Dr Lucy Russell, Child Clinical Psychologist and founder of They Are The Future, shares how drama can support children's focus, attention control and flexible thinking.

As a clinical psychologist working with children and teens, I often talk to families about lifestyle choices. Things like sleep, diet, physical activity and extracurriculars can make a big difference in a child's mood, focus and ability to learn. Drama is one activity that's often overlooked but can be immensely effective, especially for my clients with ADHD.

There's a personal reason I recommend the "brain benefits" of drama. I've always had a love for performing in musical theatre, and my daughter, now 19, has been singing, dancing, and acting since she was little. We've shared the stage in many local productions and recently she performed in her first university musical. Her years in drama have, without a doubt, not only boosted her confidence and creativity but also improved her attention span, memory and overall learning.

You might be wondering, how exactly does drama help with focus and attention?

Let's break it down.

Learning scripts build focus and memory

When children take part in drama, they're asked to memorise lines, cues, lyrics and movements. It's all stored in their brains and recalled in the moment.

This kind of repetition builds working memory, which is the brain's ability to hold and use information over short periods of time. It also sharpens attention to detail. Children must stay present, listen closely to others and remember their next move. Over time, this boosts their ability to focus for longer stretches - a skill that's useful both onstage and in the classroom.

Researchers observing drama-based lessons found higher engagement compared to traditional lessons, because children are actively doing something (speaking, moving, collaborating) rather than sitting passively. A child who might struggle to sit still to complete a worksheet at school will keep focused for longer when they're involved in an interactive drama game or role-play. This can do wonders not only for their brain development and learning but also for their self-esteem!

In fact, a huge 2019 study found that children who took part in the arts were significantly more engaged in school. (Incidentally, they were also better behaved and showed more compassion for fellow students.) To support this, long-term studies show that participation in the arts greatly improves academic performance and even raises standardised test scores.

Movement fuels the brain

Of course, drama classes are also full of movement - walking, dancing and expressive gestures - and that movement matters.

Physical activity, especially the complex kind involved in dance or choreographed stage blocking, activates parts of the brain involved in what we call executive function. That's a fancy term for skills like attention control, planning, organisation and problem-solving. These are the brain's "air traffic control" systems and they're critical for learning and self-regulation.

What's more, when kids move their bodies, their brains release a chemical called BDNF, short for Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor. BDNF is like a fertiliser for the brain. It helps brain cells grow, connect and stay healthy. In short, movement helps the brain learn and focus.

Music and the brain

Studies have shown that music-related classes can boost children's executive function, including attention control, working memory and flexible thinking.

One study found that just 15 months of musical training led to structural brain changes in young children. So when your child is learning harmonies or keeping rhythm in a group, they're also strengthening the parts of the brain that help them focus and plan.

Drama encourages present-moment awareness

One of my favourite things about performing is the feeling of being "in flow", which is when you are totally focused in the moment, not worrying about anything in the past or the future. Actors have to stay tuned in to what's happening right now: the emotion in their scene partner's voice, the beat of the music and the cues from the director.

This level of focus helps train a skill called selective attention - the ability to tune out distractions and concentrate on what matters. In a world filled with buzzing phones and endless notifications, that's an increasingly valuable skill for children to develop.

Drama: A fun path to a stronger brain

The best part about all this is that children don't need to be aware of the science for the benefits to kick in. They just need to show up and have fun. Whether it's a weekly drama class or a full-scale production, the process of rehearsing, moving, remembering and connecting with others is uniquely powerful.

As a parent, you might be looking for ways to support your child's learning, confidence and attention. Drama is a joyful, enriching and scientifically supported way to do just that.

Dr Lucy Russell is an expert in children's autism and ADHD and founded They Are The Future to offer specialist autism guidance directly to parents through easy-to-access online resources. Find out more at theyarethefuture.co.uk