The benefits of performing arts don’t stop at the edge of the stage. Your child’s future is sculpted by their experiences, social groups, sense of belonging, and ways they discover to express themselves.
These are the more apparent reasons that young people choose to take part in the performing arts, but did you know there are some hidden benefits too?
Children and young people develop highly transferable skills along their journey with the arts. These skills will follow them into adulthood and shape their experience and behaviour in other aspects of life.
Teamwork
Taking part in performing arts training requires a student to learn how to work within a group. Students discover how to get their voice heard while also making space for others to speak. It’s not always plain sailing, but every interaction sows the seeds for personal growth.
Singing, dancing or acting as a collective creates strong bonds and an understanding that everyone must work together effectively and with mutual respect to reach a shared goal.
Laughing, growing and overcoming problems as a group is a vital experience, giving young people the building blocks for easy and efficient teamwork at school or later in their careers.
Managing Mental & Physical Health
Dancing, in particular, has a wealth of health benefits. These include a better base level of fitness, balance and flexibility.
Children who take part in regular dance and acting activities have more opportunities to move their bodies from a young age, developing a healthy relationship with movement and their own physical abilities.
Acting, singing and dancing release endorphins as students work together, having fun and thriving in an activity they love. And deep breathing techniques and other taught methods for performing are beneficial for more than just hitting the right note or staying calm on stage.
With a happy body, a satisfied mind and growing confidence, young people have a healthy baseline to take with them through life.
Presentation Skills
Some kids are natural presenters, while others feel shy in a more formal situation where they need to present something in front of an audience.
Children and young people who receive performing arts training in addition to academic learning are more likely to carry their new-found self-confidence into other subjects. Once you’ve performed in front of an audience, singing your heart out, a 5-minute presentation won’t feel so daunting.
Performing arts build your child’s verbal and non-verbal communication skills alike, so whatever challenge they face, they have the learned skills to manage their anxiety, express themselves clearly and get their point across with more than just words.
Resilience When Facing Issues
Sometimes the best way to gain resilience against tough situations is to work through some in a safe space first. Roleplay in drama, the meaning behind a piece of music and the emotion within dance can be a safe and judgement-free place for young people to work through challenging issues.
Even at times when a child feels awkward or challenged, persisting through rehearsals to a performance teaches them about resilience in a practical and personal way.
They can find their way through both their own obstacles, and the pretend ones of their characters and shows.
By getting an insight into different cultures, types of people and situations, students are shown how to empathise with each individual and setting. This supports their emotional intelligence, leading to more prepared and resilient people.
Ability To Focus
We all know what it’s like trying to focus on one task at a time, especially when that task is difficult or not as fun as we’d like.
In performing arts sessions, students learn through repetition, be it dance routines, lyrics or character lines. You have to perform with the same energy and enjoyment on the 99th time of doing it as you did on the first – and that takes focus.
You might be surprised by how much concentration it takes to perform, even in a training environment. Every movement, word and expression is controlled and purposeful, making for excellent concentration practice.
This is especially true in rehearsals, as Theatretrain sees focusing within a group as an essential skill to learn. When everyone around you is dialled in on their next step, it’s hard not to join them in that place of focus.
Children will discover their favourite ways of learning. Parents often notice that their child has their own particular methods for focusing, such as frequent repetition, taking breaks or working in a group. Performing arts training presents the opportunity to put this focus to the test.
Solving Problems Independently
Being able to figure things out when something doesn’t go to plan is absolutely essential for a well-rounded individual. Without strong, self-sufficient problem-solving skills, a child may be overwhelmed easily and unable to tackle even more minor problems independently.
In performing arts training, improvisation and given tasks allow students to overcome various scenarios in an environment they feel comfortable making mistakes in.
The arts will give your child many challenges to face in every class. Presenting these challenges in a creative and supportive space lets students explore their own ideas and solutions. They may need to portray an emotion or story through song lyrics, and they will be given the time and encouragement to fulfil the objective independently with a sense of confidence.
Even if a student fails, this is an important learning moment. There is no failure in the performing arts, so much as there are other options, some of which may be better. We encourage students no to be intimidated by the thought of failure, but instead embrace it as part of the work.
More Than A Performer
By participating in the performing arts, students get the chance to experience a whole spectrum of emotions, dilemmas, backgrounds and coping methods. Whether or not your child wants to pursue the arts further than classes, it offers a safe environment to make mistakes and learn how to solve problems and work collectively.
If you want your child or teen to have the opportunity to develop valuable, transferable skills in a welcoming space full of like-minded peers and tutors, then performing arts may be the right choice for them. Find a Theatretrain company near you to get detailed session times.
