RJA #2c: Delicious Account

Okay everybody, here's the all-important link to my delicious account! I hope, for any of those interested in my topic, that my delicious page is a useful and informative page; that is once I figure out how to put the sites on it!

RJA #2b: Research Topic

I have chosen the effects of Art on child development for my research topic this semester. There are a few reasons why I chose this particular topic. First, I am an Art Education major and any extra understanding I gain on the importance of the Arts in a child's life will only help me in my future endeavors. Second, I have always been interested in the ways that the Arts impact people in general, not just children. From the interesting tie between classical music and brain development to the link between the visual arts (i.e. painting and colors) to different stimuli and development in the brain; I find it all fascinating. Last, I am getting ready to have a child of my own, and being an avid supporter of the Arts, i would love to learn additional ways to stimulate my child's ever-growing brain.
As I stated before, what I already know is the link between Classical music and brain development in the fetus and the stimulus on the brain that Classical music emits later on in life. I also know that there are ties between the visual arts in stimulating certain parts of the brain. I also know that the Arts can provide a great technique of stress release for the body, whether it's strumming out a song on your guitar or painting a mini-masterpiece while sitting at a nearby park.
What I don't know is why the above listed things happen. What is it about Classical music that promotes brain development? What part of the brain is being stimulated while listening to it? What part of the brain is being stimulated while you are painting or working on a potter's wheel? What benefit does this stimulation have in a child's (or adult's) life? How do the Arts help children with learning disabilities, like ADHD, or a more severe disability like Autism? These are all things I tend to find out in my research and gain a better understanding of exactly what it is about the Arts that so essential in a developing brain.

RJA #2a: Possible Topics

I believe I have settled on the topic of the importance of Art in child development. If I can't find enough information, I will update you on the next topic I choose. On the contrary, if I find too much information on the topic, I will post on what I have narrowed it down to. I can't wait to start researching this exciting topic!

RJA #1: Areas of Academic Interest

There are so many topics to choose from for this class. I have taken a class in Cultural Anthropology in the past and there are a variety of topics from that class that would be interesting to study further. Also, being an Art Education major, I would love to study the topic of the Arts and their effect on child development. Along with the previous topic, an interesting topic to research would be the effect of cutting these classes from schools and its impact on the students. For right now, those are my main topics, but there could be many more. There's just too much information and topics to choose from! I'm interested to see what other people in the class have listed!