How the Performing Arts Benefits Early Childhood Education
Involving children in the performing arts can have major benefits in the classroom. Researchers have found that children who sing/dance/act/play their hearts out are four times more likely to be recognized as academically successful than their non-performing peers – and they tend to have enhanced cognitive, motor, and social capabilities as well. Nevertheless, the benefits do not end there. Being on stage can enrich your child’s life in a variety of surprising ways.
Programs in the arts build self-confidence.
Your child will gain confidence and self-assurance from participating in performing arts classes, which include improvisation and performing on stage. Students will be able to explore outside their comfort zone, appraise new situations, think outside the box, express their thoughts and ideas in a safe environment, solve problems, deal with performance and presentation fears, and build trust and independence. It is important to remember that these beneficial tools can be taken to school, social activities, and their future career, and they will remain with them throughout their lives.
Communication skills, concentration, and memory can be improved by drama and performing classes.
Participating in the performing arts is an excellent way for young individuals to improve their communication skills. Taking acting lessons, for instance, will improve their presentation skills, vocal projection, tone of voice, and articulation.
Through taking stage directions from teachers, collaborating with peers, and working together toward a common goal, students will refine their listening skills. Whether learning new lines or memorizing acting cues and timing, it’s all part of learning an actor’s craft which means your child will improve their focus, memory, concentration, and quick-learning skills.
Development of social-emotional skills.
In addition to improving their social skills, kids will also learn how to work as part of a team, listen to others and express themselves, as well as share and make new friends. By learning to minimize mistakes and bounce back, solve problems and improvise, they will gain the confidence to manage and cope in new situations that arise in everyday life. Participating in these types of programs will also improve their interpersonal skills as they will learn the different roles they play, allowing children to relate to different situations, people, feelings, and let them be in ‘someone else’s shoes’. As a whole, the performing arts teach kids empathy, compassion, and how to express and understand their feelings and those of others.
A higher level of academic achievement.
Research has shown that creative and critical thinking, problem-solving, and reasoning improve when arts education is included. According to the Arts Education Partnership Report “Arts Education Has Academic Effect,” music, drama, and dance education are associated with high academic achievement. In addition to improving mathematical achievement and proficiency, learning an instrument and reading music improves performance on tests. There are several connections between performing arts programs and reading, verbal and math skills, problem-solving, and creative thinking.
Kids have loads of fun!
Children can express themselves, and their emotions, and explore and improve their unique talents through arts programs. No matter whether kids enjoy acting, singing, dancing, or behind-the-scenes roles, they will delight in expressing and improving their talents. A performing arts class will also offer them a fun workout since many improve flexibility, balance, and coordination.