The expressive arts area of learning and experience is a very broad category and this is a good thing. There are many elements of the arts that can be explored such as art itself, drama, music, dance just to name a few. The question is how are all of these elements of art valuable to children in primary school? Many would argue that children should focus more on the core subjects as they are the most beneficial for life and employability skills but we often forget about the creative element which is a skill that is valued in many areas of society and the arts can help extend personal development.
Throughout my childhood, the arts have played a significant role in shaping who I am today. I believe they have made me a more confident and open minded individual. My interest in the arts emerged when I was eight as I wanted to start playing the piano. I was inspired to play because my nan could play the piano and wanted to follow in her footsteps. I was fascinated with learning how to read music, it was almost like learning another language. I also joined an Amateur Dramatics group in my local area. This boosted my confidence significantly as I made a lot of new friends of all ages. This also improved my social skills.
In the Successful Futures curriculum, it is clear that Donaldson wants to promote more creativity in the curriculum by implementing the expressive arts area of learning and experience. It is clear that we as a country have neglected the arts in the curriculum. It is important for children to experience the expressive arts as this has many cognitive benefits. In a study by Mannathoko and Mamvuto (2018) they state that in Australia and the United States, art and design has been embraced as a compulsory subject because of its integrative nature and its role in society. This is supported by Smith (2013) who says that ‘It is clear… that countries across the world recognise the significance and potential of the arts and enabling improved educational, social and economic outcomes’ (Donaldson, 2015).
Donaldson (2015) also says that the expressive arts promote exploration of issues of personal and cultural identity. This is supported by a study conducted by Gruska (2009, cited in Mannathoko & Mamvuto, 2018) in New South Wales, Australia, who acknowledges the critical role of art in developing self-identity and understanding of one’s society and culture.
There is a video that gives insight into why we should teach the expressive arts in primary schools. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x53CcI2udcE
On placement, the children took part in a PE lesson. In the lessons, the children are learning about dance. They have watched videos in class of different styles of dance and then in groups, were asked to perform a dance of a particular style. Some of the children did street dancing, some did ballet, some did expressive dance. There were obvious key characteristics for each style of dance and the children were able to differentiate between these styles.
Whilst researching this topic, I struggled to find any negative points about teaching the expressive arts. We could argue that there are some disadvantages to teaching the arts in primary school. One of the disadvantages could be the teacher. Primary school teachers teach every subject in the curriculum, therefore if the teacher does not appreciate the arts, their negative view could be portrayed onto the children and this could make them un-interested in the subject. We could also argue that if the teacher has no experience in any area of the arts, how are they able to teach it effectively? Every teacher has to be able to spell, read, write, count but this is because they have been taught how to do it in school. If a teacher has never played an instrument, never painted, never performed in drama, how are they meant to teach these elements of the curriculum effectively and with excitement?
Another disadvantage could be the curriculum. Due to the cross curricular element of the curriculum which includes literacy, numeracy and digital competency, we could argue that these elements take away from the raw experience of the arts. In my personal opinion, I believe that the arts should be free and children should be able to explore the arts without being confined to these cross curricular elements. All of the cross curricular elements apply in the arts, but should not be the main focus for doing a particular task.
What is your opinion on the expressive arts? Do you believe they hold value in the curriculum or should the sole purpose of the curriculum be to teach children the more mainstream subjects?
References
Donaldson, G. (2015) Successful Futures: Independent Review of Curriculum and Assessment Arrangements in Wales, Welsh Government: OGL
Gruska, K. (2009). Meaning and identities: A visual performative pedagogy for socio-cultural learning. The Curriculum Journal, 20(3) 237-251. Mannathoko, M. & Mamvuto, A. (2018) Teaching the Arts in the Primary School Curriculum: What Strategies Imbue the Integrative Arts Subjects?, Studies in Art Education, 59:2, 145-158, DOI: 10.1080/00393541.2018.1440149
Mannathoko, M. & Mamvuto, A. (2018) Teaching the Arts in the Primary School Curriculum: What Strategies Imbue the Integrative Arts Subjects?, Studies in Art Education, 59:2, 145-158, DOI: 10.1080/00393541.2018.1440149
Smith, D (2013) An independent report for the Welsh Government into Arts in Education in the Schools of Wales Arts Council of Wales cited in Donaldson, G. (2015) Successful Futures: Independent Review of Curriculum and Assessment Arrangements in Wales, Welsh Government: OGL
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