Dramatic Play for Children (Part 1)

I am not a historian. I happen to think that the content of my mother’s life—her myths, her superstitions, her prayers, the contents of her pantry, the smell of her kitchen, the song that escaped from her sometimes parched lips, her thoughtful repose and pregnant laughter— are all worthy of art. (August Wilson, playwright)

Children of all ages love to pretend. As children leave early childhood, they enter a new stage of drama that is a more formal type of play-acting—going on stage to present prepared scripts.

In addition to creating theater in its many forms, children benefit from seeing it. Theater for young audiences, also known as children’s theater, is dramatic theater performed by professionals specifically for an audience of children.

As young children take part in drama, they gain many benefits:

1. Knowledge of and skill in theater arts.
2. Improved literacy skills—reading, writing, and speaking.
3. Development of imagination and aesthetic awareness.
4. Independent and critical thinking and increased ability to solve problems.
5. Social growth and the ability to work with others.
6. A healthy release of emotion.
7. Fun and recreation.

Educational theater offers parents benefits as well:

1. Time spent with their child in creative moments.
2. Insights into the observations, impressions, interests, fears, and humor that their child reveals.
3. Opportunities to witness their child’s developmental growth.
4. The chance to help their child understand some of life’s dilemmas.

ENGAGING YOUNG CHILDREN IN THEATRE

There are several ways that parents and teachers can help children enjoy dramatic play, even with little or no theater background or experience. First of all, encourage children to play and to be imaginative. If you ask questions, you extend and deepen the experience. For example, children enjoy reenacting common everyday experiences. One child might decide to be a storekeeper and ask the parent or teacher to take the role of the customer. Simple questions can broaden play. “Do you have these shoes in the color red?”“How much do these shoes cost?” The adult allows the child to direct dialogue and ideas, but supports the play by developing the theme initiated by the child.

For young children, it is possible to encourage dramatic play by providing a special space. This could be a corner of a child’s room where toys are kept or a space in a family room or kitchen. Add to the possibilities by collecting “props,” everyday objects ready for dramatization. For instance, a scarf can become a shawl, a sash, or any number of things. Hats can denote different characters. Baskets, bags, and plastic dishes are all useful props.

Storytelling through dramatic play is a favorite activity of young children. Begin by reading a well known children’s story then reenact the story.

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Finally, enjoy these early experiences with your child. Remember that they are the child’s first engagement with this art form and can lead to lifelong pleasure. You are not necessarily encouraging a career in theater; you are helping the development of a human being through this most human of the arts, the theater.

Adapted from: NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS

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