Integrating Arts with Education: Guiding Principles of Curriculum Development

‘Art,’ a subject which was, for quite some time considered irrelevant due to its area of creativity which made it stand out from other standardized subjects. However, in this new era of education, ‘art’ found its foundation and has stemmed out to be equally important in all aspects, its integration with education has numerous benefits. Art has become a method of teaching and learning used to help students understand concepts in different subjects included in the curriculum.

Art Integrated Learning (AIL) has become a noticeable aspect which delves into offering students the creativity to connect various concepts through art forms, learning a creative approach to understanding concepts and discussions. The different art experiences including visual and performing arts are prime examples in which students learn how to better understand topics. The experiential approach of learning which emphasizes ‘learn by doing’ is greatly emphasized.

Now, let us have a look at how integral Art Integrated learning is to education and how it is one of the most significant guiding principles of curriculum development.

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Why is Art Integrated Learning (AIL) important?

Incorporating art in education has many advantages, this method of education is important in early childhood education due to a number of reasons. Some of them include, it helps children find expression, indulge in creativity and develop their fine motor skills. AIL helps create an environment where the children develop a sense of love for learning and in every bit of activity, they complete, a sense of accomplishment is also achieved. 

Art integration in education can also help children develop critical thinking skills; this is a crucial aspect as it is extremely important in today’s world. Therefore, helping children endure these skills to think critically can prepare them for any problems that they might face later in life. When children are also exposed to a variety of art forms, they are most likely to develop a new sense of perspective of the world; thereby their minds are broadened and open to possibilities and choices. Building social skills with peers is also a benefit which comes from art integration, whereby children learn to work in groups during their activities, cooperating with one another and developing a sense of trust and also responsibility. 

An interactive learning method is also part and parcel of AIL; it is essential for showcasing understanding as it develops language skills in children. Art Integration also offers challenges to the students at multiple levels; it opens up the learner’s minds and helps them understand different perspectives. 

How does Art Integrated Learning (AIL) work?

Art is used as a device or strategy to support other curriculum areas; this inevitably makes art an approach to understanding concepts, making it a medium through which a topic is taught or conceptualised. Such an approach is termed an “arts-enhanced curriculum,” which engages students in learning content.  

Arts-Integration with education offers a creative process to explore connections to gain greater understanding in any subject area. And for teachers to learn the fundamentals of art integration with education so that they can blend art with other concepts of the curriculum. It is always advisable that children are able to express their creativity in a unique way, which is why to ensure a fruitful outcome, the correct implementation of this methodology has to be thought carefully.

Curriculum Development of Arts Integrated Learning 

The educational performance of a student is noticed to be improved and better through Arts Integrated Learning. Arts integration has proven to be efficient as students learn to understand complex concepts and topics with their usage. With teachers being able to fundamentally make good use of this creative approach, students can find various ways to cope with significantly different and unique challenges and concepts with no problems. 

Arts Integrated Learning has brought many changes in the curriculum with its emphasis, schools have discovered that students tend to focus and remember more on topics which were taught through the medium of arts integration. The benefits that come from this methodology are vast and its efficiency in building up the connection between curriculum and arts is uniquely appreciated.  

Benefits of Art Integrated Learning 

• Meaningful Learning: Through art integration methodology, students are seen to learn and retain knowledge with a creative approach. They learn concepts and understand discussions from their curriculum and conceptualise necessary skills for their own development and growth. In a sense, this makes their learning meaningful and unique. 
• Promoting Collaboration: Integrated Learning allows students to work in groups to complete assignments and projects together, this way it creates team-building exercises allowing them to share ideas and learn new ideas from one another. This leads to cooperation among them and teaches the students essential critical life skills.
• Recognising the Student’s Potential:  With art integrated with education, students are more motivated and focused to learn, they find means through which they can use their creativity, engaging with the right concepts more quickly and efficiently, this way they are able to bring out their best work. Art-integrated learning helps in revealing a student’s true potential.

Now, we are going to be talking about a school which lays huge emphasis on an inspired curriculum which is essential in bringing about the best in a child through art, i.e., The Earth School, situated in Koregaon Park, Pune.

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Board: IEYC
Co-ed Status: Co-ed
Established in: 2021
School Medium: English

“Teaching the way a child learns” is the best way to nurture and offer happy children. The Earth school focuses on art, reading, drama, fitness and music. As we can see, it deals with art in almost all of its aspects, this way it bridges the gap between the mind and the soul, education and literacy, and humanity and logic. This indefinitely creates a notion that Arts Integration is heavily emphasized to deal with the curriculum. Blending the methodology of an ‘expressive approach’ with education creates a stable environment where the student makes efficient use of his/her creative capabilities. 

The school also lays emphasis on free play and helps children understand and challenge their physical, creative and social selves. As the students learn from an adult the basis of construct meaning, explorations and guidance is assured and meted out efficiently towards the students. 

Arts Integrated Learning is a practical approach in the educational field, its efficiency and benefits are vast and have served their true purpose in refining an educational methodology whereby a child’s creative expression and potentiality are revealed so that they can find more ways to grasp a concept efficiently and clearly. 

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