Understanding the Importance of Performing Arts in Education

Posted by Mainstage Center for the Arts on August 29th, 2019

It is commonly observed that if a child has a busy and demanding academic schedule, performing arts  may not rise to the top of priorities. While academics is important, there are also many reasons why performing arts should play a crucial role in your child’s education. Even researchers have linked performing arts to enhanced child development and better academic achievement. So, if you are on the fence about sending your child to a dance class or children’s theater in Delaware valley, here are some reasons why you should reconsider:

1.   Collaboration
Taking part in performing arts encourages the children to work together. It promotes teamwork. Everyone is afforded the opportunity to engage in collaborative exercises such as reading, writing and performing. There is limited scope outside of this discipline for children to develop this life skill.

2.   Creativity
One of the biggest achievements of children enrolled in performing arts is creativity. They are able to tap into their artistic abilities. Through the study of music, theater and dance, they are able to go beyond what traditional education offers them. Creative thinking also empowers them to understand the world in a different way.

3.   Self-confidence
Through the medium of performing arts, children are able to express themselves without any inhibitions. This builds confidence. They are able to cultivate crucial skills such as focus, and overcoming timidity and anxiety, which further helps them to develop communicative and leadership abilities.

4.   Self-expression
Performing acts as an effective medium of self-expression. They encourage children to explore their feelings and emotions and communicate them without any hesitation. This plays an important role in them finding their own, individual voice. Through each discipline, whether dance, music or theater, they learn the joys of self-expression.

5.   Cultural awareness and appreciation
Your child can develop as a truly global citizen only when they are aware and appreciative of other communities, traditions and cultures. Performing arts can play an intrinsic role in that. Generally, in performing arts classes, the scope is not limited to a particular region or culture. Students are exposed to diversity, which helps them develop a positive attitude towards differences.

Performing arts is closely linked to almost everything we want for our children from their education, including enhanced social and emotional development and higher academic performance. They connect them more closely to the rest of the world and opens up new and unique ways of seeing things.

Author’s bio: The author is a blogger. This article is about the importance of performing arts in education.