Why Are Youth Performances So Important?

TL;DR: With the guidance of trained coaches who care and believe in their unique skills and abilities, kids 

• Learn to express themselves through movement

• Build confidence and community with every performance 

• Follow through with something entirely their own from start to finish

How does performing help children grow? 

At our studio, we encourage our youth aerial students to perform in showcases once they grow comfortable in their basic skills for a number of reasons. Yes, because we want their families to see all that they’ve accomplished, but also because something magical happens when a child is given the chance to shine. 

Young people have a lot to deal with, physically and emotionally. We’ve all been there. Their bodies are evolving, their sense of self is developing, and there are many things in their lives that are simply out of their control. We spend a lot of time coaching kids, and we know these constantly changing variables can make it hard to learn who you are and what you want to become. 

Self confidence is not something that always comes easy growing up, and aerial arts offer a very unique and special opportunity to explore, express, and exist in a way that feels bigger than one’s self. 

We can feel it the most when our youth students are performing. 

What happens when kids take the stage? 

1. They get to own their performance.

In a time where their agency is still developing, this is something that is truly theirs. When a child is given the chance to create a routine that resonates with them, their awareness of self begins to form. It’s more than a performance, it’s a declaration. 

It’s them saying “this is me.” They’re choosing their moves, their songs, their costumes, and stringing everything together to create something that shows you who they really are.

2. They learn to appreciate their bodies.

The biological journey to adulthood is a tumultuous one, and there are moments where it often feels uncomfortable to be a young person with a body. Performing allows children to see what amazing things their bodies are capable of, removing the focus from what they can’t control to what they can. 

Plus, hearing a crowd cheer them on for their accomplishments invites celebration where they may have once felt shame. Students learn to take care of and appreciate their bodies, because they allow them to do incredible things. 

3. They become comfortable in front of crowds.

Before all the public speaking courses, the presentations, the job interviews, the conferences—there’s an aerial performance that shows them they can handle attention. This is a skill that many young people don’t develop until they have to, and performing is a great way to “sneak in the veggies” and set the stage for confidence in front of others. They did a hard thing and put themselves out there, and that feeling will carry them through other moments of life. 

We have high expectations of our youth students because we know what they’re capable of. We want them to begin expressing themselves, making decisions, taking ownership of their creativity, and appreciating the amazing things they can do. Above all, we want them to know they’re a part of something, a community that believes in them and pushes them to be the best versions of themselves. 

If your child is interested in flying with us, join us for an introductory youth aerial workshop in Frederick, MD!

Have questions about our youth aerial program? Check out our FAQ page!