Performing Arts for Children: Their multiple benefits for life-long learners

Performing Arts consist of a broad range of activities that include any form of artistic expressions that is performed in front of an audience. This field includes the presentation of original works of Music, Dance, and Theatre. Performing Arts take many forms; they can be found in theatres, concert halls, all social media such as television and radio stations and increasingly in education now.

Although there are common elements in all Performance Art, such as acting or singing, each form has its own unique characteristics. The three basic types of Performing Arts are:

1.  Drama – The art of acting out a story, usually through speech and movement. Drama is designed to tell a story and is most often performed on stage. It has been around for centuries and is one of the oldest forms of performing arts.

2. Dance – This art form is characterised by movements rather than images or words. Dancers use their bodies, costumes and props to express ideas about themselves and the world around them through movement alone.

3. Music – The art of creating and performing music is one of the oldest forms of performing arts. Music is usually performed live in front of an audience by a single artist or group of performers.

All three forms can be found in combination with other performing art forms, including dance, drama and music.

Are performing arts beneficial for children?

As a parent, you may be wondering how Performing Arts can benefit your child and the multitude experiential learning each child can achieve.

Performing Arts offer an opportunity for children to self-express creatively while developing important skills such as Self-Confidence, Teamwork and Discipline. Below are some benefits from participating in Performing Arts.

Enhanced Creativity and Self-expression

Performing Arts allow children to express themselves creatively and develop good imagination skills. Through acting, dancing, singing, and other forms of Performing Arts, children can explore different forms of emotions and types of characters.

Building Confidence and Self-esteem

Performing in front of an audience is not an easy task for everyone, but it can also be a great confidence booster over time. Children who participate in Performing Arts gain self-confidence and self-esteem by developing their skills and receiving feedback from their mentors and peers.

Encouraging Teamwork and Collaboration

Performing Arts also help children develop important social skills such as communication and collaboration by working together on projects and learning how to give each other constructive feedbacks in order to improve their performances.

Discipline and Focus

Learning a dance routine, memorising choral lines, or practising any type of sporting or musical instrument requires discipline and intense focus. By participating in Performing Arts, children develop the important skills that can help them in many other areas of their lives, such as schoolwork and sports.

An outlet for emotion

With EQ stationed in place, children are able to use their bodies and voices to translate and express their feelings through dance or drama classes. They are then able to work through those emotions more effectively. These also provide another opportunity for teacher to do student counselling when needed.

Cultural Understanding

Through Performing Arts, children can learn about different cultures and traditions. This can help them develop a greater appreciation for diversity and a broader understanding of the world around them.

Performing Arts Programme at Kingsley

The Performing Arts Programme at Maple Leaf Kingsley International School encourages children to participate in dance, drama and music clubs as a part of STEAM education.

From boosting their creativity and confidence to developing imagination and empathy, the skills students learnt in our Performing arts programme prepares them for the different stages of life. These set the tone for life-long learning.

ML Kingsley integrates speech and drama into almost every English lessons for our primary school students. Students learn about body language, facial expressions, acting and intonation, enabling them to sit for Trinity College London examinations in drama.

Every year, ML Kingsley opens its doors to families and extended families of our students for events and special functions. Click here to learn more about the extracurricular activities at Kingsley or ask us more about our events!