For over 2 decades, MindChamps has always sought to refine the skills and strategies of learning. Alongside equipping children to be resilient in the face of adversity and adaptable to an ever-changing world, our focus has been aimed at helping children retain their sense of wonder, while fostering their ability to recall, store and synthesise information and concepts.
Since 1998, MindChamps has always sought to refine the skills and strategies of learning. Alongside equipping children to be resilient in the face of adversity and adaptable to an ever-changing world, our focus has been aimed at helping children retain their sense of wonder, while fostering their ability to recall, store and synthesise information and concepts.
Theatre education emerges as a transformative tool in this regard, one we’ve harnessed through our Creativity and Theatrical Strategies™ enrichment modules and our Performing Arts PreSchool to boost learning outcomes and personal growth in our young Champs.
In this article, we shed light on some of the multifaceted benefits of theatre studies in kindergarten, exploring the role they play in preparing children for the future.
Boosts School Performance
Children participating in theatre classes often experience significant academic improvements. A fascinating study by the American Alliance of Theatre & Education (AATE) found that students engaged in theatre scored an average of 65 points higher on the verbal component and 34 points higher on the maths section of their SATs compared to peers not involved in theatre.
This is further corroborated by the International Literacy Association, which notes that theatre-educated students tend to have better attendance records, enhanced focus, and a stronger eagerness to learn.
Further studies indicate that these children also display considerable advancement in reading comprehension. They show improved reading skills and a more enthusiastic approach to reading, which aids in their overall academic comprehension and studies.
At MindChamps Performing Arts PreSchool, we’ve woven together three performing arts disciplines (drama, dance, music and singing) to develop students holistically, fostering literacy skills, numeracy, as well as gross motor skills.
Builds Self-Esteem
Theatre education is a powerful medium for nurturing self-esteem in children. It offers them opportunities to confront and overcome anxieties, while also allowing them to explore and express new emotions.
MindChamps’ Voice & Drama enrichment module, meticulously developed with insights from Dean Carey, our Dean of Theatre, rests on three pillars: Confidence, Creativity, and Collaboration. Basic actor training under this module enhances a child’s imagination, communication skills, and self-confidence, emphasising the influence of the spoken word.
Boosts Creativity
Theatre naturally stretches the muscles of imagination. Engaging with drama has been shown to foster creative thinking and originality. And that’s not all, drama classes also encourage divergent thinking – a crucial skill in the modern world. This involves generating creative ideas by considering multiple solutions, thereby enhancing creative thinking and problem-solving capabilities in children.
MindChamps’ theatre modules, for example, cultivate this ingenuity by introducing children to foundational acting, storytelling and improvisation techniques, together which teach children to express themselves creatively.
Promotes Empathy
Empathy, a cornerstone of emotional intelligence and leadership, can be challenging to teach. Theatre education addresses this; as children assume various roles, much like what is done in our Voice and Drama enrichment modules, they begin to understand and empathise with different perspectives. This is particularly impactful when plays explore complex themes, allowing children to experience and understand emotions that may be new to them.
Access to a Wider Range of Career Options
Moving away from the stereotype of the struggling artist, the creative industry today offers a myriad of rewarding career opportunities. There are a plethora of jobs within the creative field that are not exclusive to acting.
To better prepare children for what the future holds, MindChamps takes a unique approach to theatre studies. Our Movement & Dance specialist enrichment modules, for example, not only provide physical training that enhances stamina, flexibility, and strength but also reinforces basic numeracy concepts like patterning, sequencing, and counting, all performed to 8-beat music. This holistic method is reflective of our S.M.I.L.E.S methodology (Sensory, Motor, Intellectual, Linguistic, Emotional and Social skill development,) ensuring that students are well-rounded and adaptable to various situations.
Final Thoughts
Incorporating theatre studies in your child’s education can have profound, far-reaching effects. As with all our programs at MindChamps, whether it’s Gourmet Moments™ or MindChamps Music™,we’ve designed our performing arts curriculum to ensure that your child acquires transferable skills that prepare them to thrive throughout their academic journey and beyond. . Learn more about our curriculum or book a centre visit today, and witness the transformative power of theatre.