*** This is a collaborative post ***
It is a well-known fact that children who are brought up to have interests in the arts find that they have a broader knowledge of pop culture, a good handle on history and an enjoyment of the entertainment that is put in front of them. The arts include dancing, theatre shows, artwork and music of many kinds. Personal taste and choices are exactly that, and there is no right or wrong way to share the arts with your children. The only thing that is guaranteed is that they will form an opinion on the type of art you put in front of them to experience. Cece and Rory both love music and dancing. Obviously, these are the easiest ways into the arts but you’ve got to start somewhere, right?
Here are some ways to encourage your children to experience the arts, and hopefully, it will help shape them and build an appreciation of this industry.
School
Many schools take great enjoyment in sharing the arts with their students. And school trips to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre are very popular to help share information and entertainment surrounding Shakespeare and mixing in a good dose of history at the same time. It is a wonderful thing to share this knowledge and passion with children from all backgrounds and can help broaden their imaginations and their horizons at the same time. Many teachers specialise in this and are more than happy to help all children with this. Children aren’t always as enthusiastic in school about the subject matter in front of them, but you can guarantee that a fair few children will take something from these trips and education, that may even spark an interest within.
I’ve never actually been to Shakespeare’s Globe and it’s definitely something I’d like to do.
Theatre
Theatre is one of the most entertaining ways to experience the arts, singing and dancing, with intelligent and funny dialogue, can really capture and imagination. Emotions can be portrayed and stories told through theatre that help children to understand many things from social interactions to how the world worked in the past and can bring a sense of belonging when everybody is watching and enjoying the same share with you. This is, of course, a luxury for most, but even the smaller theatres help parents introduce younger children to the arts and theatre, by holding smaller, and shorter shows, specifically designed to entertain younger audiences. Taking the opportunity to encourage your child to become enthusiastic about theatre will bring them opportunities and a great hobby and interest.
We actually took Cece to the theatre for the first time last Christmas. She saw her first panto and was so enthralled by it all I can’t wait to take her back for more.
Holidays
Taking your children on holiday to cities and countries around the world that are well known for being heavily involved in the arts, such as Paris or Rome, will not only bring you closer together as a family, to enjoy the wonderful sites and experiences, but it also opens up opportunities to share how other countries have experienced and created wonderful art and entertainment throughout history. If you are able to take your children to these places and share with them the knowledge that you hold about the art, you may find that your children become very interested, very quickly. And this is something special for the whole family to experience.
Give It A Go
Ballet classes, musical theatre, and art classes are available in many places, and encouraging your child to give it a go could lead to lifelong ambitions and also plenty of fun. So many children benefit from a boost in confidence, a whole group of friends, and experiences they may never have imagined otherwise, which means that they have opportunities to enter into the field further down the line themselves. Just looking at old films, and learning the art forms of tap, and jazz, as well as learning how to sing or create out for themselves, is wonderful for a young mind and will ensure that they learn and grow along the way. You can’t beat the confidence standing on a stage in front of hundreds of people can bring.
Cece has been going to musical theatre classes for a while. At such a young age it’s a lot of singing along and playing pretend. She loved it. She’s now a little too old for this class now and I’ll be looking for a new one once they’re open again. Now that Roar’s is one I’m going to send her to the class Cece used to go to too.
Sharing
This can start from a very young age and doesn’t have to be too intense, but just putting on a film such as The Sound of Music, or playing some records that your parents handed down to you, can really enrich a child’s environment and experience of the arts. What better way to introduce children to theatre and out, then dancing around your living room or kitchen to some of the old classics? This can encourage them to want to know more, and if not You have at the very least given them the time sharing and enjoying some wonderful creative work.
We love having a kitchen disco and listen to music spanning plenty of decades, it’s lots of fun and we all have a great time. Also, Cece loves a musical as she gets older I’m going to start introducing her to Mary Poppins and Bedknobs and Broomsticks but at the minute we’re working through the animated classics. Although, Frozen is still her favourite.
I know that not all children will be interested in this, but if you share some of the art and music and dancing with them, I’m sure, you’ll find something will stick.
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