Students Share Heartfelt Love for the Arts
During a time when some schools and school districts are minimizing the importance of the arts and even getting rid of arts classes and arts specialists, students are speaking out about why the arts are important. Feeling successful at something, discovering a talent, developing that talent, reducing stress, and helping them to feel grounded while life is tough are just some reasons that students love the arts. Recently, instructional coaches in Utah asked students how they feel about arts education.
Communication and academia can be developed with the practice of music, according to some students. “Music for me is everything. It helps you with everything! Like If you listen and sing lyrics, it can help you with your reading and speech,” said a fifth-grade boy. “The reason music is so important to me is because it’s another way to communicate with other people, and it just helps show all of the fun stuff,” said a fifth-grade girl.
Watch a video of Legacy Elementary students sharing the impact music has had on their lives.
One fourth-grade student said that music helps him to learn things through sound and it’s also important because it’s a way to make people happy. “It can help people stop fighting,” he said. Another elementary student said that music is amazing because it can help us with everything. “If something is going on that is hard for you, or it can help with anything that feels hard for you that you don’t have the words. That’s why it's important to me,” she said. Even young students are realizing the far-reaching effects of music!
Creativity is on the minds of students as they think about the arts. A fifth-grade boy said, “I like art because I get to be creative and make my own choices. There is no wrong way in art. It's nice to have a space where you don't worry about mistakes.” Another fifth grader said that she gets to express all of her creativity when she is in art class. “It's important because later in life if you are not creative you might have a hard time in your job,” she said.
Watch a video of Alpine Elementary students sharing their love of music.
Much research has shown that the arts can improve happiness, reduce stress and promote hope. Students as young as third grade agree! “I feel pretty happy about coming to music class. I want to learn all about music that I can, I’ve been trying to find the right instrument for me. I haven’t found it yet but I’m going to keep trying. When I came, I felt happy to see the music teachers and learn about new regions and the new songs that come from those regions. When I hear music from other places it feels like my music but just changed around a bit. I love getting to try different instruments,” said Shawn, third grade.
“What I love about music is that it shows your feelings, and you can tell people how you feel through music,” said a fourth grader. “I think music is super important because it can help you be happy and it’s something that you can do for fun,” said another.
Others voiced similar thoughts about music and the other arts:
“Music is important to me because it’s a way to show your emotions and connect with people.”
“I think it’s important to have music in school because it helps everybody to have smiles on their faces.”
“I love music because you can express yourself and it’s a whole different language to learn.”
“When you sing, you feel so special inside.”
“Other times, people might be quiet or they might not like to talk. But music brings us together.”
“When my grandma passed away, I just kept on singing.”
Watch a video of Harvest Elementary students describing how engaging in music at school improves their academic experience.
Improved mental health, interpersonal communication, help with other curricular areas, improved motor skills, enhanced decision-making skills, deeper creativity, fun and happiness – these are just some of the benefits of the arts with children and in the schools. Students agree!
Laura Giles is a lover of all things art, a first-grade teacher in Alpine School District, a writer for The Daily Herald newspaper, an Arts Leadership Academy graduate and has earned the Arts Integration Endorsement from Brigham Young University. She can be reached at LauraCGiles@gmail.com.
