A Parent’s Guide to Theater for Young Kids

When to start theater, what it looks like, and how to foster theater skills 

Don’t dismiss musical theater when it comes time to introduce your early elementary student to extracurricular activities. Much like soccer, basketball, and tee-ball, musical theater delivers the fun kids desire and the life lessons parents just can’t replicate. 

WHAT young kids learn from musical theater 

Organizations like Performing Arts Academy introduce kids to theater elements such as music, movement, and storytelling. Through age-appropriate productions, students learn to dance and sing in a group, accomplish basic choreography and movement, and increase their confidence through public speaking. 

Students learn to rely on each other in a supportive environment. They witness how each individual contributes to the final production and learn to support each other along the way. 

PAA Resident Acting Director Katie Reid shares her favorite part of teaching younger students. 

“The best part of teaching early elementary is seeing all the light bulbs going off on opening night! You can teach a child to “cheat out” (or turn their body toward the audience so they can be better seen and heard), but when they have their friends and family out in the audience, you see their little brains go ‘ah ha! I want my family to see me, so I need to cheat out like Ms Katie said!'”

Learn how Musical Theater is Different at PAA. 

HOW young kids learn musical theater skills 

At PAA, teaching instructors have degrees in their expertise and are often active in the theater community. More importantly, they have a passion for sharing the arts with children. 

“Our instructors lead with their passion for the performing arts and break down theater basics according to the age group they are teaching.” 

All scripts are age-appropriate, from the length of the production (20-30 minutes for early elementary) to the vocabulary used, to the overarching lesson from each show.

Teaching artists take time to review what lessons are to be learned from the story and how to apply those lessons to everyday life. From Finding Nemo to Annie Jr., there is always a valuable lesson to be learned. 

Let your K-2 student explore the magical world of musical theater this summer in PAA’s production of Puzzle Puppy and Toys – The Night They Come Alive. 

Young students learn how to memorize lines and music through techniques, including theater games.  One theater game involves young students listening to familiar music (usually a Disney movie song) and acting out each character featured in the song. The kids love the popular music and learn to explore different characters and their emotions. 

Theater games keep kids engaged while introducing fundamental theater techniques like projection, stage direction, and memorization. 

WHEN is my student ready for theater 

The most important factor is your child’s interest, attention span, and ability to follow directions. If they’re always singing around the house and love to perform, they’re probably ready to give it a try!

Check out PAA’s early elementary shows or early elementary theater singing, acting, and dancing classes.