Chapter 1
The Arts, Health, and Wellness (P–5)
Course: Gace 702 Elementary Education P 5 Study Guide
Subject: Gace 702 Testlet 005 The Arts Health And Wellness P 5
Chapter: The Arts Health And Wellness P 5 5937 10885
Overview
This lesson explores the visual arts, music, dance, and theater in elementary education. The arts develop creativity, expression, cultural understanding, and many skills that transfer to academic learning. Georgia has a rich arts heritage and many resources supporting arts education throughout the state, from world-class museums to community theaters and music programs.
Why the Arts Matter in Elementary Education
- The arts are not extras or frills in elementary education — they are essential components of well-rounded learning. Research has consistently demonstrated that arts education benefits students in multiple ways that extend far beyond artistic skill development. Despite occasional pressures to reduce arts instruction in favor of more time on tested subjects, the evidence strongly supports keeping the arts as central elements of elementary education.