Go to the theater or do performances at home has many benefits for our children. We explain why we say this, what use is it to children to represent situations, and how they can manage their emotions.
Doing theater does not imply going on stage. There are very shy children, or introverts, with whom we can begin to play at home to interpret, to do theater, and when they have gained confidence, ask them if they want to participate in plays with their friends.
When can we start with the theater
The experts, and experts say that between 18 months and two years, the symbolic game appears. This is the type of game where symbols predominate. That is, where objects have an added meaning and are transformed to symbolize others that are not there. The same goes for the theater.
When a child represents something that he is not, represents something other than his reality and acquires added value. It is the moment in which they begin to represent that they are moms and dads taking care of the dolls as if they were babies. They are unintentionally performing a play. The child represents real or fictional situations and helps them understand the environment in which they live. As language develops, the child goes on to a more complex game.
About the 4 years the little ones already understand that one person can play multiple roles and that each requires a different attitude. And later, over 7 years, children assume the rules of the game, which will be a preliminary step towards respecting the norms of society.
Benefits of theater in the education of children
There are many nursery and primary schools that have among their subjects, the theater. Through play, naturally, the child is rehearsing different roles, creates characters, imitates others, represents everyday situations, expresses himself, imagines ... these and more benefits we will tell you below.
- The theater encourages the development of verbal expression In the kids. The little ones tend to improve in vocabulary, fluency, clarity, etc.
- It favors the socialization, because it is practiced in a group. Children relate to each other, also having a common goal. But like any game you must let your child get close to it, do not impose it on him.
- The smallest develop and improve their body expression. Become aware of your body and how to express the sensations and feelings of each character. In this sense, the little ones feel great empathy for the character they represent and come to understand different ways of seeing the world.
- The theater allows them to feel more self-confident helping them to become uninhibited and gain self-confidence.
Benefits of going to the theater as a family
So far in this and other articles We have discussed the benefits of theater for children to practice, but also, you can go to the theater as a spectator, and it also has multiple benefits.
Going to the theater is aVery fun activity that we can do as a family. There are many companies that are dedicated to making children's theater. Each work has its own age recommendation, so inform yourself well so that it is more suited to the age and taste of your child. The first time you go to the theater, we recommend that you explain how a theater works, what play they are going to see, the actors and the differences with a movie.
The theater makes the child struggle to understand the meaning of a play. In the theater they they learn values like equality, respect or tolerance. Children identify with the characters and learn from their experience. Almost all works usually have a final moral.
Even if your son is spectators you will be developing your fantasy and imagination, and the capacity of attention and memory. You will be surprised how it is able to not move from the seat. So don't think twice and raise the curtain!