Arts is a beautiful thing. We have different kinds of art like music, painting, sculpture, dance, and drama. They all give us a different kind of beauty that can be appreciated by different kinds of people. Schools nowadays incorporate arts in learning which is a great thing. However, not all curriculum are made the same, Julia Gabriel education system provides specially designed programmes to equip the children with the necessary speech and drama skills. In this article we are going to focus on how drama can benefit and help with the learning of our children.
In an article by JENNIFER COOPER we are going to read all about integrating music, drama, and dance to learning.
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Integrating Music, Drama, and Dance Helps Children Explore and Learn
It’s a simple question, but when a teacher, taking the role of a zookeeper, poses it to a group of children, learning happens. The scenario opens the door to creativity and free play. It introduces the concepts of animal needs and animal habitats. It sparks exploration of STEAM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics), setting young children up for a lifetime as learners, problem solvers, and artists.
Integrating the arts
The teacher-in-the-role-of-a-zookeeper/monkeys-on-the-loose example represents one way teachers can integrate arts into curriculum to help young children explore and learn. Through the teacher-in-role approach, children learn by engaging in dramatic, active play. With this technique, the teacher brings the lesson to life and asks rich, open-ended questions that encourage children to apply critical thinking skills to activities that touch on all the STEAM fields. Read more here.
One strategy is introduced in the article and it is the teacher-in-role strategy which challenges children to use creativity and critical thinking through dramatic play. This strategy is used to help children solve a problem, to ask questions to guide children’s exploration, and to create a safe environment. Next up, StageWise will give us 11 more benefits of drama.
11 Important Benefits of Drama
StageWise – The Performing Arts Camp for Teenagers – Personal DevelopmentThere is a lot of established research about the positive influences from drama, theatre and the performing arts, especially on young people. The benefits are physical, emotional, social, and they help to develop a healthy appreciation of culture and the arts.
Self-Confidence
Aspects of performing arts, especially improvisation, helps young people to understand how to appraise situations, think outside the box and be more confident going into unfamiliar situations. Students learn to trust their ideas and abilities. Confidence gained from learning performing arts skills applies to school, career, and life.
Imagination
Being creative and learning to make creative choices helps students to be better at thinking of new ideas, allowing them to view the world around them in new ways. Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” Read more here.
One of the benefits given above is physical fitness. Since your children would be moving around and doing a lot of actions, then it would also be a kind of exercise for them. Instead of just sitting all day in class which would make them bored, drama classes would let them enjoy. For more benefits of drama classes for children, let us read We Have Kids’ article below.
The Benefits of Drama Classes for Children
When you consider drama clubs and classes for children, what conclusions do you draw? Do you think of a room full of confident, extrovert young people with ruthless ambitions for Hollywood or television? Has your own child expressed an interest in the peforming arts and been badgering to go? Have you spotted what you think might be a hidden talent, and can’t bear to see it wasted – or do you have a realistic feeling that your child is probably not destined for stardom, but you are wondering whether drama club just might be beneficial in other ways?
What Types of Children Go To Drama Classes?
In short, all sorts. My child has attended a drama club for the past five years, and I would say that in general, the class is filled with all different types of children. Most, I would say, are there for the enjoyment, rather than any lofty dreams or ambitions. At the club my child attends, the emphasis is certainly on learning drama through fun. There is no pressure, the environment is informal and the teaching both positive and inspiring. Of course, all drama clubs and schools are different – some are more structured than others – but I can certainly say that my experience of my own child’s drama class is that the children are not competitive but quite the opposite. They are all having fun through drama and self-expression. Read more here.
As said earlier, drama classes can help your children to be comfortable of being part of a group. This could really be helpful because as they grow up, they would be encountering different kinds of people and being part of a drama class as a child could help them adjust. Remember that in school or at work, we don’t always get to choose who we’re going to work with. That is why as early as possible, let us let drama help us be good of being part of a group.
