How Parents Can Support Young Performers with Grace and Joy
By: Eleasha Krause
Practical, faith-filled ways parents can support their young performers with grace, encouragement, and joy as they grow in confidence both on and off the stage.
The first time my twin boys stepped onto a stage, I held my breath, not because I doubted them, but because I realized how much I wanted to get this right as their mom. They seemed completely at ease, far more confident than I felt sitting in the audience. I wanted them to enjoy themselves and discover their gifts, but like many parents, I quietly wondered how to guide them well. I didn’t want to push too hard or make performing feel like something they had to do. I simply wanted to support them in a way that helped them grow without losing the joy of it.
Celebrate the Process, Not Just the Performance
It’s easy to focus on the big recital or opening night, but the real growth happens in the quiet hours of practice and preparation. I’ve learned to celebrate effort more than perfection. When my boys memorize a tricky line, stick a difficult move in a dance routine, or simply step onto the stage with courage, I make sure to notice and celebrate those small victories. Those are the moments that shape character far beyond any applause.
Supporting young performers is about presence, not perfection. It’s about showing up, listening, encouraging, and trusting that God is working in their hearts, even when we can’t see how everything will come together.
Be Their Encourager, Not Their Coach
Directors and teachers provide all the instruction they need. What children need most from parents is unconditional encouragement. Simple words like “I loved watching you” or “You looked like you were having fun” mean far more than detailed advice about how to improve.
At home, I try to keep my role simple. I offer feedback only when asked, maybe suggesting a different way to say a line, but I let my kids make the final call. My main job is to cheer them on rather than direct from the sidelines.
Respect Their Pace
Every child has a different rhythm. Some want to rehearse every spare moment, while others need time to rest and recharge. By respecting their pace, I’ve learned to help them find balance and protect their love for the arts.
Though my boys often share the same stage, they don’t always share the same confidence or timing. One might step into a role easily, while the other takes longer to feel ready. Learning to see and celebrate them as individuals, even while walking similar paths, has been both humbling and beautiful.
Create a Supportive Home Environment
Support often looks practical. For us, it means car rides filled with line rehearsals, evenings spent moving furniture to make space for dancing, or simply making sure they have time to rest. None of it is glamorous, but all of it matters. Each small act reminds them that their passion is worth investing in and that the gifts God gave them are worth using well.
Teach Resilience Through Setbacks
Not every audition leads to a role, and not every performance feels like a success. Those moments can be painful but often hold the most valuable lessons. Rejection and disappointment can refine our children and help them grow in strength and faith.
In our home, that lesson sometimes hits close to the heart. There have been times when one of my twins earned a part the other had been hoping for. We’ve shared honest conversations and learned to celebrate a sibling’s success even when it stings a little. Those experiences have taught both of them what true grace, humility, and perseverance look like and that every role has purpose, even when it isn’t the one they wanted.
I’ve watched my boys face setbacks with courage and grace, choosing to try again instead of giving up. Each challenge reminds them that God’s plan is bigger than any single show or part.
Keep Perspective
Whether or not my boys continue performing as adults, I know the lessons they’re learning now will stay with them. Performing has taught them teamwork, discipline, confidence, and gratitude. It’s shown them how to use their gifts to bring light to others and reminded me that the truest measure of success is a heart that stays humble.
A Final Word of Encouragement
In the end, the best thing we can give our children is freedom. Freedom to love what they do without worrying about letting anyone down. When they know they’re supported no matter the result, the stage becomes a place of joy, courage, and discovery.
The applause will fade, but the confidence, character, and quiet faith they build along the way will last a lifetime.
What stage is your child standing on right now, and how can you help them love it, not just perform on it?
___________________________________________________________________________
At STAND Ministries, we believe the stage is more than a place to perform. It is a place to grow in confidence, character, and faith, and to shine the light of God’s love through every story told.
