Use drama to help children by giving them a way to express difficult emotions.
The use of drama, either in a classroom setting, at home or in organized activities, can help children overcome social obstacles and improve their language skills. Dramatization motivates children because it's fun and gives them a chance to practice situations they may struggle with in real life. Increased self-confidence, a working imagination and the ability to work with others are other benefits children can gain from the use of drama. In dramatic play, children use language they may not use in other situations, solve problems and learn cooperative skills.
Instructions
1. Use role-playing techniques to help children communicate feelings and prepare for new situations. Practice with a child handle an argument with a peer and ask someone for help with a difficult problem.
2. Motivate and excite children with dramatic use of your voice and body while telling them stories about famous people or historical figures. Act out a story or recite a monologue to peak their interest.
3. Involve children in acting out stories to expand their imaginations and give them experience in expressing emotions. Many children who have difficulty expressing emotion find it therapeutic to act out an emotion in a play.
4. Practice acting out different emotions with children as an activity to help them understand and connect with their own feelings.
5. Give children a chance to use dramatization in free play time by providing dress-up clothes, props and mirrors. Children will gain language skills and self-confidence as they act out different real-life situations, such as going to the grocery store or teaching school.
6. Ask children to tell stories using dolls or puppets. This can help children express thoughts, feelings and ideas they may be too inhibited to share when being themselves.
7. Give children structured dramatic play assignments, such as miming feelings of anger or silliness, to build self-confidence and understanding of their emotions. Have them act out a story or a situation dealing with bullying or friendship to teach them empathy.
Tags: help children, dramatic play, Give children, language skills