Brain gain: How drama programs benefit children
Print Edition
Confidence and presentation skills — we’ve all heard the basic benefits of a school Drama program. However, can children act, sing, and dance their way to a better brain? According to Dr Sigmund Hough, Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, they can. Hough explains, “Drama provides a disciplined, calm, and hard-working atmosphere which promotes efficient study skills, school success, and good memory. In this way, drama cultivates a healthy brain.”
In fact, school Drama programs that focus on acting, singing, and dancing are actually training students’ minds to remember things such as complex lines and positions on stage, therefore helping to increase both a child’s mental capacity and their body awareness. Furthermore, studies have shown that music training can lead to improved math performance and memory span.
One school, Yew Chung International School of Shanghai (YCIS), ensures that all Primary and Secondary students build a solid foundation of drama and performance skills, beneficial to their overall development. Students as young as 7-years-old start on stage early in their academic career by performing at assemblies, and continue with an increasing number of performance opportunities with each year level, including activities for extracurricular involvement, such as school musicals.
Danny Davis, technical coordinator at YCIS Shanghai’s Gubei campus oversees drama productions for the campus’ Secondary students. He explains, “Our program focuses on expanding core competencies needed for Drama. For instance, in Lower Secondary (Years 7-9) classes, students take three sessions of Drama weekly, and our main focus is to first build a key set of skills that are necessary for delivering a quality performance, and this benefits developing minds.”
Millie, a Year 10 student at YCIS’s Gubei campus, has participated in the school’s Drama program and several productions. She says, “At YCIS, I have learned how to act though song, I’ve improved my stage presence, and now I can easily memorize my lines. This has helped me in other school subjects, too, such as Chinese class, when I learn new characters.”
YCIS’s skill-based approach to Drama is proving to be successful. Many graduates receive acceptances to study Art and Drama at well-known universities around the world, including Berklee College of Music, Royal Academy of Arts, and Guildhall School of Music & Drama.
Participating in a Drama program serves value beyond entertainment, and the structured Drama program at YCIS is beneficial for students’ overall brain and skill development, “setting the stage” for future success.
Backstage Q&A
This month, High School students at YCIS’s Gubei campus debuted China’s premiere production of Disney’s Tarzan. Backstage, Tarzan and Jane (Antoine and Millie, Year 10) discussed their journey.
Q: How did you get involved in YCIS’s Tarzan performance?
Antoine: I hadn’t done other plays but I did work on a drama piece for a YCIS art show. I was “discovered” for the role of Tarzan after my teachers heard me sing in music class, and later they came to my soccer practice to suggest I try out for the role!
Millie: I am passionate about Drama and have been involved in several shows, such as The Miracle Worker, and music events, like the “YCIS Battle of the Bands.”
Q: Do you relate personally to your characters?
Antoine: I do share similarities with Tarzan. I’m more quiet and pensive compared to others, on and off stage.
Millie: I admire that Jane is so excited about the little things, and I can relate to her sense of adventure!
Q: Are you considering a future in drama?
Antoine: My future goal is to be entrepreneur like my dad, but I think the skills I’ve learned in Tarzan, like diligence and presence, could certainly help me to succeed.
Millie: I also love physical education and I would ideally like to pursue a career that combines my two passions, Sports and Drama!
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