Many American children from the past were introduced to a variety of arts as school children. It was common for students to learn about music by singing and even learning to play various band instruments in elementary school instead of having private Cincinnati music lessons. They also used to be introduced to other arts like painting, drawing, sculpture from their art teachers in the lower grades . Several of these arts classes are no longer offered in schools due to budget cuts and this is affecting not only the children but the art centered businesses from art schools all the way to Cincinnati music stores.
So many things that used to be the typical part of a school curriculum is now not taught any longer because of the rising expenses and budget cuts that school districts all over the nation are experiencing. Many of the extra special classes such as music, art, and physical education are no longer being offered at the elementary level. This is now creating a decline in the amount of older teens interested in the arts because they are not being exposed to them at a younger age. This is especially true in lower income areas where school was their only option to have access to things such as learning to play an instrument or how to use different mediums of arts.
Children that are better off financially , are not as affected by the budget cuts taking away the arts because they have the means to go and take private lessons in music or go to a studio to take an art class . However, it has been shown that an initial exposure to something like an art that they would have never imagined doing or trying is the one time that will engage that child in wishing to be involved in that art even more. So it does affect the more affluent kids too .
Children involved in the arts have been shown to do better in school academically. If they learn how to read musical notes and play an instrument, it has been proven that those students do better in mathematics than those who are not participating in music. Being involved in the arts has also assisted children to stay on track and make better decisions for themselves in socially difficult times . They tend to be more disciplined and therefore are better with their time management and more responsible in their school work in addition to their social lives.
Another positive thing that happens when kids are exposed to the arts and become involved in them besides doing better academically and socially is that they have better confidence in themselves and are good at handing pressure. After learning how to play a musical instrument and then performing in a concert successfully, that helps build confidence in a child . Also, it is quite scary to get up on a stage in front of an audience and perform in a play or a concert. The children learn how to handle this pressure by putting themselves out on that stage and working through their nervousness .