In the past 20 years or so, especially on the educational side of things, there has been a shift and emphasis toward children's theatre. I'm not an educator, I'm a theatre person. So, the whole concept is different. People learn in different ways. Some learn by moving or experiencing things, others learn through reading, others through the arts.
Theatre can be very effective for kids from all different backgrounds.
Two of the region's biggest trumpeters for the cause of children's theatre are Barber and Lawrence, who can not stress enough the impact it can have on the youth. The arts are what makes us human, it allows us to communicate our deepest feelings and thoughts. It should be first and foremost. One of the things I've noticed in the school system is that popular kids are cherished more, they matter more. It's up to the school system and us to cherish every child equally.