Assignment:
Discussion 1: Integrating the Arts
The arts have been an inseparable part of the human journey; indeed, we depend on the arts to carry us toward the fullness of our humanity. We value them for themselves, and because we do, we believe knowing and practicing them is fundamental to the healthy development of our children's minds and spirits. That is why, in any civilization-ours included-the arts are inseparable from the very meaning of the term "education." We know from long experience that no one can claim to be truly educated who lacks basic knowledge and skills in the arts.
-National Standards for Arts Education
For centuries, people have been considering the value of the arts to the growth of the human mind and spirit. As educational funding is cut, the arts are often the first to be eliminated from a program. The arts are not always considered a priority or part of an essential path to healthy development and learning. This can create challenges to providing well-rounded, deeply satisfying learning experiences for young children.
For this Assignment, you will examine the funding for the arts through the perspective of an administrative position.
To Prepare:
After reviewing the Learning Resources for this module, consider how the arts are currently being integrated into early childhood settings and how the arts can promote healthy development and meaningful learning experiences. Identify additional resources that support the vital role the arts can play in development and learning when integrated into early childhood settings.
Next, imagine the following:
You are the director of a preschool or local school board who has been invited to give a presentation on why funding should be budgeted to support integrating arts in your learning environment. Using examples and evidence-based research, substantiate your thinking in order to move your perspective forward.
Post a write-up AND a PowerPoint presentation that addresses the following:
• A rationale for how the arts and creativity enhance children's healthy development and learning
• How the arts can encourage social-emotional, cognitive, and even physical development and growth
• How the arts can promote meaningful learning experiences
• How integrating the arts can complement and enhance standardized curriculum
• At least 2 to 3 examples of how the arts can be incorporated into children's daily learning experiences
The PowerPoint presentation should contain at least 5 slides and the written form should be at least 1 to 2 pages in length. Both forms of this Assignment should include at least 2 additional scholarly resources.
Part 2
Read a selection of your colleagues' postings.
Respond to two or more of your colleagues' postings as a member of the school board. Based on your colleagues' arguments, would you vote for more funding for integrating the arts in early childhood programs? Why or why not?
Cite appropriate references in APA format to substantiate your thinking
Supports Discussion 1
Camilleri, P. (2012, January). Integrating drama and arts processes into everyday learning. Educating Young Children, 18(2), 37-39.
Garvis, S., & Pendergast, D. (2011). An investigation of early childhood teacher self-efficacy beliefs in the teaching of arts education. International Journal of Education and the Arts, 12(9), 1-16.
Koralek, D. (2010, March). The performing arts: Music, dance, and theater in the early years. Young Children, 65(2), 10-13; 47-48.
Strauss, V. (2013, January 22). Top 10 skills children learn from the arts. TheWashington Post.
Ward, K. S. (2014). Creative arts-based pedagogies in early childhood education for sustainability (EfS): Challenges and possibilities. Australian Journal of Environmental Education, 29(2), 165-181.
Hancock, D. R., & Wright, S. W. (2018). Enhancing early childhood development through arts integration in economically disadvantaged learning environments. The Urban Review, 50(3), 430-446.
Malone, K. L., Tiarani, V., Irving, K. E., Kajfez, R., Lin, H., Giasi, T., & Edmiston, B. W. (2018). Engineering design challenges in early childhood education: Effects on student cognition and interest. European Journal of STEM Education, 3(3), 1-18.
Todhunter-Reid, A. (2019). In-school arts education and academic achievement: A child fixed effects approach. Arts Education Policy Review, 120(2), 112-119.
Brown, E. D. (2020). The art of early childhood education. State Education Standard, 20(1), 14-20.