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I am an artist and a mother so I am pretty passionate about this topic ~ I think the arts are an indispensable part of a child's education and should be in the schools.  My children are in public schools and I cringe every time I hear of more cuts to the arts.  I have heard the many arguments of why it needs to be done, however I believe the arts offers so much to a child that is both tangible and intangible.  Besides the proven facts that it helps math and science, I believe it helps the development of the whole child. The arts offers a place where a child can explore their imagination and find their passion, and not to be dramatic, this could save their life.  I worked with troubled teens this past summer, teens that were struggling with drugs, high suicide rates and gang violence.  I worked in a community center that involved them in creative projects ~ visual arts, poetry and dance.  Besides just witnessing the positive effects that this environment had on the kids, one of the boys emphasized it.  He explained that the ability to come and create something had replaced the desire to destroy ~ himself and his environment.  It was a striking testimony in tough circumstances but it made me see the power of the arts.  And I have observed many times how the arts has strengthened an elementary child’s sense of self. Lastly, I have been watching our school system become more and more test score focused and the children become more and more numb.   The arts offer a place where the students can come back to life and think out of the box for awhile.  peace

posted 2 years, 12 months ago
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