The Benefits of Theater Education for Kids
Theater Builds Self Confidence, Public Speaking Skills, Creativity
Sep 27, 2009
Parents often hear about the wonderful benefits of organized sports, but the creative arts can be another terrific medium for keeping their children active, healthy, and engaged. Theater classes and theater productions provide benefits that cannot be found in sports programs, such as increased comfort with public speaking, greater self-confidence and trust in group process, and a positive outlet that helps children learn how to think outside of the box and solve creative problems.
Working on a Play Builds Self-confidence and a Feeling of Acceptance
Everyone needs a place where they feel they belong and can relax and be themselves. Perhaps team sports, dance, or gymnastics is not a good fit for a child. For the more introverted child who is uncertain in group activities such as organized sports programs, theater can be the perfect place to gain personal confidence in smaller steps. Acting out scenes, or just watching other kids do it at first, introduces children to new ways to relate to their peers and develop a better understanding of themselves as they begin to work in teams and rely on each other – and, more importantly, be needed by others!
The positive atmosphere of exploring their innate talents while learning to work with other children in a constructive and creative way can be a huge boost to a child’s self esteem and can fundamentally impact their success in school and family life as well. According to Anthony Hubert, founder of the Rocky Mountain Conservatory Theater, “A child who is involved in theater… is taking part in an integral development of the young mind. If you learn to be emotionally present at a young age, you will grow up to be a healthy participant in the ensemble that is the world.” [1]
Theater Experience Makes Public Speaking Fun
Standing on a stage and reciting lines offers the obvious benefit of practicing public speaking skills, but the nuance behind that is that children gain the confidence to advocate for themselves and express themselves better and with more style. The benefits of being able to speak competently to adults, in a public forum, and in front of the class at school are substantial. Children who practice the art of speaking in public in a structured format (theater) learn to do so before the debilitating fear of failure that most adults feel when speaking in front of a group has a chance to fully form.
According to Greg of the “Speaking and Speeches” blog, “Enrolling your child in a dramatic arts course or guild is a great way for them to learn simple things like voice projection, memorization, managing stage fright and using things like props and visuals to strengthen the force of their words.” [2] This practice eventually leads to greater school success and the ability to take leadership roles in other activities, including organized sports.
Theater Productions Unlock That Creative Spark
Albert Einstein once said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” Just like any other skill, creativity needs to be practiced to develop into the kind of problem-solving ability that is needed in the workplace of the 21st century. Too often, traditional school environments put children into “boxes.” Theater allows children to live outside those boxes and be praised for it, and offers a great way for children to “practice” their own creative talents and solve problems using that creativity.
Fostering creativity is important even for children who are successful in organized sports and school activities. In addition to acting and singing, the theater offers many, many avenues for children to explore their creativity, including building and painting sets, costume design, lighting and sound system design, writing plays, composing music, and more.
Cindy Verian, owner and director of We Act For You and Stars Youth Theater, shares a motto that she lives by: Every day I will do one thing that I am afraid to do. “Children must take risks to grow,” she explains. “This is what I try to foster in my classes. Children come to me before a show and say they are scared. I say, good, now take that amazing energy and do something great with it!” [3]
Theater education provides a safe place for children to practice creativity and take personal risks in a venue that celebrates success with every production or performance, and builds self-confidence by allowing children to express themselves to others – whether that is on a stage or in everyday relationships.
References
[1] Buglewicz, Suzy. "All the World's a Stage." KidsPages.org, January 2009.
[2] Greg. "Start Early: Help Children Learn Public Speaking Skills That Will Last a Lifetime." SpeakingandSpeeches.com. September 6, 2006.
[3] Verian, Cindy. Personal Interview. Holly Springs, North Carolina, August 18, 2009.
 |
