You’re wrong if you think the Arts are not that important at school: expert

Using the Arts to teach all subject areas including STEM is a critical building block towards children’s learning and development according to an education expert.

Dr Tracey Sanders is the Deputy Head of Education and Senior Lecturer in Arts Education for Australian Catholic University in Queensland. 

The former primary and secondary teacher said, “The Arts are critical to the learning process but many parents tend to see the Arts as simple playfulness.”

“The Arts actually help students to become more literate and numerate and better understand the traditional notion of the 3R’s – reading, writing and arithmetic.

“More importantly the Arts prepare children for their future through a new set of skills for the 21st century world – the four ‘C’’s – creativity, collaboration, critical thinking and communication.

“These skills offer a dynamic mix of educational, interpersonal, social, cognitive and emotional benefits as children negotiate and evaluate their own learning in the Arts.”

Some examples include using drama in the classroom to engage with an important moment in history and using areas of mathematics and elements of numeracy when making musical compositions.

“As a result of teaching with the Arts, students acquire a deeper understanding of the lesson,” Dr Sanders said. 

The educator urged all parents to “come on board” with the Arts and encourage their child’s love of creativity.

Dr Sanders also recommended that parents demonstrate their support by asking teachers how they use the Arts to teach other subject areas.

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