Performing arts like drama, dance, and music provide a wealth of benefits for children that go far beyond just entertainment. Participating in the performing arts can support kids’ development, education, and mental health in important ways. Here are some of the key benefits of exposing children to the performing arts.

Develops Creativity and Imagination

One of the most obvious benefits is that performing arts stimulate children’s creativity and imagination. Whether it’s coming up with imaginative stories in a drama class, choreographing an original dance routine, or composing a new piece of music, the performing arts allow kids to exercise their creative muscles. Using their imagination helps develop flexible thinking and problem-solving skills that are applicable across many areas of life.

Builds Confidence and Self-Esteem

Performing in front of an audience requires confidence. With practice and positive encouragement, performing can help shy or insecure kids find their voice and become more self-assured. Learning to project themselves expressively builds self-esteem. Performing arts provide a safe space for kids to take risks, make mistakes, and try again without fear of judgement. Overcoming nerves to deliver a successful performance gives a huge boost of confidence.

Teaches Teamwork and Collaboration

Most performing arts pursuits, especially theatre and dance, involve collaboration with others. Working together toward a common goal teaches invaluable teamwork skills. Kids learn to take turns, listen respectfully, communicate ideas, and compromise. Performing arts nurture collaboration, cooperation, and relationship skills that benefit kids in school and beyond.

Improves Communication Abilities

Mastering the ability to express themselves clearly is an important skill for kids to learn. Performing arts like drama and public speaking teach projection, enunciation, and emphasis to convey ideas effectively. Dance and music teach nonverbal communication and storytelling through movement and sound. This develops verbal and nonverbal communication skills that help kids get their point across.

Provides Educational Benefits

The performing arts provide learning opportunities across many academic subjects. Drama improves reading comprehension as kids analyse scripts and imagine themselves as different characters. Dance and music teach counting, patterns, and rhythms. Kids absorb historical and cultural knowledge by studying influential artists and performances. The interdisciplinary nature of performing arts deepens a child’s overall understanding.

Encourages Discipline and Dedication

Mastering a performing art requires discipline and determination. Kids must commit to attending classes and rehearsals, practicing at home, memorising lines or choreography, and delivering polished performances. The process teaches important life skills like setting goals, managing time, and seeing projects through to completion. Developing this sense of discipline at a young age will benefit kids enormously.

Improves Mental Health

For many kids, performing provides a positive emotional outlet. The arts allow children to safely express themselves, work through anxieties, gain a sense of achievement, and find joy through creativity. Shared experiences with others in a performance community can help kids feel accepted and valued. All of these benefits support good mental health and wellbeing.

Consider encouraging your children and foster children to go along to a performing arts workshop. If you are long or short term fostering, it’s a great way to help your foster children learn build their self-confidence and learn new skills.

Whether they pursue it professionally or just gain a healthy hobby, the performing arts offer benefits that will stay with children their whole lives.


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