The importance of the arts in children’s overall development is being forgotten

Promoting maths and science has become an issue in our schools, but where does this leave a child’s love of the arts? Marjorie Brennan reports

IN THE past few years, there has been a noticeable push to promote engagement in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) among children, with the introduction of coding lessons in primary school being mooted by Minister for Education Richard Bruton.

However, many people argue that in this rush to embrace technology, the importance of the arts in children’s overall development is being forgotten, and that art and design need to be added to the equation — to transform STEM into STEAM.