As parents, we tend to monitor our child’s performance in the “core” subjects as an indicator for their overall success. Subjects like music, art, and drama typically take a back seat when it comes to education, which is a shame because they are actually very beneficial for a child’s overall development. I have teamed up with a junior school in Kent to explore the advantages of drama below. 

Firstly, drama lessons give children the chance to take a break from sitting at a desk in a traditional classroom environment. It’s important that they move around and stretch their bodies at certain intervals throughout the day. In lessons like Maths or Science, students are often told they are either right or wrong, but as a creative subject, drama provides more flexibility for children to express themselves as they please (within reason, of course). This is great for their confidence. They receive applause and encouragement from the audience and are given feedback in a constructive and supportive way, rather than being told what they have said or done is incorrect. 

Reading from a script and speaking clearly and coherently in front of an audience is also great for a child’s communication skills. It’s an opportunity for them to expand their vocabulary and work on their pronunciation. What’s more, drama encourages teamwork; students must put their differences aside and collaborate with one another to ensure a performance is successful. So, drama lessons help children become more comfortable with social interactions, both in and outside of school.

The theatre is not just for actors. A performance also requires directors, scriptwriters, lighting, costume design, stage design, choreography, and music, so there’s arguably something for everyone. So, while you may not see much value in your child learning to act, drama lessons may help them find something else that they’re passionate about, both as a hobby and potentially even a future career. 

The skills and traits developed through drama classes can be transferred to other areas of a child’s education. For instance, as they become more confident in their abilities and also with communicating their ideas, they might start to feel more comfortable raising their hand in lessons to answer their teacher’s questions and engage discussions.