What is my child getting out of this performance experience?
As a parent, you may be thinking: I’m paying for a costume that may only get
worn once, I’m buying tickets for my whole family to attend a 3-hour recital in
which my child will only be dancing for 3 minutes, I’m doing special hair,
make-up, and making sure we have the right colour tights - all for what?
Excellent question!
We think the question deserves an answer J. Following is a short list of benefits to your
child and the reason why participation in the recital is so valuable to their
development.
1. Recitals provide
achievable goals
Just as athletes have tournaments and games, performers have
recitals! When a student knows they will
be showing their moves off to family and friends, it gives them a bit of extra
motivation to work a little bit harder.
In the end, the recital is considered to be the highlight of the
dancer’s experience. It is a celebration
of their work over the past year of classes.
The pride they feel in accomplishing this goal is a real
confidence-booster!
2. Recitals promote social cooperation (teamwork)
The dances in the
recital are performed as a class. Even
though dance class encourages the development of the individual, the recital
promotes working together toward a common goal.
Camaraderie is a skill that will help the student in school, career, and
family life. Students also learn
patience, listening, and leadership skills as they help each other with learning
and practising the steps. (This is also
why dance classes usually result in the making of friendships that last a
lifetime!)
3. Recitals help kids overcome anxieties
Because the recital dances are performed in groups, students
feel safer about going out in front of a crowd to perform. They get a sense of empowerment over the
nervous feeling, and come out the other side realizing they overcame their fear! The gratifying sound of applause will
encourage them to take action in spite of when they are fearful, and help them
to be brave enough to overcome other obstacles they will face in life.
4. Recitals build memorization skills
Learning how to memorize is a highly-recommended skill for
future professional opportunities. If
your child can have the ability to absorb and retain the steps of their dance,
they are building skills towards a successful future without even realizing
it. Actually, they are probably just
having fun, which is the best way to learn!
5. Recitals build problem-solving skills
Things don’t always go easily, or as planned. This is true in life, and in dance! Learning how to overcome unexpected
challenges is one of the many benefits of participating in the performing
arts. Whether it be how to deal with a
lost costume piece, or figuring out how to remember to go left instead of
right, dealing with the unexpected and working through to viable solutions is
very beneficial for students of all ages (and parents too…did you think you
were off the hook on this learning curve? Lol).
6. Recitals create moments of celebration and
lifelong memories
For families, recital is an opportunity to celebrate
their child’s achievements in dance. For
dancers, the recital is a positive experience that instills a passion for the performing
arts and, in turn, a passion for lifelong learning. The costumes and pictures
then become valuable keepsakes of a special time for all involved.
Although the thought of the costume, practising,
commitment, dress rehearsal, and performing in front of a large audience may
seem overwhelming at first, the benefits of participating in the year-end
recital are incredible! Both dancers and
parents alike often consider recital as the highlight of the dance year!
Our Stars on Stage recital will be held this year on June
7 at Pantages Playhouse Theatre. We
can’t wait to celebrate with you!
