It can seem like there are million and one activities for your kids to get involved in. Sometimes they enjoy them for a couple of weeks and then move on to the next thing, and sometimes they find something that they fall in love with for life. There are always those few kids in your child’s class who does a different activity for every day of the week, but that’s not realistic for many. Most parents can’t afford to put so much money into extra-curricular activities or find the time to ferry their kids back and forth. But a couple of after-school or weekend clubs or lessons help to enrich your children’s lives, without overwhelming either them or you. One of the best things to get involved with is drama, which can be a fun pursuit with plenty of opportunities to socialise and become more confident.
Why Do Drama?
No one enjoys the playground drama that comes with having kids, so why would you want to teach them how to be more dramatic? There are tonnes of cool benefits to children taking part in drama workshops, which can give them skills for later in life. Firstly, drama classes can help to build your child’s confidence. They can learn to work with others and perform in front of people, building up their self-esteem. It can also improve their concentration, allowing them to focus on something and get rid of pent up energy at the same time. A range of activities can build children’s language and communication skills too, including singing songs and playing games.
Working with others is another theme that runs through drama workshops. Children learn to co-operate with each other and listen to adults, working together to get things done. It also helps them to understand the world around them, by exploring a range of themes to encourage them to be inquisitive and question their surroundings. Drama is also excellent for emotional intelligence. Many children even benefit from it in a residential treatment center where they receive therapy. As well as helping them deal with their emotions and relate to others, it also helps the to become more creative and imaginative.
How to Get Kids Involved
If your children are interested in drama classes, there are lots of ways they can join in. Firstly, check to see if their school has a drama club. Many schools offer lessons or after-school sessions. These often take place straight after school, so they’re convenient for working parents. Another place to look is to look in local directories to find out what’s on offer in your town. There’s lots of variety when it comes to drama classes, so if there are several options, consider what you’re looking for.
Some drama classes focus more on playing and having fun, allowing skills to develop organically. But some will be more structured, with a higher level of formal teaching. Remember that drama workshops will require a certain degree of commitment, which is usually a session at least once a week, plus performances.