OPINION
By Juannie Williams
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Oct. 9, 2014
The early childhood period is crucial for the development of a child’s character. Children develop interests, habits and personality based on their own acquired knowledge, their surrounding environment and their interaction with others that contribute to how they view the world during this time. Specifically, the visual and performing arts are crucial components during a child’s early years of schooling, as it promotes self-expression through healthy mediums and individualism.This is an extremely important idea because through these experiences, a child can become more sophisticated, appreciative, empathetic and well-rounded as he or she continues to learn in the traditional classroom. I’d like to think of visual and performing arts as learning subjects in a non-traditional classroom that are equally important to an individual’s growth.Several grade schools and community recreation centers offer art programs ranging from choir, and theater, to band and orchestra. The programs help fuel children’s interests in wider subjects. Between the ages of 5 and 11, children often begin learning instruments, singing, acting, painting, drawing or sculpting, and as a result, they learn how to appropriately express themselves and understand and appreciate the artistic expressions of others.Arts have played a major role in the curriculum of elementary and secondary schools across the country for decades. All students should have the opportunity to get involved with music, painting and other art forms. Unfortunately, due to various budget cuts, fine art programs in some schools are being discontinued.It’s all too regular that fine art programs are first in line to be eliminated. Why? Why do schools see sports as more vital and important than the arts? These are important questions that we must consider. Not all children are athletes. Not all children are artists. Every individual has his or her own priorities and preferences, so why selectively limit opportunities for artists and not for athletes? Not only does the elimination of art programs affect children, but it leaves many art and music professionals without a job. It makes for an unhappy life for both the students and the teachers.Throughout my childhood, I participated in several choirs. I first joined my elementary school choir at the age of 10 and continued to participate in choirs until I graduated from high school. If it wasn’t for my fourth grade music teacher — who encouraged me to continue singing and never lose sight of what I love — I wouldn’t be as expressive as I am and I wouldn’t have as great of a connection to others as I do.I don’t believe that cutting athletic programs would yield different results. The action would be just as detrimental as the elimination of the art programs. If the school is facing budget cuts, it’s time to get the community involved to preserve the arts. It’s not only important to students but also for teachers. Juannie Williams is senior studying English and Spanish. Email her at jw206410@ohio.edu
