There is a reason theatrical productions are referred to as “plays.” Surely, it is because, in addition to being sheer hard work, theatre can also be a great form of play for your little ones. Even one small moment on the centre stage can serve to permanently fire up imagination and the creative spirit in a child.
Although many kids prefer to spend their time playing sports, there are many who have never been able to grab onto sports as an extracurricular or pastime that they can enjoy. If your child doesn’t enjoy sports, you may want to consider introducing them to another form of play: theatre.
Here’s are a few reasons why introducing your little one to theatre is extremely beneficial-
1. Teaches Teamwork
While sports certainly teach kids the importance of teamwork, you are always competing in some sense. On the other hand, participating in a performance teaches kids how to work as a team without competing with one another. If the teammate of your child performs their lines flawlessly, the performance as a whole improves and ultimately everyone succeeds.
2. Builds Confidence
The ability to feel confident and be comfortable speaking out in a group is not easy for some children, especially those who may be extremely shy. Children learn how to be confident, assertive, and really put themselves out there when they are in a group through theatre. Children learn to be at ease in their own skin and to embrace situations that draw attention to them by learning to feel comfortable delivering lines, moving around the stage, and perhaps making a silly face in front of others. This can eventually translate to confidence in a wide range of areas of life, such as increased school participation, the capacity to speak up when a social situation makes your child feel uneasy, and even being a strong and supportive employee etc.
3. Helps us learn empathy
Children may find it challenging to fully comprehend what empathy is at a young age. Theatre participation helps children develop social skills early on and the ability to consider perspectives that are different from their own, which has a positive effect on their emotional growth. When your child takes on new roles and experiments with emotions that he may not have experienced before, he will discover a lot about himself. Additionally, it can teach your child how to name their feelings and express them in a healthy way. This can help them face new and difficult emotions.
4. Paves a Way for Higher Academic Achievements
At any age, students who take part in theatre education perform better on standardized tests, have better reading comprehension, better attendance, are more focused, and are more motivated to learn. An expanded vocabulary and language mastery are two additional benefits of theatre.
5. Enhances Collaborative Skills
Theatre is a collaborative art form by its very nature. To tell a story on stage, it takes a group of writers, an ensemble of actors, and the creativity of designers and crew. Theatrical involvement in school improves communication skills in children, which strengthens teamwork, according to scientific research. Data also demonstrates that young people who participate in drama are more cooperative than their peers who do not.
6. Improves Time Management Skills
Through theatre, kids learn to plan their time toward a long-term objective. Everyone strives for an opening night, but there is a lot of preparation required beforehand. Each practice session adds up. In order to meet a specific deadline, each of these efforts must be managed and gradually expanded upon.
7. Teaches Patience
Children who attend live theatre grow in patience and attention span. Theatre demands sustained attention, in contrast to television, which changes images every three to four seconds. Children of all ages will learn how to sit quietly and respect others for longer periods of time due to the communal nature of theatre.
8. Promotes Empathy
Empathy is one of our most valuable human qualities and one of the hardest to teach. Theatre plays a crucial role in developing empathy in children as well as emotional resilience and the capacity to control emotions. When a play or musical explores a difficult topic like bullying or family struggles, watching this allows kids to discover emotions they may not have experienced in their own lives, which develops empathy. As a result, theatre students may also be better at controlling their own emotions and expressing them, which improves interactions with their peers and fosters a more positive learning environment.
Without theatre, children not only miss out on an amazing artistic experience, but they lose the chance to experience an endless amount of learning opportunities. With exposure that not only raises school performance, but also encourages creativity, culture, communication, patience, morals, and imagination, an afternoon at the theatre is something that cannot be overlooked.