The Importance of a Well-Rounded Education

Photo by: Perla via Flickr

Across the nation, millions of children headed out for their first day of school this morning and many others began their school year last month. Budget cuts and sluggish local economies mean that many of these schools are starting their day without the right supplies and equipment to properly educate their students. An even greater number of schools, especially in elementary levels, have eliminated the arts, music, and even physical education from their curriculum.

The right to education, more importantly a quality education, is essential for a successful future – for both individuals and society as a whole. While math, science, and reading are vital for everyday living, a healthy body and creative mind are just as crucial.

• Research suggests that nearly 15% of US children are obese – a statistic that has been growing at a rapid rate over the past 3 decades.
• Children who are overweight increase their risks of diabetes, heart disease, bone complications, and much more.
• While PE class alone will not eliminate childhood obesity, this additional hour of exercise is still beneficial.
• Creating music or art aids in problem solving, improves self-esteem, and helps children learn a number of other valuable life skills.

Without a well-rounded education, are our school systems truly benefiting the students within them? In some cases, teachers are not just lacking the resources to share art and music with their class – they may not have the books and reading materials they need to teach the basics.

What Can You Do?

If the schools in your community have eliminated ‘extra’ classes like art, music, and PE, start by contacting your local school district to request a more well-rounded education for our children. If the school’s budget will simply not allow these programs, discuss the possibilities of in-class music and art lessons, as well as exercise programs, and consider volunteering your own time and talents.

You can also contact your local and state representatives to express your concern over the lack of a well-rounded curriculum and to urge for larger education budgets. State education lotteries can provide much-needed funding for schools, supplies, and additional classes as well.

There are many other needs in today’s classroom – even in a school with these programs already in place, a teacher may not have access to the books, videos, or other supplies they need to provide a quality education. At the same time, there are students without pencils, paper, and other essential supplies they need to succeed in school. Take the time to donate your time, your money, or new school items to a worthy organization, either in your local area or from the list below:

• Donor’s Choose - Choose an educational project to fund or help to fund from a list of classrooms throughout the US. Narrow down your choices by location, grade level, subject, or the type of resource to be funded. This is a great organization with projects posted directly from the teacher.
• Adopt a Classroom - This organization pairs donors with teachers to provide additional funding for supplies throughout the school year.
• BooksFirst! – A volunteer-operated organization, BooksFirst! helps under-served classrooms and school libraries expand their literacy areas. You can make a donation or organize a community book drive to make a big difference.

While art, music, and physical education are a vital part of healthy development, lacking basic supplies like books and paper are even more essential. Take action in your own community to ensure a well-rounded, quality education for all children.

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