The benefits of the performing arts in education

Using the performing arts in education has many benefits, including the development of motor, language, and social skills; decision-making; risk-taking, and inventiveness.

Incorporating role play, singing, stories, movement, puppetry, props and play into everyday learning also helps children grasp difficult concepts more easily as they learn to make sense of the world around them.

For example, researchers in the US found that that pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students demonstrated a better grasp of maths concepts when taught by teacher artists.

The effect was comparable to other early-childhood interventions, and we also have testimonials from teachers who have used our DramEd programmes and workshops that support this theory.

EXPLORE NURSERY & PRESCHOOL CLASSES
EXPLORE SCHOOL WORKSHOPS& CLUBS

Develops a range of skills

Incorporating the performing arts into the way you teach develops a range of skills in young children, including extending their vocabularies, broadening their horizons, and increasing their ability to learn.

  • Encourages their development of creative problem-solving skills
  • Improves their motor, language, and social skills
  • Fosters their decision-making, risk-taking, and inventiveness skills
  • Engages those children who might not otherwise be interested in a subject
  • Boosts their critical thinking skills – children learn the importance of being more thorough in their observations
  • Provides challenges for all learners, regardless of their ability
  • Helps children gain a deeper understanding of their own culture, as well as an appreciation of others

Furthermore, research* shows a correlation between education in the arts and the increased achievement and social development of students, with young children and economically disadvantaged students among those benefiting most.

* 2020 Seneca Academy