Children Can Learn Communication skills through the Arts and Sports
- ljknight03
- Oct 31, 2023
- 7 min read
Updated: Nov 1, 2023
4 things to consider when choosing activities to help your child's emotional development. Which is most beneficial for your youngsters?
Children can learn to communicate through the arts or a sport.
The arts give children a creative way to express themselves. Regardless of which art or sport, a child has many options to learn to communicate in their own way, learn to be creative, and become independent in their thinking.
Finding which one is right depends on the individual. Allow them to try several kinds and let them choose which one suits them best. This can give your child a chance to make an independent decision.
Should we choose private lessons or a class?
Private Lessons: It depends on the personality of the child and the purpose of the activity.
If isolation and lack of confidence is an issue, a private lesson may not be the answer. However, If you are looking to advance skills, one-on-one will accelerate the learning process, In addition, the Instruction is a more tailored and individually planned experience from the instructor.
Classes lessons: It may be you are looking to create the experience of bonding, trust, confidence building, learning social skills, sharing, and independence, the class or team may be the best option.
Bonding with others with the same interests such as teams, classmates and organized activities helps influence your child. This enables the creation of comradery and at times they influence each other. This can help kids looking to fit in,
Other advantages to group instruction were brought forward by
https://thevault.musicarts.com/private-vs-group-lessons/ stating “ There are plenty of advantages to a structured group lesson program. In many cases, students in group lessons will observe each other’s progress and mistakes, learning together and providing encouragement along the way. Additionally, students who learn to play comfortably in front of their peers will have an easier time managing their nerves during a recital or performance.”
This is relevant not only in music but all forms of performing arts.
Do you trust the teacher or coach?
Children absolutely learn more than the subject of instruction from their mentor, coach, or teacher.
Kids learn to trust their teachers and coaches. They look to them for guidance and approval. Setting a good example for the students is most important when choosing the right teacher or coach for your child. Children often copy those they look up to. Discipline, actions, and reactions are often part of their learning.
While learning in class or a private, kids observe everything.
Sometimes a coach or mentor can leave an impression even if it’s the same lessons that parents have been teaching. I recently had a young man tell me he learned life lessons from his football coach, who taught him to engage by using the respectful title of “Sir". He says that 15 years later, he still practices this same respectful term in all aspects of his adult life.
I have seen these types of influences many times in many ways. It can be very positive but also can be very negative.
I say, observe the teacher/coach and how they handle themselves because your child will learn many things in many different ways.
Trust: At some point trust the instructor during their time with your child. Remember you requested and chose this person to teach your child something they might know more about than you.
KendyVierling. Human Performance Scientist and senior liaison for science and technology at the U.S. Marine Corps Training and Education Command, also commented and brought up good points on the subject.
How does a child channel their thoughts into the arts?
It appears to me that often, a child can not yet channel their thoughts into words or seem to be introverted in their personality. However, through creative art, a child may express what they are thinking or feeling.
A connection to music, dance, song, painting, or many other arts can often spark a want to express in their own way. When a child feels a response or acknowledgment of their efforts, they can build self-confidence and take on the challenge of taking the next step.
While some people may argue that creative arts are not always an effective way for children to express themselves, it is important to recognize that every child is unique and may have different preferences and strengths when it comes to self-expression. I think it is important for the child to choose.
Dr. Thalia R. Goldstein, Ph.D.an Associate Professor of Applied Developmental Psychology. Whose work focuses on children’s developing social-emotional skills, spoke in Psychology Today,
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-mind-stage/201902/contexts-the-arts-in-child-development
“Students engage in a creative process which connects an art form and another subject area and meets evolving objectives in both.” Examples of this may include making a dance about the skeletal system or singing a song about the solar system.”
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia agrees Creative communication gives confidence and allows expression.
The process of one thing leading to another is a great tool for young minds looking to find themselves.
The question of competition
I believe in performing arts, the focus should be on creativity and enjoying the artistic process.
However, I also agree that in a competitive environment, the goal is to have a winner and a loser. Competition teaches important lessons and helps individuals and teams develop a strong work ethic and to achieve goals. Winning in a competition provides a sense of accomplishment that could last forever. If everyone gets a participation trophy, it can boost their ego and create a sense of equality, but it can also backfire without a clear goal. Participation awards are good as a memory of the experience.
Some people may question the purpose of competing if everyone is treated the same. It is important to remember, that the definition of competition is "a contest between rivals". On the other hand, unfair advantages must be addressed to keep competition fair, such as age categories or handicaps.
Competition provides a young person a good way to work up to something and get feelings of accomplishment, through their own achievements.
Similarly, giving a child an allowance every week versus your child doing chores around the house which equals work and they get paid for their work. (Of course, somethings kids are just responsible for helping.) That’s the same lesson in life, you get paid or you get rewarded for what you work for, and if you don’t have to work for anything, then you might not strive to be better as a person or look to achieve goals. A young adult could end up expecting an unrealistic outcome.
My point is that sometimes, a true artist does not compete for the win, but to achieve recognition for how they express. They communicate through themselves to get a point across and if it happens to be at the competition, that is where the win is. Others look at the arts as a sport, in competitions, and are mostly looking for their achievement award, the win, and well deserved.
Either way, the lessons learned are wonderful because the life lessons that they have learned can last forever.
Coach or teacher's effects on your child.
Witnessed by experience, the effects of how a coach or a teacher teaches their student to react regarding winning or losing at a competition has a heavy impact.
As an example, I had one of many students who did not win at a competition and was very angry and disappointed with themselves. The student sat on the sidelines and cried long after the event. Parents were not there.
I felt the next step would be crucial and a healthy reaction would be, “You have to decide what you’re going to do from here on. You can sit here and cry because you did not win or you can move on and go back to your studio and work harder until you get the next opportunity to show your strength and work up to being able to be a winner. It takes a good loser to be a good winner. It's called being a good sport. Keep trying and move up the ladder one step at a time".
Bringing up a good point of what went well in their performance and how you can improve for next time seems to be somewhat effective.
Almost 20 years later, now a parent of 2 and living across the US, I talked to this person who made it a point to tell me that experience was never forgotten and used in life.
Change a negative into a positive. This brings success.
In conclusion, I say, that parents have a critical role in guiding their children towards trustworthy mentors and positive activities. Doing so could lead to remarkable outcomes and help children achieve their full potential.
Every child is unique, and parents should support and direct them toward activities that cater to their interests and abilities. By doing this, parents can empower their children to express themselves confidently and lead fulfilling lives.
Each child is unique.
Encourage emotional awareness and self-confidence.
Join the conversation., your questions, and comments are valued, and communication is key, let me hear your thoughts.
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Simple Quotes
Do arts attract a certain kind of child?
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” –Pablo Picasso
Interesting reads from others
Can sports also help children express themselves?
“The benefits of participating in sport go beyond learning new physical skills. Sport helps children develop better ways to cope with the highs and lows of life. When they're playing sport, sometimes they will win, while at other times they will lose. Being a good loser takes maturity and practice. Losing teaches children to overcome disappointment, and cope with unpleasant experiences and is an important part of becoming resilient.
Playing sports helps children learn to control their emotions and channel negative feelings in a healthy way. It also helps children develop patience and understand that it can take a lot of practice to improve their skills. Children can then apply skills like perseverance and resilience in other areas of their life, including in the classroom at school and with other non-sporting hobbies.”
Are kids born with a competitive nature or natural rhythm or can they learn it
Nature or nurture
Are the arts and sports similar?
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