To think drama classes at 3 is a bit much

[Nicpem1982]

Class has come up at dds performing arts academy I think it's alot for 3 year old as she already does ballet and tap dd things she should do it

Our local drama school starts kids at 3... That is 30min Drama, 30min Dance & 30min Singing. Both my kids went and enjoyed it. Once they are 5 they move up to 60min lessons.
I really believe it depends on DC and the teaching - if it is done in a fun way there is a lot to learn!

that's kind of my thinking although dh thinks it'll be good for her she's very confident in that she is happy to perform on stage and dance etc but he thinks it'll help her gain confidence with standing up in class and reading etc when she starts school

Ylva- the academy is lovely the classes are really fun the teachers are brilliant. Dd started dance at 16 months and loves it

My DC's class at school has theatre sessions every other week (they're 3 - not UK). But it just copying an actor doing movements and sounds and learning to use their bodies.

DS1 got a lot out of it. DS2 isn't so into it yet.

Anything more than that and I'd say they're too young. Unless you're looking for things to fill time up!

If DD wants to do it and enjoys it (and you can afford it!), then no, it's not too much.

My two children have both done several loosely-structured activities from around age two, and have very much enjoyed them. If they didn't enjoy them, they wouldn't go.

Assuming the classes focus is on imaginative play, teamwork and confidence building it sounds fun. If you have time/can afford it/she enjoys it why not?

It’s not a ‘need’ and whether or not it has any long term benefits is probably questionable but I can’t see how it could harm unless the child in question is unhappy:

Much too late! You need to start them at four months if you're at all serious.

Nicpem1982- than go for it! As long as she has fun there is nothing wrong with attending drama class.

(To all of you thinking 3years is to young for activities: it's not! It's meant to be fun. What is wrong is parents putting pressure on children to achieve and succeed in the extra activities.)

Cheesy- she was much to busy at 4 months with her swimming and sensory classes

Ylva- i don't understand the issue with 3 year olds taking classes either. We don't put pressure on dd with her hobbies.

I think that we will add the drama class to our schedule and see how she gets on.

For the people saying 3 is too young could some one tell me what is the 'magical' age that children should start hobbies etc? I'm curious

On its own not, but with dance as well I think it is.

There is a massive difference between Drama class and actor training course. It's no different to dance or swimming where they play abd have fun, surely?

They’re usually a lot of games at that age. Not training as such -dance training needs to start earlyish really, drama doesn’t - so drama classes for kids are about games and playing and being fun.

I was anti lots of classes for kids before I had kids. Then ds1 was severely autistic and I decided pre-schooler ds2 really needed something to do to have a break from autism-land. He was just about to turn 4 and most classes only took people from 5. I was looking for football or something like that. Eventually found one of the franchise stage schools took kids from 4. I remember ringing and saying ‘you’re not pushy are you? We’re not interested in him going on the stage, just want him to have some fun. I don’t want him to come under any pressure’. Anyway she reassured me it was all about fun and games and not auditions so we sent him along. When he got to about 7 he wanted to stop but I said he had to do the notice period as we’d paid and by the end of that he wanted to stay. Age 9 he did his first West End tour show. Me before the audition ‘no-one gets their first audition’ blah blah. he reminds me of that now. After that show he was hooked and then he auditioned successfully for quite a few shows (got rejected from others as well) until his voice broke. He had some amazing experiences which included taking his first flight and performing singing solos/duets in 1000 & 2000 seat theatres.

He’s switched to a more serious stagey type School now and wants to audition for drama school (me: ‘you know 2000 people audition for about 24 places don’t you?’ but none of that was the plan and at 4 he certainly wasn’t training for that (luckily - I wouldn’t have let him do it if I thought there was any serious stage training going on, and I guess he would never have discovered he loved it).

He helps out with drama classes for the little ones now - I can ask him when he gets back from his nye party what they do - and whether it’s any different than the games he did when he was little, but I suspect it’s a lot of games.

If your child enjoys it and the classes are age appropriate, by all means go for it.

Devilish - that sounds lovely what a great experience for your son.

I suspect it is just games etc too her first ballet class was games etc with ways to build in basic techniques

DD4 goes to performing arts classes with the same set up as Ylvamoon (wonder if it’s the same franchise )

She absolutely adores her Sunday mornings. It’s all about confidence building and having fun at that age through play and expressing themselves although I was surprised that they managed to get a short Christmas production out of them, which they absolutely loved doing and I thought was fairly impressive. In a way I wish she had started at 3, it’s done wonders for her self esteem (especially with starting school around the same time) and I’ve found she’s far less accident prone too I’ve not experienced any pushiness at all from either staff or parents. I’d be the first to walk away if there was, I can’t stand that crap!

Bananas - my dd is in it for the fun we're not looking to push her into professional performances

The more ‘serious’ drama classes tend to only start from about 14/15/16 and are usually audition only.

The younger classes are all about fun - really all about fun. If she enjoys it and you have the cash I’d go for it.

I would encourage drama lessons at 3, the classes in my area start at 4 and it's mostly about boosting the kind of make believe games preschoolers enjoy. All good fun at the time for kids who enjoy it, and introduces basic presentation skills etc so speaking in front of the class and group work aren't scary new concepts when they crop up later in school.

No difference in doing a toddler drama class than a toddler dance or gym class to me. It'll be mainly play based and probably less structure than many dance classes. No toddler class is necessary, even swimming. At that age the classes should be just fun and with some social activities, and only if they are interested.

Dd started Drama classes (small independent theatre company, not one of the bigger stagecoach type affairs) at 5 and initially we started it as thought it would be good to improve confidence (so opposite to what some people have said on here) which had been the case tbh. She's 15y and still goes to the same theatre company doing Drama and singing classes, and it's done her wonders over the years.