“The Role of Performing Arts in Enhancing a Child’s Personal Growth”

I truly believe that Performing Arts can bring tremendous change in the life of everyone, especially the students. As per my experience as an Activity coordinator, I have seen a lot of case studies and real-life situations where children started to perform better holistically, after expressing themselves via performing arts.

Performing Arts are all about self-expression, exploring alternative options, and embracing individuality. It has amazingly positive effects on a child’s academic performance as well. Performing Arts teaches children perseverance, creative problem-solving, and the ability to focus—all great skills that will lead to classroom success. While Performing Arts allow children to develop creative passions, they simultaneously teach children language and communication skills, helping them to communicate effectively with others with confidence.

Learning music, dance and drama have wide-reaching benefits for children, providing them with the tools to think creatively, innovate and appreciate diverse cultures and backgrounds. The performing arts encourage children to explore their emotions, expand their imagination, and help them develop their own, unique voice. Each discipline of music, dance, and drama engages a child’s brain, body, and emotions in different ways to encourage their confidence and find joy in self-expression.

Drama can help students develop great public Communications Skills, become more comfortable with their bodies, and learn to read other people’s body language. Music often requires good Non-Verbal Communication, especially during group performances. Learning to communicate without the use of words encourages young children to listen closely and read non-verbal cues. Being a good listener is a skill many great leaders have. The ability to improvise – something students learn in drama games, creates youth who is open-minded and adaptable to evolving situations. In an ever-changing modern world, this is key to your child’s future success.

We cannot underestimate the importance of emotional intelligence, developing a creative mind, and fostering personalities and imaginations as our students make their journey through school, to become happy and well-rounded individuals.

Many studies have also concluded that children who participate in performing arts enjoy improved performance in their academic subjects and because of the confidence gained and enhanced communication skills, they become empowered in whatever career path they decide to take up as young adults.

Our collaboration with Juilliard provides the opportunity for students to experience an enhanced curriculum using a repertoire of core music, dance, and drama works encompassing a wide range of genres, styles, and cultures designed and selected by Juilliard. This is certainly not designed to replace, but to supplement our inquiry-led school curriculum in IGCSE and IB study programs. We are fortunate that despite the lack of face-to-face teaching for the majority of the academic year, our students have still had the opportunity to engage in class, with the wider school community and enhance their learning through our collaboration with The Juilliard School.

Let us remember that the Performing Arts are for all and it is by no coincidence that during the past two years, throughout numerous lockdowns, many of us have turned to Performing Arts for solace, inspiration, reflection, relaxation but most important of all joyfulness!

Mansi Chaudhary

Activity Coordinator

Oakridge International School, Mohali