Why are drama classes so important for your child?

Every child benefits from the experience of going on stage and performing to an audience. Some thrive under the glare of the theatre lights, and others find it nerve-wracking. But the more practice you get, the easier it becomes to manage those nerves. Being well prepared helps you to be confident! And what parent doesn’t want a confident child?

Some schools understand the importance of the performing arts. Unfortunately, not all educational establishments view the performing arts as crucial, despite the fact that they are known to build confidence, communication skills, initiative, teamwork, compromise, perseverance and respect. Without doubt, these are all vital life skills, whatever your chosen path.

Drama also enables children and young adults to look at real life situations that they might encounter and feel troubled by, such as bullying, body image and social pressures, and helps them to see situations from many different perspectives, encouraging empathy. And of course, let’s not forget that they are also developing performance skills. They are learning how to project their voices, breathe properly, modulate their tone, speak with clear diction, explore a range of emotions, use body language to demonstrate character and give and take focus. Learning to express themselves creatively is a wonderful (and sometimes difficult) experience, and I don’t need to tell you how much your children love coming to our classes.

At The Playing Space, we are constantly challenging our students, encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones, whatever they might be. Some students have a natural preference for wild and zany characters. For these students, the challenge might be to be stiller and calmer and to hold the audience with pauses. Other students might be quiet and unassuming in the classroom, but thanks to our nurturing environment they can blossom on stage. Our teachers are always on the lookout for students who regularly make similar choices, so we can push them in a different direction, ensuring that they are constantly building skills in new areas.