Empowering Children through Performing Arts:
The Benefits for Education, Physical Health, and Mental Wellbeing
It’s show season at Hampton Court House! We are tremendously excited for our upcoming performances of Macbeth, the Lion King, and Matilda. As rehearsals are underway, Head of Performing Arts Jessica shares her passion for empowering pupils through drama.
Performing arts, including activities such as theatre, dance, music, and other forms of creative expression, have a profound impact on children’s development. Beyond the joy and self-expression that performing arts bring, they also offer numerous benefits in the short and long term for education, physical health, and mental wellbeing. From building confidence and creativity to enhancing cognitive skills and promoting emotional resilience, engaging in performing arts can positively shape a child’s life in various ways.
In terms of education, performing arts provide a unique and holistic learning experience. Children who participate in performing arts learn valuable skills such as memorisation, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. They also develop creativity, self-discipline, and self-expression, which are essential for academic success. Research has shown that students involved in performing arts tend to have higher grades, improved attendance, and better social skills. The interdisciplinary nature of performing arts encourages critical thinking, imagination, and adaptability, which can benefit children in all areas of their education.
Moreover, engaging in performing arts promotes physical health and wellbeing in children. Dance, for example, is a highly physical activity that requires strength, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. Regular participation in dance or other forms of performing arts can improve cardiovascular health, motor skills, and overall physical fitness. Performing arts also promote good posture, body awareness, and proper breathing techniques, which are beneficial for physical health in the long term. Additionally, performing arts can serve as a creative outlet for children to express and process their emotions, reducing stress, anxiety, and depression, and promoting mental wellbeing.
In the long term, the benefits of performing arts extend beyond the classroom and into various aspects of a child’s life. Confidence, self-esteem, and self-expression are crucial life skills that are nurtured through performing arts. Children who engage in performing arts learn to express themselves creatively and confidently, which can have a lasting impact on their personal and professional lives. Performing arts also foster social skills, empathy, and cultural understanding, as children collaborate, communicate, and appreciate diverse perspectives through their artistic endeavours. Additionally, the discipline, perseverance, and resilience instilled through performing arts can contribute to a child’s ability to face challenges, set and achieve goals, and thrive in their future endeavours.
In conclusion, engaging in performing arts offers a multitude of benefits for children in the short and long term. From enhancing education and physical health to promoting mental wellbeing and fostering personal development, performing arts empower children to thrive in various aspects of their lives. Parents, educators, and communities can support and encourage children’s involvement in performing arts to unlock their full potential and promote their overall wellbeing.
