Theater activities in preschool or school are often associated with preparing short performances and school assemblies. However, their role goes far beyond that. At TEQUESTA, we observe how such activities not only nurture children’s imagination but also have a tangible impact on their emotional and social development. When a child steps into different roles, they can experiment with their own form of expression, learn empathy and how to understand other people’s feelings, and discover that creativity brings a great deal of joy and satisfaction.
Participating in simple theatrical scenes or “playing theater” has a positive influence on the development of vocabulary and communication skills. Children, in trying to express specific emotions or describe situations, begin to reach for new words more often, formulate more complex sentences, and practice speaking fluently. In a natural way, they also start to pay attention to tone of voice, rhythm, and intonation—thus discovering from an early age how crucial language is for conveying thoughts and building relationships.
Theatrical activities also help build self-confidence. Many Little Ones initially feel stage fright about performing—even if it’s just for a few peers in the classroom. However, once they realize that no one is judging them harshly and that the entire activity is about exploring new possibilities together, they gradually learn to “tame” their stress. Over time, they gain the courage to appear before a larger group, recite a few lines from memory, or even propose elements of the script themselves. In turn, this builds a stronger sense of self-worth in other aspects of their lives as well.
Another advantage of theatrical activities is the development of teamwork skills. Children must listen to and observe one another to respond appropriately to classmates’ words and gestures. They also learn the importance of supporting and respecting the roles played by the other members of the group. Even staging a short scene often requires collaboration in setting the order of lines, solving problems quickly, and helping one another in stressful situations (such as forgetting a line). These kinds of experiences, shared in a playful setting, translate into easier social interactions in everyday life.
From TEQUESTA’s perspective, theater-based activities are also a great opportunity to introduce elements of a foreign language. Children can try performing scenes in English or using simple dialogues, making contact with new words and phrases more practical in nature. Thanks to this, acquiring new vocabulary and becoming more fluent in a foreign language becomes a more natural process—preschoolers start associating particular phrases with specific stage situations, and speaking in another language becomes something they view as enjoyable and creatively fulfilling.
It is also worth noting that theatrical activities give children a safe environment in which to release emotions in a controlled way. By playing characters with different personalities or varied moods, children learn to express their feelings while experiencing them safely. This is especially valuable for those who are more reserved—encountering elements of theater helps them open up to others and overcome the fear of being judged by peers or adults.
Ultimately, participating in theatrical activities brings children plenty of joy and satisfaction—from mastering new skills to the simple fact of creating something unique together. At TEQUESTA, we see how even the shortest scene can become a celebration of imagination and cooperation for Little Ones. The children leave the classroom smiling, enriched by new experiences that will benefit them in the future—whether it’s finding the courage to speak in public or developing the ability to form friendly relationships.
