One way and another much of the revised curriculum is already happening in a number of schools around the State - thanks largely to dedicated and innovative teachers and principals.
It is this work on the ground that has largely informed the revised curriculum.
Take music, for example. The three music strands in the revised curriculum include listening and responding, performing and composing.
"The revised music curriculum follows a lot of the trends in music education that have developed over the years," comments Regina Murphy , principal of St Columba's National School in Glasnevin, Dublin.
At St Columba's, every child has the opportunity to learn a musical instrument - and most do. Children are given both formal and informal opportunities to make music by singing, playing musical instruments and dancing.
"We place a strong emphasis on listening to music and having active responses through dance, movement, talk, discussion, writing and illustrating," Murphy notes.
Pupils at the school receive an hour's music every week. "We find it better to split up the time over the week. We do singing and recorder playing, for example, at different times. It's better than having music in a single block.
"It's a relief for the children to have music throughout the week - it's a better use of time. They love it and find it relaxing," the principal explains.
"Most children play the recorder - it's very accessible, portable and a good doorway into music, though we also use some of the percussion instruments.
"We encourage all types of music - Irish, contemporary, classical, pop - and have a strong tradition of taking the children to musicals and concerts. It's important that they're introduced to a wide range of genres, and don't confine themselves to what they hear on the radio."
You have to insist that music remains a regular part of the curriculum, otherwise it can be overlooked, Murphy confirms. "You have to really timetable it and draw a lot of attention to it and insist that it happens. It's up to the teachers, the principal and the parent body."
This year, the school is gearing up to involve the youngsters in composition. "We organised in-service for teachers during the summer, based on the "Write an Opera" model, in conjunction with the Royal Opera House in London.
"We plan to get the children writing music and creating an opera during the coming year. It's the most challenging area, because it's new for everybody."
Playing a musical instrument gives children self-confidence, increases their self-esteem and gives them a sense of achievement, she says. "The listening skills become most developed in music and this helps them in the rest of their learning. Research shows that when they're listening to music their whole brain is activated."
