Enhancing Comprehensive Literacy through Extracurricular Arts Education: Strategies for Primary and Secondary School Implementation in China

Abstract

Arts education in primary and secondary schools plays a critical role in fostering students’ comprehensive literacy, including creativity, aesthetic appreciation, and humanistic values. In China, however, arts education often receives less emphasis compared to core subjects such as mathematics and science. This study investigates strategies to enhance arts education in the Chinese context by focusing on the integration of extracurricular activities, aiming to supplement the limitations of traditional classroom instruction in terms of time, content, and resources. Through a systematic literature review and analysis of relevant domestic and international practices, the research highlights the effectiveness of extracurricular activities in boosting students’ artistic interest, creativity, collaborative abilities, and interdisciplinary thinking. The study also underscores the importance of teacher professional development, and the implementation of personalized teaching approaches tailored to diverse student needs. Findings reveal that extracurricular arts activities significantly contribute to students’ emotional well-being and non-verbal abstract reasoning. This research provides practical recommendations for educators and policymakers in China to strengthen support for extracurricular programming through improved resource allocation and targeted teacher training. Future research should incorporate empirical data and technological innovations to further optimize extracurricular activity design and advance the sustainable development of arts education in China.