier. In her book An Introduction to the Music Revolution Dr. Jeannette Vot outlines eight ways to use music to teach and learn. Her simple outline sets the foundation for teachers to build upon. Another music theory is called “The Mozart Effect”. Basically, the music of Mozart has been linked to improve student’s IQ. In a study at the University of California
With nearly one third of all students being visual learners, it would make sense that visual art is helpful as well. In fact research again points to that very fact. Children that are allowed to create art often times score higher in math, science and reading. Art teaches creativity and creative thinking. It also:
- Strengthens the thinking process
- Helps students develop problem solving skills
- Increases mastery of eye-hand coordination
- Relaxes most students because it’s a different type of thinking than what academic thinking is
- It’s a way for the student to express themselves and
- It brings enjoyment to most students
In Visual art the use of different colors will stimulate different emotions. The act of moving the hand in the creative process stimulates the brain as well. Whether it’s drawing a picture, scribbling colors to and fro or penning beautifully scrolled letters, that type of stimulation is needed. It has also been proven that the smell of crayons actually cause a relaxing effect, thus reducing stress.
So why, with all of the evidence, do school districts still continue to cut creative arts programs? We need to stand up for the children and their future. The facts are creativity & creative exercises stimulate the imagination. Imagination creates ways to solve problems. Problem solving creates hope, and hope makes the student (and teachers) feel empowered. Empowerment and hope lead to a positive movement towards a good and brighter future. With that in mind, won’t you stand with me in the quest to bring back the creative arts into our school districts?
