Published on 3rd March 2025 by Tessa Robinson
Benefits of the Performing Arts on Children’s Mental Health are wide-ranging and incredibly impactful. 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
And more so, participation in performing arts is also beneficial in addressing more significant life issues children often deal with as they mature including exam pressure or loss. There is also the added benefit of them being able to help lower anxiety, stress and lower mood and depression. They can assist in increasing confidence and feeling more involved and more resilient.
Since children grow and take various new interests, extracurricular activities child-owner can explore his or her new interests and hobbies and connect with similar people in these activities so they are seen, heard and understood. It is the foundation of many lasting friendships. We have over 35 years of experience at Stagecoach and have had thousands of stories of our students making great friendships with their fellow students. Such important friendships can also encourage good mental health in children as they establish a solid group of friends to grow up with throughout their developmental years.
Students in all three areas of singing, dancing and acting taught in Stagecoach Performing Arts are introduced to techniques and a social situation that have the potential to help them in the realm of mental well-being health.
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
The positive endorphins released during the physical activity will allow students to feel more relaxed and happier in general. Dance lessons offer an excellent form of active exercise and many students will take to it quite easily.
Often-quoted exercise as a mood-booster does have substantial backing to support the statement
Although there are many positive sides to persuading kids and teenagers to take up physical activities, it may not be so easy all the time. Identifying a recreational workout that is appealing to them and can be customized according to their abilities offering example of dance is a good method of expanding their mental health.
Acting – Benefits of the Performing Arts on Children’s Mental Health
These drama lessons and drama classes give students a secure environment within which to work out problems that are of importance to them. This not only creates awareness regarding the issues the youths are going through, it also gives adults a chance to have a feel of what is happening to them without them having to speak on difficult to discuss issues. Finally, this creates an area that can foster a discussion and recovery through imaginative encounter.
This is because acting allows us to find out the life, actions and motives of another person be it fictional or otherwise and this builds empathy in children and youngsters.
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