EDEC653_Module 7_ReadingSummaryAssignment
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Module Seven:
Reading Summary
1
Reading Summary: Integrating Art, Music, and Social Studies into a Holistic Curriculum
Assignment
Breunnica Kegler
School of Education, Liberty University
EDEC653: Current Issues in Early Childhood Education
Dr. Teri Branker
October 8, 2023
Module Seven:
Reading Summary
2
Chapter 15: Integrating Art, Music, and Social Studies into a Holistic Curriculum
Summary Content
This chapter focuses on how the three subjects of art, music, and social studies celebrate
creativity and community and drive home the point that every element of the early childhood
curriculum intersects and is interrelated. (Gonzalez-Mena & Shabazian, 2024, p. 429). Through
the integration of math, art, and social studies, children are able to explore an affluent
thoughtfully designed environment to fulfill their needs. According to Gonzalez-Mena &
Shabazian (2024), “Early childhood education programs almost exclusively focus on science” (p.
430). Throughout the day-to-day transitions in educational environments, children engage in
some form of science. When teachers give these activities, they may not be aware of the extent to
which they are exposing their students to this type of learning.
As professionals, we maintain substantial standards for our students. It's crucial that we
are able to integrate Art, Music, and Social Studies into our classroom. It's important to keep in
mind that science is essential for students to be able to understand how to explore and
experiment. Art, Math, and Science are an essential part of classroom learning and development.
According to Gonzalez-Mena & Shabazian (2024), “Art is a method of communication in which
creativity, experiences, ideas, thoughts, and feelings are conveyed” (pg. 430). When teachers
give students art activities, they are all to convey a message and express themselves. Art is a
science that activates creativity and a wide range of freedom. “Even though constructing or
organizing objects in an appealing way may be considered an aspect of art, most early childhood
educators concur that it is the process, not the final product, that matters” (Gonzalez-Mena &
Shabazian, 2024, p. 430). For children being able to create their own art is an experience of self-
expression.
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Reading Summary
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According to Gonzalez-Mena & Shabazian (2024), “The study of music uses muscle
memory, emotions, and social interactions to improve cognition by providing opportunities for
problem-solving, comprehension, and developing linguistic abilities” (p.436). Music allows
children to be able to work on gross motor skills which improves coordination. When children
participate in music and movement, their bodies become their instruments. When born children
inherit a natural rhythm, which is exposed throughout their everyday lives. “Young children find
making music to be equally as fun and fascinating as listening to it. Both procedures naturally
promote the growth of critical social and cognitive abilities” (Gonzalez-Mena & Shabazian,
2024, p.436). As Educators, we should always promote music inside of the classroom. Children
should be given the opportunity to make their own music as well as express themselves through
listening to music.
According to Gonzalez-Mena & Shabazian (2024), “Knowledge, values, attitudes, and
skills are all part of the social studies curriculum” (p. 440). Through social studies, children are
able to empathize with others. This is something that does not happen right away. Children
develop these skills through cognitive and social development. Children construct this
knowledge independently by interacting with the world. This knowledge develops as they
navigate. “Children start to broaden their understanding of others as they become more self-
aware” Gonzalez-Mena & Shabazian, 2024, p. 441). When children begin to understand who
they are their knowledge, values, attitudes, and skills begin to improve through experiences.
Gonzalez-Mena & Shabazian (2024), describes the Holistic Approach, as an integrated
strategy or curriculum that prioritizes the development of the whole child rather than treating the
mind, body, and emotions separately. (p. 444). As Early Childhood Professionals, our duty
entails collaborating with others to promote a holistic curriculum. By using this approach as
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Module Seven:
Reading Summary
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educators, we are able to prove children are learning intellectually. According to Gonzalez-Mena
& Shabazian (2024), " This approach is a developmentally appropriate strategy that assists
children in building the groundwork for their sense of place, self-assurance to take on new tasks,
and self-regulation abilities needed to persevere in the face of hardship” (p. 444). Using this
approach can help parents understand the extent to which their children are learning.
Discussion of NAEYC Standards Connection
This chapter focuses on Teaching as one of the NAEYC Standards. Integrating a holistic
curriculum can be a positive learning experience for children. The fundamental goal while
teaching a child to play is to get them to play with other children so they may acquire the skills
necessary to continue playing. The standards embedded in this chapter focus on Standard 2:
Curriculum and Standard 3: Teaching. According to the NAEYC, “A comprehensive written
curriculum serves as a guide for educators. It enables them to collaborate and integrate diverse
activities and techniques in order to enhance children's growth and development” (NAEYC,
2011). The third standard emphasizes the significance of education. According to the NAEYC,
“In the framework of the curricular goals, effective teaching practices improve each child's
learning and growth” (NAEYC, 2011). Teaching would be ineffective if a curriculum was not
implemented to integrate art, music, and social studies into a holistic curriculum. Both standards
are equally effective in integrating art, music, and social studies in a holistic curriculum. When
using these standards children will be able to develop new skills and integrate old skills into their
developmental process.
Discussion on Viewpoints
I believe that creative expression is important to implement in all programs.
“Professionals must occasionally use significant creative thinking while making decisions in
Module Seven:
Reading Summary
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order to see things from different perspectives” (Gonzalez-Mena & Shabazian, 2024, p. 12).
Children are able to engage with what they perceive and get more experience when they are
allowed to enhance and develop their own skills through knowledge learned.
“The objective is
to teach children how to find solutions for their own challenges, which necessitates thinking and,
at times, creativity” (Gonzalez-Mena, 2024, p. 161). When teaching children, it is important that
the lesson stimulates learning in all students. The younger children are the more eager they are to
learn and explore their creative thinking. Children can experience art, music, and social studies
through different experiences in the classroom. For example, in my classroom, we have a table
with crayons and construction paper readily available for our students to be able to draw at any
moment, we also have a music room where our students are able to go at different times
throughout the day, and we implement all about me activities for us to be able to learn more
about our students.
Biblical Perspective
“May my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew, like gentle rain upon the
tender grass, and like showers upon the herb” (English Standard Version, 2001, Deuteronomy
32:2). Children should be directly affected by their learning experiences. When children are able
to learn through experiences it is harder for them to forget the knowledge they have learned.
Through active learning, children retain more information because they learn through hands-on
experiences. According to Gozalez-Mena & Shabazian (2024), “Introducing, engaging, and
creating instruments, in addition to singing, is a comprehensive kind of play that stimulates
learning via art and social interactions” (p. 439). Children have difficulties when learning on
their own. Children benefit from challenges while learning valuable lessons. Knowledge and
social contact are closely related, and this is especially clear throughout the exploration phase.
Module Seven:
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References
English Standard Version Bible. (2001). ESV Online.
https://esv.literalworld.com/Links to an
external site.
Mena, G. J., Shabazian, A. (2024). Fundamentals of early childhood education (8th ed.). Pearson.
National Association for the Education of Young Children. (2011).
https://www.naeyc.org/our-
work/families/10-naeyc-program-standards#3
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