Benefits of the Performing Arts on Children’s Mental Health

The performing arts have loads of benefits for our children and young people. From helping them gain teamwork and leadership skills to making friends and finding a fun way to exercise, the benefits seem almost endless. However, a positive that can never be overstated is the impact that performing arts classes and activities have on children’s mental health. When one in five children will have experienced mental health problems at least once in their lives by the time they leave primary school (1), it’s more important than ever to be finding outlets for children to build skills and find hobbies that make them feel happy and allow them to express themselves.

At Stagecoach Performing Arts, we always aim to build our students’ Creative Courage For Life through our fun and engaging classes. Our 90-minute Early Stages classes are aimed at children aged four-six with a focus on helping our students build their confidence and find their voice. Our Main Stages classes for children and young people aged six-18 promote good mental health through giving our students the opportunity to express themselves and explore friendships outside of their regular school and home circles. Attending a performing arts group provides students with space for a social connection, creating a sense of belonging.

A Place to Be Yourself

Even further than this, taking part in performing arts activities can help with major life challenges that children commonly experience as they grow up such as exam stress or bereavement. In addition, they can also have a positive effect in reducing anxiety, stress and combatting low mood and depression. They can help to boost confidence and make them feel more engaged and resilient.

As children grow and develop new interests, doing extracurricular activities allow them to explore their new hobbies and interests with like-minded peers that make them feel seen, heard and understood. This is the bedrock of many long-lasting friendships. Over our 35 years at Stagecoach, we’ve heard countless stories of our students forming meaningful friendships with their classmates. These key friendships can help promote good mental health in children as they build a strong group of friends to face the challenges of growing up through their formative years with.

In each of the three disciplines of singing, dancing and acting taught at Stagecoach Performing Arts, students are exposed to techniques and a social environment which can have a positive impact on their mental health and well-being.

Singing – Benefits of the Performing Arts on Children’s Mental Health

When learning to sing, students are taught breathing techniques, such as how to use their diaphragm and increase your oxygen intake and lung capacity. Having a good understanding of breath technique and how to get your breathing back to normal level when you find yourself breathing very fast is key knowledge for those who experience panic attacks. Whether a symptom of anxiety or an infrequent occurrence, anyone can experience a panic attack so learning how to control your breathing is a great tool to support children and young people throughout their lives.

Additionally, studies have shown that singing releases endorphins which also reduce stress and anxiety levels. Allowing students to switch off from the outside world and just enjoy the activity. (2)

Dancing – Benefits of the Performing Arts on Children’s Mental Health

Being physically active releases positive endorphins which make students feel more relaxed and overall happier. Dance classes are a great way to get students moving, burning calories, developing muscle control, balance and coordination.

Exercise is often cited as a mood booster and for good reason. Stress can keep us up at night but when you regularly exercise, you tire your body and sleep better at the end of the day. You also reduce your levels of cortisol, often thought of as the body’s stress hormone. Studies have shown that regular physical activity reduces the risk of experiencing a period of depression (3).

Despite the benefits, it’s not always easy to encourage children and young people to engage in physical activities. Finding a fun exercise that suits their interests and can be adapted to any skillset such as dance is a powerful way to improve their mental health.

Acting – Benefits of the Performing Arts on Children’s Mental Health

Acting and drama classes offer students a safe place to explore issues relevant to their lives. This raises awareness of the issues young people are facing and also provides an opportunity for adults to understand what they are going through without having to talk about hard to discuss issues. Ultimately, this provides a space that encourages conversation and healing through creative expression.

Acting also enables us to explore another individual’s life, actions and motives, whether fictional or otherwise, which helps to build empathy in children and young people. Playing characters who are standing up for themselves show students they can do this in their own life.

Performance – Benefits of the Performing Arts on Children’s Mental Health

Performing as a group provides young people with a shared positive experience. Something they are able to bond over, creating friends and a support network. For many, having a group outside of school or family is vital.

The experience of performing in front of an audience can also help children and young people reduce their anxiety around others through the process of graded exposure. If they perform to gradually bigger audiences over time so their anxiety levels over doing so (and, ultimately, other related activities such as public speaking) should reduce over time as well.

At Stagecoach, our students have regular performance opportunities which builds their resilience and courage.

Encore

Research by the Scottish Government has shown that those who participated in a creative or cultural activity were 38% more likely to report good health compared to those who did not. For participants in dance, the figure reporting good health leapt to 62% (4).

Getting children and young people involved in the performing arts is a great way to support their mental health. We’d love to welcome your child to one of our weekly Stagecoach classes to play a part in their journey. To find out where your local Stagecoach Performing Arts Classes are, visit stagecoach.co.uk.

(1) Source: Centre for Mental Health (2015).

Children of the New Century: Mental health findings from the Millennium Cohort Study centreformentalhealth.org.uk

(2) Source: www.singupfoundation.org

(3) Source: https://www.mind.org.uk/

(4) Source: Leadbetter & O’Connor, 2013