4 ways watching live performances is good for young people

Remember the first time you saw a circus in a tent, a play on stage, or a live music performance? There was so much child-like wonder and engagement in the experience, and that’s why you still fondly remember it. Though we are living in hard times after the pandemic, this is a joy we must not deprive our children of. Take them out for on-ground performances shows once the situation allows you to. They have more benefits than just creating memories and selfies. Here, we guide you through them.  

Watching live performances builds empathy in kids  
When we watch a live performance, we either walk in the shoes of the characters of a story or are won over by the skill of the performer. For kids, it’s a safe space to witness scenarios and people they might not be exposed to otherwise, not even online. Through this witnessing, they automatically empathise with the performers and the story / art form they represent.   

Live performances break barriers and increase exposure  
At school, children are largely limited to people in their age group, and from similar backgrounds. Live performances break these barriers. When your children sits with you and 200 other people watching a play or a dance performance, they realise that everyone is clapping at the same point. It means everyone, irrespective of background or age, can react similarly to great art. On one hand it breaks barriers for them, on the other hand it exposes them to a greater slice of society.  

Live performances help in understanding and retaining concepts  
When high school students read Shakespeare, they often find it boring and difficult. But take them to watch the same text on stage, and you will find they suddenly know a few dialogues! Similarly, we can talk to them about our glorious past in history class, but once they watch classical singing or dancing shows, they realise first-hand what it heritage concretely means.  

Live performances increase concentration in kids  
Practicing mindfulness, i.e. understanding and living consciously in the moment, is beneficial for kids. We all know it increases their concentration. But getting any kid from 4 to 18 to practice concentration exercises on a yoga mat is tough, as any parent will agree. Take the same kid to watch an exciting acrobatics show, and you will see they don’t even need popcorn to stay focused.