Why Are Drama Lessons So Important for Children?
At its core, all theatre is play. We literally call a theatre production a play! That’s because acting is an innate instinct for humans and it’s fun! It’s fun to watch and it’s fun to participate in. We experience life and all of its ups and downs and then we have the desire to watch stories we understand or have experienced played out as a way to help us make sense of the world and the people living in it.
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Children engage in ‘make believe’ from a very early age. They will use dolls and figures to create simple scenarios which they will then play out.
When they’re a little older, they will gather with their peers and play ‘house’ or ‘shop’ and during these games, they will make up simple scenarios and direct one another to act out the small daily dramas which they understand.
They’re using this play as a way to understand life. It’s an invaluable tool for children and as they get a little older, drama lessons are a wonderful way for them to expand on these innate skills.
Another point to remember is that, as this prep school in Lincolnshire points out, performing to an audience can be life-changing, so it’s vital that all children have the opportunity.
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Lots of skills can be developed in drama lessons. Working with groups of other children will help each child develop social skills. They will also practise reading from a script, which will help their written and verbal communication skills and contribute to improved confidence.
Many drama classes involve relaxation techniques which can be especially useful for anxious children.
Drama classes are excellent for children who already have a love of reading but can also help those who don’t, develop their skills. Studying scripts can result in a far more sophisticated understanding of story and language.
A good drama class will introduce Shakespeare for children as young as 10 years old. There are many scenes and exciting plots with plays such as Romeo and Juliet which will help them to begin to grasp the concepts of more sophisticated literature like this – and what child doesn’t love a good sword fight?
So, whether your child is outgoing or shy, academic or not, drama classes are a wonderful opportunity for them.
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.