6 Reasons Why Introducing Your Kids to Theatre is Important
Theatre is a great opportunity for kids to express themselves and explore their love of acting, singing, dancing and other performing arts. But introducing your kids to theatre can be an important step in the child’s overall development, as well as an enriching way for kids to be part of an amazing community.
Of course, theatre is simply fun for many kids. Others may see themselves pursuing a career in theatre, whether in the performing arts of acting, singing and dancing, or the behind-the-scenes, aspects of theatre, such as directing, set design, costuming, or technical elements, like lighting and sound.
Participating in theatre can be its own reward, of course, but here are 6 other reasons why introducing your kids to theatre at a young age is important.
How Participating in Theatre Can Contribute to Your Child’s Development
Socialization. Kids who don’t participate in sports may find it difficult to associate with other children, without structured opportunities for social interaction and peer development. Like sports, participating in theatre demonstrates the value of teamwork, as every part in a play — from the lead actor to the smallest ensemble role — contributes to a performance’s success or failure. And even those working backstage and behind the curtain play vital roles in the success of a theatre performance. By participating in theatre, your child will learn to appreciate the value of teamwork and shared success and responsibility.
Growth in Creativity. The process of performing live theatre encourages what's known as divergent thinking, or thinking in multiple directions, which is critical to expanding a child’s creativity. Creating theatre is often a process of discovery-making, as the child in the performance needs to figure out where the story goes (in improv, for example) or learning how a story is told and what it means (scripted plays). The open-ended and uncertain nature of theatre exposes kids to ambiguity and sparks curiosity, making them active participants in a process that requires experimentation and risk taking.
Acceptance and Community. A common expression of gratitude for children discovering the joy of theatre is that, “I’ve found my people!” A child’s development is, in many ways, dependent on their feeling of acceptance within a broader community — a skill they will need to master throughout their lives, as they transition from school to school, job to job, or life stage to life stage.
Better Educational Outcomes. It has been shown that participation in theatre improves a child’s academic performance, as well. According to the American Alliance for Theatre Education, numerous studies show that, “Students involved in drama performance scored an average of 65.5 points higher on the verbal component and 35.5 points higher in the math component of the SAT.”
Organization and Time Management Skills. Children in theater learn to budget time toward a long-term goal, a skill that needs to be learned and that does not come naturally to many children. Each rehearsal is cumulative. First you learn lines and songs. Then you memorize them. Then you learn blocking (movement in scenes) and choreography (movement and dance in song). The crew eventually adds costumes and sets, and the technical team adds lights and microphones. All of this must be managed and built upon gradually to meet one final deadline. Participation in theatre is like taking a master class in planning, scheduling, deadlines and collaboration.
Theatre Brings Joy. Especially since the pandemic, but true of any time and place, kids crave activities that bring them joy and personal fulfillment. For kids interested in the performing arts, acting, singing, dancing, and producing a program for final performance is an exhilarating experience that a child never forgets and will forever cherish. Just ask your child after his or her next final performance what joy theatre offers in their life. The response you receive will reassure you that your kid has just experienced one of life’s most important moments in a child’s development.
Introduce Your Kids to Theater Today!
The Performing Arts Academy at the Forestburgh Playhouse provides an enriching experience for all young lovers of the performing arts. Students receive the opportunity to learn acting skills, vocal techniques, and professional dance choreography, as well as set design and construction, costume design and wardrobing, and the technical aspects of theatre production, such as sound lighting, and even special effects .
Located in Forestburgh, New York in the Catskill Mountains, the playhouse is one of many tourist attractions in the area. If you are planning a visit to the area, be sure to bring the whole family and spend some time taking in the scenic views of the mountains and river while the kids enjoy theater camp or one of our many frequent performances for kids of all ages.