The Benefits of Theater for School-Age Children

Every school has its different activities and clubs. For example, one school might have a Drama Club and another school might have an Exploring the Arts Club. Yet most schools don’t have a performance art club! That’s why every school needs to take advantage of every opportunity they get to bring students together as well as expose them to new things. The benefits of introducing theater into your child’s school are endless. There are so many reasons why you should start including theater in your child’s daily life from an early age. Here are just some of the many benefits that come with introducing Theater into your child’s daily routine.

Improves Self-Confidence

When you first start practicing theater, it is incredibly difficult. You might be embarrassed or nervous when performing in front of people, but the more you participate in theater, the better you will get! Children who participate in theater are more likely to feel more confident and calm. This leads to having a better day-to-day life. Children who have a lot of confidence feel that they can do anything and are more likely to succeed academically and socially. Additionally, there is evidence that shows students perform better when they have found an interest outside of school. The same study also showed that these students were less likely to drop out of school as well as have higher grades than other students. Not only does theater make your child feel so much better about themselves, but it also helps them grow their self-confidence and improves their social skills as well as academic performance.

Develops Social Skills

One of the best benefits that come with introducing theater into your child’s daily routine is how it develops social skills. Not only is theater a great way to develop social skills, but it also teaches your child how to be responsible. In addition to being able to develop social skills, theater also helps create empathy and other valuable life lessons.

Creates Teamwork and Collaboration

One of the many benefits that theater provides is the ability to find new and creative ways to collaborate with other individuals. For example, your child may be struggling to come up with a song for a play they are performing in but they will ask their friend who is an amazing singer. Or maybe your child has been stuck on a certain scene and not sure how to get it finished. Your child can bring their friend into their drama class and work together on figuring out what will happen next in their play. This kind of collaboration and teamwork is vital for developing your child’s skills and abilities. It helps them develop important social skills such as time management and cooperation which are necessary for success in adulthood.

Encourages An Understanding of History, Culture and Diversity

Theater gives students the chance to explore different cultures and learn about the history of people from around the world. Theater also helps students learn about diverse people, their culture, and their living environment by encouraging them to participate in plays that feature these themes. Students not only learn about different cultures, but they also have the opportunity to understand how other cultures have shaped themselves as well as their surrounding environment.

Enhances Academics – Reading, Writing and More!

One of the main benefits of theater for school-age children is that it enhances academics. Students can read, write and perform their own original pieces. It also helps them develop critical thinking skills and learn how to communicate with others in different ways. Students who participate in theater as a part of their curriculum report an increase in their knowledge of reading and writing while they also improve their critical thinking skills and communication skills. In addition, these students also gain an understanding of how to work as a team and develop confidence in themselves.

Conclusion

The benefits of theater for school-age children are numerous. Not only does it help foster an understanding of history, culture, and diversity, but it also develops social skills, teamwork and collaboration, self-confidence, and more!