Abstract
Family engagement, in many forms, has been shown to be an essential component to successful learning for children. A child's first exposure to the arts is often through family rituals and traditions. New research suggests these activities can form the basis for personal exploration and skill development and reinforce in-school learning. Because public schools continue to reduce art programs due to budgetary contraction, families and communities need to enhance and increase their commitment to informal arts and learning opportunities. These experiences can occur at home, in youth and arts museums, and in libraries and family-based organizations as evidenced by a range of events already underway throughout the country. Communication and outreach about the relevance and the science of arts and learning for families needs to be expanded. By recognizing the important role families hold it is possible to enhance learning through the arts at home and in the community. More targeted research is required to better understand how families can use the rich array of arts-integrated experiences in age-appropriate ways to enhance literacy, numeracy, social-emotional skills, and more.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 29-32 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Mind, Brain, and Education |
Volume | 5 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 2011 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
- Education
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience