The performing arts in the wider education of the individual

Abstract

This study seeks to emphasize the importance of the performing arts (music, drama, dance) in the development of the individual's cognitive and emotive skills, in a number of primary schools (government, private, church) and also in a selected sample of schools specifically devoted to the teaching of music, drama and dance. A general overview of the individual natural disposition towards any or all of the performing arts will be given. This will lead into a more detailed exposition of how a natural aptitude can be fostered and further developed by the acquisition of technical skill. Research methods, other than bibliographic, will be used at this point, namely, interviews, questionnaires and where and if applicable, case studies. It will focus mainly, but not exclusively, on children aged between 4 and 10 years. Conclusions will be drawn from the data gathered which will prove or disprove the thesis that the performing arts are indeed instrumental in the wider education of the individual.