The Fine Art of Whole Child Education

"The arts stimulate the very qualities that make us human," says Plácido Domingo, a legendary tenor, conductor, and general director of various opera companies. "[They] are an essential component in a whole child approach to education."

In this video, Domingo explains how as a child he was so inspired by the art of opera that he worked tirelessly, taking every backstage role possible to learn the ins and outs of the art form and the business.

"I love that there was a role for me in this world of the arts where my contribution was valued, even as a child," he says.

Arts education teaches children the ability to communicate, think creatively, empathize with other human beings, and work as part of a team. And when young people build their skills in these areas, their job opportunities are endless because the arts offer a wide range of exciting careers, ranging from performers to sound engineers to set designers to public relations specialists.

In what exciting ways does your school celebrate the arts as part of a rich whole child education?

Source: From the ASCD Whole Child video series, 2010. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

ASCD Express, Vol. 6, No. 11. Copyright 2011 by ASCD. All rights reserved. Visit www.ascd.org/ascdexpress.