In 1961, the Children’s Art Month began as a way to emphasize the value of participating in art for children in elementary schools. Eight years later, it was renamed as Youth Art Month to include all students. Today, March is when Youth Art Month is observed. Most schools are having to cut art and music programs because budgets are shrinking, and yet, the arts have been shown to improve academics. The No Child Left Behind Act includes the arts as a core academic subject.
What Are the Arts?
Although many people think of drawing, painting or coloring when it comes to art, the arts encompass much more than just visual arts. Foreign language, music, dance, theater and fashion are just some of the disciplines within the arts. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, the arts include sculpture, architecture, furniture design, mosaics, poetry, literature, calligraphy and film making. Even weaving and needlework can be considered arts.
Students who were taught a foreign language in elementary school performed better than students who did not learn another language. Art studies and activities help keep students in school, especially high-risk students. Learning music is associated with higher achievements in both math and reading.
Sadly, children are no longer receiving sustained learning in music and theater. But there are many ways to incorporate more art into your child’s life.
- Simply create opportunities at home to sing, play an instrument or dance with your child. Give your child time to experience different art forms. Sometimes, schedules get so busy that there isn’t time to slow down.
- Encourage your child to get involved in activities in the community. Many libraries have extracurricular programs through the week for children in the community.
- Read together with your child. Explore poetry and literature together in a casual environment. Don’t read for a test, but teach your child to find enjoyment in words.
- Attend PTA or school board meetings to show support for art in the schools. Find out what is needed to offer these programs to kids and see how you can help.
- Watch your local calendar for cultural events to enjoy. Take day trips to local museums and nature centers. When you have a chance to visit different museums, take advantage of it. Throughout the summer, you may find free concerts in the parks, low-price theater programs and free days at local museums, but you have to watch for these opportunities.
- Search out local artists for classes and opportunities to explore new mediums of art.
- Give your child a camera and let him or her take pictures. Provide inexpensive art materials in your home. Encourage your kids to make mistakes when creating visual art. Sometimes, it’s through mistakes and accidents that the most is learned.
- Forget about rewards when it comes to creativity. Instead of making creative endeavors tied to incentives, let a child be intrinsically motivated to be artistic. Look at the process, not the product.
March Is Youth Art Month
The theme for this school year is “United Through Art.” Many schools and community events occur in March to celebrate visual art education for students. If your school doesn’t, you may have to seek out these opportunities to ensure a well-rounded education in art.
Your child doesn’t need to be the next Picasso or Yo-Yo Ma to enjoy being creative, viewing art and listening to music. Art helps a child be more communicative and observant. Through art exploration, your child can learn more about other cultures and traditions. Art is inclusive and diverse. Schools no longer have the time to devote to art study and creation. No child has to be left behind when parents, teachers and the community work together to offer opportunities to students.