6 Reasons Why We Should Take Our Kids to Musicals

Streaming may be fun and convenient but there’s just something different about bringing our kids to watch live musicals.

Most kids these days like watching streamers and vloggers because they have engaging content. But many of us grew up watching musicals, which was our form of entertainment before the internet existed. As parents, we also want to share what we loved watching as kids. From old cartoons to reimagined musicals, here are reasons why we should take our kids to musicals.

1. Develop an appreciation for art.

We want our kids to be well-rounded in their knowledge. Not just in Math and Science but, also in the Arts. The Arts help kids develop their language and abstract thinking as it pushes them to imagine and construct things in their minds. A musical does the same and engages them with all sorts of things—such as witnessing a performance in a Black Box theatre with only two pianos, which Repertory Philippines recently pulled off.

2. Musicals are one way to persuade kids to take up an instrument.

We’re always struggling to persuade our children to learn an instrument but are always met with a resounding: “NO”. But if there’s one way to convince our kids to learn an instrument, it’s to bring them to a musical. With a nice plot and engaging music coming from a musical like Rodger and Hammerstein’s Carousel, it can convince our kids to finally take up an instrument or at least appreciate different kinds of music.

3. Music improves mathematical thinking.

Studies have already proven that certain forms of music (particularly Mozart) improve mathematical or logical thinking. Musicals and broadway offer that kind of outlet because not only is their rhythm counting but it also has language to make sure the pattern matches. Arvind Gupta wrote an article back in 2009, revealing the relationship between music and math. So if you want your kids to develop a better appreciation for math, maybe it’s time to add a few musicals to the homeschool curriculum?

4. A lot of these musicals offer lessons about life.

Although this is not to say streamers and vloggers don’t offer life-changing lessons, musicals can help offer perspective to kids regarding real-life events. Rodger and Hammerstein’s Carousel was based on the time of the Great Depression when everyone was struggling to make a living. Moreover, it shows that not everyone got as lucky to make out of the economic recession.

5. It doesn’t count as screen time.

We’re all worried that our kids’ brains are melting in front of the screen (or what some of us moms call the idiot box). We’re not sure how to get them out because it needs to be something interesting. Not only do musicals entertain but, it doesn’t have the light that damages their eyes either. It’s like watching a movie but with live actors. There’s just a unique experience watching something like a live musical.

6. Musicals encourage kids to try out the arts for themselves.

There’s always going to be that high after coming from a live musical and kids are more easily affected by that. When they see the performers singing and dancing on stage especially if one plays their favorite character, they will want to try that for themselves. They’ll start dancing and singing, trying all sorts of things—which is perfect if you’re trying to help them manage their screen time.

Plus, musicals are a perfect bonding activity for the family!

Besides watching movies, musicals are another perfect bonding activity for the family. It gives the family a chance to talk about real things and how life was when the musical first came out. Besides, concerts might be too overstimulating and anxiety-inducing, especially with possible stampedes to happen. So, maybe for a change of pace, check out Repertory Philippines as they are currently performing Rodger and Hammerstein’s Carousel in the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez Black Box Theatre.

More about the Carousel or musicals:

Dads On The Carousel: Gian Magdangal and Lorenz Martinez
Karylle Tatlonghari and Mikkie Bradshaw Share Insights on Carousel
Repertory Philippines Sing The Ups and Downs of Post-Pandemic Parenting