CHILDREN'S INVOLVEMENT IN CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
Many children take part in cultural activities during school hours often as part of compulsory lessons. Some children also choose to undertake cultural activities in their own time. The ABS Survey of Children's Participation in Cultural and Leisure Activities showed that approximately one-third (33%) of children aged 5-14 years were involved in at least one of four selected organised cultural activities (playing a musical instrument, singing, dancing or drama) outside of school hours in the 12 months to April 2006. Twice as many girls as boys (44% compared with 22%) participated in at least one of these activities.
Playing a musical instrument was the most popular of the selected cultural activities (520,500 children), followed by dancing (332,600), singing (147,000) and drama (119,100).
1.9 Children's participation in organised cultural activities(a) - 2006