Please note this is a collaborative post and I have been paid for my time.
Who doesn’t enjoy going to the theatre? Most people will have some great experiences of fun evenings out with friends or family, watching a play, musical, ballet, opera, or perhaps a lecture in the theatre. But those same people may well consider that the theatre is just for adults; although there are plays for children, and shows that are designed for them, the problems associated with taking a child to the theatre, including ensuring they can sit still and concentrate.
Yet even if you’re nervous about taking your child to the theatre, it’s worth doing. They will benefit so much from the experience, and you will be surprised how long they can sit in one place for when you pick the right show. Read on to find out more.
Concentration
When you realise that there are school trips and even student trips abroad that offer children the chance to go to the theatre, you’ll have a better understanding of just how much they can gain from them; education and entertainment.
One of the things that children can certainly gain from the theatre is the ability to concentrate more. You might want to start with a short show made especially for your child’s age group, and you can then build up to something longer. By the time they have seen a few different shows, their concentration levels will be up. This will, of course, benefit them at school, and it’s never too early to start preparing them for their education.
Manners
There are certainly elements of etiquette that go along with visiting a theatre. For example, people shouldn’t talk through the show, they shouldn’t use their mobile phones, they should sit still and not block anyone’s way, and they should be mindful of other people around them.
Teaching children good manners is something every parent must do, and a trip to the theatre is the ideal way to put these manners to good use. The child will see everyone else behaving themselves and enjoying the show, and they will be able to do the same thing, learning better manners each time they go.
Imagination
Watching a show in the theatre will allow the child’s imagination to run wild no matter what it is. They might be interested in learning how to play the songs they heard in a musical on the piano, for example, or they might want to design costumes for their favourite character. Perhaps they will want to write their own play or learn about how the lighting works or they might be interested in acting.
Whatever comes of taking your child to the theatre when you can and allowing them to experience the benefits will be positive, and it might even change their lives for the better.
Bonding
Life is busy, and work is important, and sometimes that means we don’t get to spend quite as much time with our children as we might like. A trip to the theatre is the ideal bonding experience. Not only can you enjoy the show together, but you can make a whole day out of it, planning a meal out, getting ice cream, and more.
As well as this, you can spend time discussing the show, the characters, the costumes, and anything else that comes to mind. You might not often get to have these conversations with your children, and anything that sparks one is wonderful.
