In an era of shrinking state and federal funding to schools, cutbacks are inevitable. Most often, the programs to suffer first and most seriously are art and music. Think back to your elementary school days and remember the pride and sense of accomplishment you felt bringing home your first finger-painting masterpiece or playing your first rendition of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" for your parents on the piano. Not only are music and the arts fun activities that allow children to express their creative interests but there is also evidence that art and music programs help children excel in other academic pursuits.

Experts agree that involvement in the arts teaches children to be more open and tolerant, promotes individuality, improves overall academic performance, strengthens critical thinking and problem solving skills, improves self-esteem, aids spatial reasoning skills, improves school attendance and helps bridge gaps across socio-economic boundaries. In addition, organized after-school art and music programs provide an alternative to delinquent behavior that can arise during idle after school hours. On the musical side, The National Association for Music Education states that very young children are capable of developing critical thinking skills through musical ideas. They add that children coming from diverse backgrounds bring valuable attributes, such as home languages and cultures, that enrich everyone in the learning environment.

From dance, drama, and drawing to chorus and clarinet, there is a cornucopia of outlets for creative expression available to children of all ages. Watch your children and discover where their natural artistic interests lie. Then present them with opportunities to develop their natural talents. Nurture the abilities that come naturally—there is nothing more frustrating for both parent and child than forcing an activity when even a basic level of interest doesn’t exist.

The next time budget cuts are directed to your local school district’s art and music programs, get involved and speak out to keep programs in place. A permanent place in our schools for art and music programs is a winning situation for all involved.

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