DOING DRAMA WITH CHILDREN

Create an environment of disciplined play. Everyone can participate as collaborators with what goes on during each session. This is always risky. There are a variety of ways to go about including all children in a given activity.

Tell stories and act them out. Tell the story imaginatively -
· use different voices for various characters;
· dwell on descriptive phrases;
· focus especially on action verbs that tell what is being done as the plot progresses.

Ask questions about the story.
· Is there a better way to voice certain characters?
· What happened in certain parts of the story?
· Who did what where and why?
· Draw a picture of what you imagined while listening.

If a verbally-oriented activity puts off certain children,
· arrange the activity so that it can be done in pairs or groups of three;
· go to each group during the course of the activity;
· observe as non-obtrusively as possible.

Most participation happens when the activity requires minimal verbalization.

Build trust with the children. All participants must feel safe in exploring performative activities. There are many instances when one risks going beyond one's comfort zone. Force no one to perform, though everyone is expected participate at least as a supportive audience member. A playful atmosphere allows trying things with one another and in front of one another that probably would have not been possible to do otherwise.

Remain aware of how each child is responding to the on-going activity. Keep sensitive to possible reasons for one's reluctance to participate. Each child is unique in how he or she chooses to participate – some who are more active give energy to the group; those who are more passive may provide perspective through observation.

Do all this collaboratively; in other words, play with one another!