(Photo Cred.David Wallace/The Arizona Republic)

Hi Friends,

I recently found this article from the Arizona Republic  entitled "Ballet program helps kids succeed." I was so excited to see local proof that the arts are critical to education... I nearly did a back-flip (if I could do a backflip.)  I did a brief google search- looking for other examples of such success and did not find much.  What I did find were multiple articles about cutting arts funding. Can it really be that with what we know about how the arts help language development (among other things) that we still don't value the arts for what they do for EDUCATION... ??  Forget all the positives that art brings as a healing agent, as an enjoyable pass time etc. etc.  If documented success exists from the implementation of art programs, why are we sitting on our hands? (or you know, sitting passively watching policy makers throw arts out the window, whatever metaphor you want to insert there...)

Still feel like the arts are 'just playing around'?  Well, play is important too! The newest issue of Scientific American Mind has an article about the importance of play for "normal social, emotional, and cognitive development. It makes us better adjusted, smarter and less stressed" Here is the online article.  The author also discusses a study conducted in 1966 about some Texas murderers. They found that most of these killers came from abusive homes and they never got to play as children.  It doesn't take much up upheaval in a child's life to interfere with their ability to play. Things that adults experience as normal can be traumatic for children; neglect can affect your child's brain. This is not an exaggeration.

You think play & and the arts are important now?? (yes I lump them together, especially for children.) I wish everyone knew how vitally important these things were... In a poor economy arts are often the first thing to be dropped. We think they are dispensable... They are not. If the arts help raise children's' test scores and play helps children... well, avoid becoming sociopaths  then they are vital... not only for the health and happiness of your family and  your own child, but to this country, and really the world. We need the arts people... the future of our society depends on it.

 I could go on and on about this one, but I'll leave it at that. If you have any articles or antidotes to share about the value of play and art please feel free to share  a comment.  

 - The madly passionate about the arts running blogger