For students and young children, the curriculum, creativity, and activities involved in performing arts education and through participating in musical theater have been shown anecdotally and in research to promote kindness, empathy, and teamwork. Read on to learn about why!
The following list is an overview of the major skills that young students pick up through continued performing arts education.
1. Empathy
One of the key skills that kids can develop through musical theater is empathy – the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. By performing in a musical, kids have the opportunity to take on different roles and put themselves in the shoes of other characters. This can help them develop the ability to see things from someone else's perspective, which is an essential component of kindness.
2. Collaboration
Musical theater requires kids to work closely with a team of actors, musicians, and stage crew in order to put on a successful show. This requires kids to learn how to communicate effectively, share ideas, and support one another. By working together in this way, kids can learn the value of collaboration and how to be kind and compassionate towards others.
3. Gratitude
Participating in musical theater can also help kids develop a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the work of others. By seeing firsthand the efforts that go into putting on a show, kids can learn to appreciate the contributions of their teammates and be grateful for their support.
4. Inclusivity
Musical theater can also promote kindness by promoting inclusivity and acceptance. By working with a diverse group of people and celebrating differences, kids can learn to be more open-minded and accepting of others.
5. Leadership
Kids who participate in musical theater may also have the opportunity to take on leadership roles, such as directing, stage managing, or choreographing. These roles can help kids develop leadership skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, and delegation, as well as the ability to be kind and compassionate towards their teammates.
