Three Ways Drama Can Help Your Shy Child Blossom
While some children delight in being the center of attention, others find it very uncomfortable. Studies show that 10-15% of children aged kindergarten to eighth grade (primary 2) exhibit shy behavior. If your preschooler avoids talking to unfamiliar people, hides behind you in public, or refrains from playing with other children, they may be the shy type.
Bashfulness can range from mild to crippling, from the occasional bouts of timidness to potentially inhibiting children from forming healthy relationships. If left unattended, years of debilitating shyness can result in depression and curtail a child’s development. While most children who suffer from intermittent shyness grow up into well-adjusted adults, a more timid child can benefit from some intervention.
Participating in drama has shown to be highly beneficial for timid children. While the idea of being on stage may seem like the shy child’s worst fear, being part of a drama group can do wonders in helping them develop social skills and build confidence.
Here are three reasons why your shy child should participate in drama:
Drama Can Build Communication Skills
The games and exercises introduced in drama teach children how to express themselves. Practicing these techniques can help them develop their voice and become more comfortable speaking up. They’re likely to feel more grounded in who they are and more unreserved in their social life the more they rehearse these skills.
Drama Provides a Positive Space to Flourish
For children with debilitating shyness, finding a social group where they feel a sense of belonging is crucial. Drama provides a safe, nurturing, and non-judgmental container where kids can gradually step out of their comfort zones and expand their creativity. Through guided exercises, children learn how to open up to each other in ways they have trouble doing elsewhere. They learn how to collaborate with peers instead of feeling fearful of them. This goes a long way in building their confidence and helping them thrive socially outside of drama.
Drama is a Fun and Creative Environment
The competitive academic world can be challenging for a timid child. Drama is a space where they can be silly and express themselves in ways they usually feel too anxious. Allowing freedom for the shy child to be their authentic self in an uncritical environment can bolster their self-confidence in bounds. The practices of improvisation and pretend play can foster strategies children can use to shine in otherwise overwhelming environments.
Placing your shy child in drama can provide a positive, relaxed, playful, and safe place for them to hone their communication skills, gain self-esteem, and ease their social fears. The uncritical, casual environment of drama can be a welcome reprieve for children feeling isolated around their peers. Participating in drama can help timid children find a sense of belonging where they can start to express themselves more freely. The skills they gain through drama games and exercises can help them manage and even conquer their shyness to blossom into their best selves. Whether your child’s shyness is moderate or debilitating, placing them in drama is a valuable way to support them in coping with their social inhibitions.
