Up until GCSE level, most students will have at least one hour of drama lessons per week at school, and lots of kids have extra lessons outside of school time. Parents may not understand the value of drama to a child’s overall development and academic success, but it’s actually hugely beneficial.
When compared to core subjects, like English, Maths and Science, you may think drama is a waste of time. However, children learn a variety of key skills in drama class, which can then be transferred to other areas of their education. I have teamed up with an independent prep school in London to share some information about the benefits of drama lessons.
Arguably one of the most obvious and important benefits of drama lessons is that they give children a much-needed confidence boost. Children experience lots of changes as they grow up, which can sometimes affect their self-esteem, so anything that can help them overcome this should not be frowned upon.
In drama, a child will learn how to speak up in front of a crowd in a coherent and confident manner, even if it’s just their classmates as opposed to a large audience. Not only does this help with confidence, it also improves communication and language skills. These skills are developed in a safe learning environment, where children typically feel more comfortable with experimentation.
In drama lessons, pupils learn how important it is to be a team player and contribute to the success of a whole group of people. Unless performers in a drama production support the other actors, the routine will not go to plan. Teamwork and supporting your colleagues is an crucial skill, which will serve them well in other areas of their education, as well as in the future when they embark on a career.
Children are taught to listen to the thoughts and opinions of others during drama lessons and take it in turns so that their fellow classmates can have their turn in the spotlight. This is another important skill that will come in handy during other lessons.
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