As families begin preparing for another school year, calendars quickly fill with activities. Sports, music, theater, clubs, and dance all compete for a child’s time and attention. While schedules and logistics are often part of the decision-making process, there is another important question worth considering: What experiences will help my child grow—not just in skill, but as a person?
As I approach my 40th year as a dance educator, I find myself reflecting often on what children truly carry with them from their experiences in the arts. After all these years of teaching, I have learned that some of the most meaningful lessons happen long before the curtain opens and long after the music ends.
The arts certainly teach children valuable skills. They learn creativity, discipline, focus, and the importance of working toward a goal. But the greatest gifts often cannot be measured on a stage or captured in a trophy.
They learn confidence. Confidence rarely arrives all at once. More often, it grows through small moments—a child trying something new, overcoming a challenge, receiving encouragement, and realizing, “I can do this.” Over time, those small victories help children discover their own strength.
They learn resilience. In the arts, children learn that mistakes are part of the process. A challenging skill, a difficult rehearsal, or a moment of frustration becomes an opportunity to practice patience and perseverance.
They learn belonging. One of the most powerful things we can offer children is a place where they feel seen, valued, and supported. Creative spaces provide opportunities for children to build friendships, encourage one another, and become part of a community that extends beyond the classroom.
Over the years, I have watched children enter a room for the first time with uncertainty and hesitation. I have watched them slowly find their voice, build friendships, take on leadership roles, and become mentors to younger students. Those moments remind us that the arts are not just about creating performers—they are about helping children become confident, compassionate individuals.
The relationships children build with teachers and mentors also matter deeply. A caring adult who recognizes a child’s potential, celebrates their progress, and encourages them through challenges can make an impact that lasts far beyond the activity itself.
As parents, we naturally want our children to learn and succeed. We want them to develop skills and accomplish goals. But perhaps an equally important question is: Who will my child become because of this experience?
The arts have a unique ability to nurture the whole child. They provide a place for creativity, connection, self-expression, and growth. Whether a child continues performing for years or simply carries these lessons into the next chapter of life, the impact remains.
Long after the final performance, the greatest gifts stay with them: confidence to try, courage to grow, kindness toward others, and the knowledge that they belong. Those are lessons worth investing in.
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