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How School Cheats Us Out of Our Most Fascinating And Imaginative Art Form

Ethan Mitchell

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Published in A Mathematician S Lament: How School Cheats Us Out Of Our Most Fascinating And Imaginative Art Form

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The Stifling Nature of School Art Education

Art, in its purest form, is an expression of the human soul. It is a way for us to communicate our emotions, ideas, and experiences with the world around us. But what happens when the very institution that is supposed to nurture our creativity stifles it instead? This is the unfortunate reality for many students in our current education system.

A Mathematician's Lament: How School Cheats Us Out of Our Most Fascinating and Imaginative Art Form

by Paul Lockhart

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1689 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	144 pages

School art classes often focus on technical skills and memorization of art history, rather than on fostering creativity and self-expression. Students are taught to follow rigid rules and expectations, which can kill their enthusiasm for art and make them feel like they are not good enough.

The Importance of Art in Our Lives

Art is not just a hobby or a luxury. It is an essential part of human development. Art can help us to:

Express ourselves and communicate our emotions
Develop our creativity and imagination
Learn about different cultures and perspectives
Connect with others and build community
Reduce stress and improve our mental health

When we stifle creativity in schools, we are depriving our children of these essential benefits.

A Call for Change

It is time for a change in the way we teach art in schools. We need to move away from the current focus on technical skills and memorization and towards an approach that fosters creativity and self-expression.

Here are a few ways that we can do this:

Give students more opportunities to create their own art
Encourage students to experiment with different materials and techniques
Provide students with feedback that is focused on helping them to grow and develop their artistic skills
Create a supportive and inclusive environment where students feel safe to take risks and express themselves
Hire art teachers who are passionate about teaching and who are committed to helping students to develop their creativity

By making these changes, we can help to create a more empowering and inclusive approach to art education. We can help to unleash the creativity and imagination of our children and give them the tools they need to express themselves and to make a positive contribution to the world.

Art is a gift. It is a gift that we should cherish and nurture in our children. Let us work together to create a more empowering and inclusive approach to art education so that all of our children can reach their full artistic potential.

If you are interested in learning more about how to support creativity in your child, I encourage you to check out the following resources: