Arts with the Brain in Mind

1. Arts are a Major Discipline with Brain-Based Benefits

The central theme of this book is that the arts promote the development of valuable human neurobiological systems.

Arts as a Core Discipline. The arts should be considered a major discipline on par with science, math, and language, not merely a cultural add-on. They develop crucial neural systems that enhance learning across the board. This perspective challenges the traditional view of arts as a "right-brained frill," emphasizing their fundamental role in human development.

Brain-Based Evidence. Brain research supports the inclusion of arts in education, demonstrating that visual, musical, and kinesthetic arts engage multiple areas of the brain. These activities have far-reaching effects on learners' minds, fostering integrated sensory, attentional, cognitive, emotional, and motor capacities. This evidence underscores the biological basis for art-making.

Cultural and Societal Value. Arts promote understanding and sharing of culture, enhance social skills, and foster tolerance of differences. They serve as vehicles for cultural identity and free expression, contributing to the betterment of humanity and local culture. The arts are essential for creating ethical, fair-minded, disciplined, cooperative, thoughtful, considerate, problem-solving, and creative citizens.

2. Music Enhances Cognitive, Emotional, and Perceptual Systems

Music-making contributes to the development of essential cognitive systems, which include reasoning, creativity, thinking, decision making, and problem solving.

Cognitive Enhancement. Music activates and synchronizes neural firing patterns, enhancing brain efficiency and effectiveness. This "neural symphony" promotes spatial reasoning, creativity, and mathematical skills. Studies show that music training improves math scores and overall academic achievement.

Emotional Development. Music activates brain areas involved in mood, social skills, motivation, cultural awareness, self-discipline, and aesthetic appreciation. It improves emotional awareness, social skills, and the ability to identify and manage emotions. Music serves as a therapeutic tool, aiding in the development of social skills, especially for those with developmental delays.

Perceptual-Motor Skills. Music strengthens the ability to perceive sensory information and act on it. It enhances listening skills, reading abilities, and visual-motor coordination. Playing an instrument can physically change the brain, increasing the size of the cerebellum and corpus callosum.

3. Visual Arts Cultivate Creativity and Spatial Reasoning

Drawing is a tool for expression, complementary to thinking and writing.

Spatial Intelligence. Visual arts enhance spatial reasoning, a critical skill for fields like engineering, design, and mathematics. Engaging in visual arts activities develops the ability to create, hold, and manipulate objects in space, fostering a deeper understanding of proportional relationships. This skill is essential for higher-level thinking and problem-solving.

Creative Expression. Visual arts provide an outlet for emotional expression and communication. They allow individuals to represent their world in unique and meaningful ways, fostering creativity and self-discovery. Art-making serves as a visual sketchpad for thinking, enhancing idea manipulation and storage.

Cognitive Development. Visual arts improve reading and math scores, enhance vocabulary and writing skills, and promote critical thinking. They activate multiple brain areas, fostering a whole-brained learning experience. Visual thinking tools, such as mind mapping, enhance idea generation and cognitive processes.

4. Kinesthetic Arts Promote Physical and Mental Well-being

The kinesthetic arts play a powerful role as a universal language, with a symbolic way of representing the world.

Holistic Development. Kinesthetic arts, including dance, drama, and physical education, promote physical and mental well-being. They enhance cognition, emotional expression, perceptual-motor skills, and social skills. These activities engage multiple brain systems, fostering a holistic approach to learning.

Implicit Learning. Kinesthetic arts facilitate implicit learning, which is more robust, age-independent, and cross-cultural than explicit learning. Implicit learning involves "hands-on" approaches, trial and error, and experiential learning, leading to deeper understanding and retention. This type of learning is essential for developing practical skills and real-world competence.

Stress Reduction. Physical activity reduces stress, improves circulation, and increases cell growth and growth hormones. It helps regulate emotions, improve mood, and enhance overall well-being. Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining both physical and mental health.

5. Early Engagement in Arts Optimizes Development

To optimize skill development, it appears to be necessary to start early.

Critical Periods. The brain has sensitive periods for the development of various skills, including those related to the arts. Early exposure to music, visual arts, and kinesthetic activities can have a lasting impact on brain development and skill acquisition. Starting early optimizes the development of neural pathways and enhances overall learning.

Long-Term Benefits. Long-term engagement in arts activities yields greater benefits than short-term exposure. Consistent practice and training over months and years lead to significant improvements in cognitive, emotional, and perceptual-motor skills. Sustained involvement in the arts fosters self-discipline, motivation, and a love of learning.

Developmental Stages. Different art forms are appropriate for different developmental stages. Simple songs and lullabies are suitable for infants, while more complex musical pieces and visual arts activities are appropriate for older children and adolescents. Understanding developmental stages helps educators tailor arts instruction to meet the specific needs of learners.

6. Arts Foster Emotional Intelligence and Social Skills

At the start of this new century, for those with emotional balance and cognitive flexibility, the world will be their oyster.

Emotional Regulation. Arts provide a vehicle for emotional expression and regulation. They allow individuals to explore and manage their emotions in a safe and creative environment. Engaging in arts activities fosters emotional balance, self-awareness, and empathy.

Social Interaction. Arts promote social interaction and collaboration. They provide opportunities for individuals to work together, share ideas, and build relationships. Group activities, such as theater productions and musical ensembles, foster teamwork, communication, and social skills.

Cultural Awareness. Arts enhance cultural awareness and appreciation. They expose individuals to diverse perspectives and traditions, fostering tolerance and understanding. Studying art from different cultures promotes empathy and respect for others.

7. Integrated Arts Education Yields Holistic Growth

By making arts a core part of the basic curriculum and thoughtfully integrating the arts into every subject, you might not get the high test scores you want immediately.

Cross-Curricular Connections. Integrating arts into other subjects enhances learning and retention. Using visual aids, music, and movement can make abstract concepts more concrete and engaging. Arts integration fosters creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills across the curriculum.

Engaging All Learners. Arts reach students not ordinarily reached, in ways not normally used. This keeps tardies and truancies and, eventually, dropouts down. Arts provide challenges for students at all levels, from delayed to gifted. It’s a class where all students can find their own level, automatically.

Real-World Relevance. Arts connect learners to the world of real work where theater, music, and products have to appeal to a growing consumer public. Students learn to become sustained, self-directed learners, not a repository of facts from direct instruction for the next high-stakes test.

8. Assessment of Arts Should Focus on Long-Term Development

Testing the processes instead of results can narrow the development of the very neurobiological systems they depend on.

Process Over Product. Assessment in the arts should focus on the process of learning and creating, rather than solely on the final product. Evaluating the development of skills, creativity, and critical thinking is more important than assigning grades based on artistic merit. This approach encourages experimentation and risk-taking.

Authentic Assessment. Authentic assessment methods, such as portfolios, performances, and exhibitions, provide a more comprehensive view of student learning in the arts. These methods allow students to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in real-world contexts. Feedback should be continuous and focused on growth and improvement.

Intrinsic Motivation. The goal of assessment should be to foster intrinsic motivation and a love of learning in the arts. Emphasizing grades and external rewards can undermine creativity and self-expression. Creating a supportive and encouraging learning environment is essential for fostering a lifelong appreciation of the arts.

9. Movement is Essential for Learning and Well-being

The human body, for the last thousand generations, has primarily been walking, sleeping, leaning, running, doing, or squatting.

Active Learning. Incorporating movement into the classroom enhances learning and retention. Active learning strategies, such as role-playing, games, and hands-on activities, engage students physically and mentally. Movement breaks can improve focus, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being.

Ergonomics and Posture. Traditional classroom seating can negatively impact posture and physical health. Providing opportunities for students to stand, stretch, and move throughout the day can improve comfort and focus. Creating a more flexible and dynamic learning environment is essential for promoting physical and mental well-being.

Vestibular Activation. Activities that stimulate the vestibular system, such as spinning, leaping, and rolling, can improve balance, coordination, and reading skills. These activities are particularly beneficial for younger children and those with learning disabilities. Incorporating movement into the curriculum can enhance overall cognitive development.

10. Arts as a Vehicle for Inclusion and Cultural Understanding

The arts reach students not ordinarily reached, in ways not normally used.

Reaching Underserved Populations. Arts provide opportunities for students of lower socioeconomic status to gain as much or more from arts instruction than those of higher socioeconomic status. This suggests the gifted programs need to expand their target audiences.

Cross-Cultural Understanding. The arts promote the understanding and sharing of culture. The arts promote social skills that enhance awareness of others and tolerance of differences. The arts promote unity and harmony. They enhance cognitive and perceptual skills. They serve as vehicles for cultural identity and free expression.

Inclusivity and Accessibility. A major discipline cannot be elitist. Research and our own experience show that all levels of society can and do participate in the arts. Race, religion, culture, geography, and socioeconomic levels do not constitute barriers. In fact, underserved populations receive more benefit from exposure to the arts than other children.

Last updated: February 21, 2025