Benefits of Childhood Involvement in Performing Arts

Children have an almost non- stop desire to be creative. They live in a mental space that is constantly curious, expressive, physical, at play, and engaged. The importance of nurturing this creativity is well documented and has amazing benefits. A child who is exposed to and involved in the performing arts often develops a greater capacity for learning. Through the arts, children are encouraged to depend on themselves creatively, so they learn how to solve problems better, while developing the ability to rely on themselves to bring new ideas into the world. They learn to listen to their own compass; speak from their souls.

This is not to say that all children should become professional performers. That would be a whole other conversation. It simply means when they participate in the performing arts they become better equipped to look at the world from many different vantage points. The arts also innately provide a spiritual component. When a child engages in arts activities they are stripped of pretenses. They speak from their heart, their soul. They bring into existence their authentic self.

Then, there are the academic benefits. The following is from Americans for the Arts

Young people who participate in the arts for at least three hours on three days each week through at least one full year are:

• 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement
• 3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools
• 4 times more likely to participate in a math and science fair
• 3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance
• 4 times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem

Add to these the benefits to brain development and you have a recipe for children who grow up to give the world amazing gifts.