Why Should My Child Participate in the Arts?

"Tell me and I will forget.

Show me and I will remember.

Involve me and I will understand."

Chinese Proverb

Your child needs to focus on academics, right? They need to keep up with (or do better than) their peers. Even children starting kindergarten have strict guidelines as to what they need to know BEFORE they get to school! Who has time for the arts? You do!

Theater and the arts benefit students in many ways, helping them to develop motor, intellectual, social and emotional skills, and become better problem solvers. In addition, studies by both UCLA (Dr. James Catterall, UCLA, 1997) and The College Board (Profile of College-Bound Seniors National Report for 2000, 2001, and 2002) show that students who are involved in the arts typically score nearly 100 points higher on the SAT and demonstrate better academic performance and more school engagement.

Involvement in theater allows students to explore, experience, and express emotions, thoughts, and feelings in a safe environment. They can examine the choices made by a character, experiencing and discussing the outcomes, dangers, and alternate options, without the long-term effect these choices would have if experienced in the ‘real’ world.

To portray a character fully an actor needs to really understand how the world appears through the eyes of another. This can go a long way to helping develop empathy and tolerance. In today’s world, having the ability to understand the motives and choices of others, even when one doesn’t agree with them, is essential to developing a culture of responsible global citizenship.

Theater and the arts tend to be one of the places school districts cut funding despite being part of the core curriculum with national standards and assessments. While school may be the natural place for your child to experience the personal and academic benefits of the arts, there are many other options. Check out local community theaters, summer camps, and youth programs. It is never too early to start. Your child will benefit in so many ways, and as you see them grow and blossom so will you. Every child is a star; some just don’t know it yet!

Looking for a place to start? Schmata Productions is an award winning, non-profit, community youth theater in Malvern run entirely by volunteers. They offer a Summer Experience program for ages 5-16 with a Leaders in Training program for ages 14 and up, in addition to a School Year Musical Program for 5th – 12th grade students. Check them out on the web: www.SchmataProductions.org.

Gina Curry is a behavior support specialist for special needs students and has been involved in theater and the arts for over 30 years.