Every child can benefit from Theatre in Education, from as young as six months. At Yale University, Professor Karen Wynne found when working with puppets that babies could distinguish between two jumps and three. In other words, they can do simple arithmetic long before they know what it means.
Educationalists once thought that children under five were incapable of absorbing a theatrical experience. In fact, children start using language of one kind or another from their first gurgles, and can respond to different intonations and speech rhythms in the first few days of life. The theatrical experience assists the expansion of languages skills.
Theatre in Education and role-play can also be a fun way to learn life skills. A therapeutic tool as well as a teaching instrument, it can be particularly helpful to the disruptive or socially incompetent pupil.
Where a kid is seeking attention in class through disruptive behaviour, don't send the kid out or expel them. Teachers should use their imagination and put themselves in the place of the kid, then laterally try to turn the situation around using role-play and hopefully humour. Role-play where the teacher plays a part - another part to that of the teacher - can create dynamic learning experiences for pupil and teacher.
For instance, the teacher can swap places with the disruptive pupil for a few minutes and in the role of pupil, give the new pupil/teacher a hard time. A few minutes open discussion seeking contributions as to what could make the learning process less of a chore, can teach pupil and teacher something over and above the facts of the curriculum. Self-discipline on the part of students emanates directly from respect for a teacher able to motivate the class and impart knowledge in an interesting way.
Theatre in Education can teach in a way that does not feel like school. For instance, it is very difficult to teach social skills via the spoken word, because it sounds just like a parent droning on about not doing this or having to do that. However, allowing each individual to experience all sides of a particular situation by playing every single role, imparts information that is rarely forgotten. It can be very stimulating and great fun.
From advising on inappropriate personal habits, telephone answering practise, job interview skills, public speaking for pupils with their eye on becoming a future politician, leader of industry or PR executive, role-play within a Theatre in Education framework can provide valuable lessons as a personal experience in a way that chalk n' talk and other conventional teaching methods never could. Add the fact that laughter is often a part of the role-play learning process - which helps make school seem like fun - creates a far kinder method of highlighting strengths and weaknesses.
Another area of Theatre in Education which involves group activity rather than one to one role-play experience, is the act of putting on a play. Whether an individual class or the whole school, cooperation on a joint endeavour like this can motivate students as it imparts knowledge in an interesting, up to your armpits way.
Putting on a play involves every interest and skill, and by giving life to words on paper, can create a rewarding experience for all. A well known tale say by Charles Dickens - whose stories possess a social conscience and tell in human terms the plight of others - or perhaps a script written by pupils and staff on the environment, or some other subject that sets people thinking, provide an excellent starting point.
Staging a play enables young people to try their hand at design, technical, craft, administration, acting, writing or directing activities. But there are more subtle ways in which putting on a play can educate, as the challenge can bond class or school together in a dangerously interesting enterprise. The adrenaline charge during the event and applause after, add to the pleasure and excitement.
Putting on a play easily diverts excess energy and disruptive tendencies into a positive undertaking. In fact the class clown is often a budding actor or comedian practising their skills.
Read much more about the role of Theatre in Education in the Prodigy books.