The revised second edition of this practical manual is filled with easy-to-follow exercises and activities designed to facilitate creative drama sessions for people with learning difficulties. The activities in this book bring together music, theatre, movement and storytelling to not only develop fun and engaging group sessions, but to build confidence, increase self-esteem, and develop social and emotional awareness in group members. Highly sensitive to the range of learning needs and physical abilities of group members, the activities have been created to be engaging for a broad range of individuals regardless of age and ability, and can be adapted for use in a multitude of sectors such as education, psychology and speech and language therapy. Key features of this edition include: • New chapters exploring mindfulness, and the importance of reflection • Fully photocopiable resources including a session notes template to evaluate the impact of the creative drama group and collect useful data for the writing of reports • Activities organised around key elements of creative drama, such as sensory work, life skills role-play, improvisation and de-roling With its wealth of guidance, practical and adaptable activities and easy-to- follow structure, this is an invaluable resource for anybody leading or supporting children, young people and adults in creative drama.

This practical manual is for anyone who has the opportunity of facilitating creative drama for people with learning disabilities.Other basic principles of working, different approaches to drama and specific structures that can be easily used.Demonstrates how creative drama can deliver many benefits to both individuals and groups including increased tolerance and respect, enhancing self esteem and developing social skills.Includes many easy-to-follow exercises and photocopiable activities that can be used with every group.

The revised second edition of this practical manual is filled with easy-to-follow exercises and activities designed to facilitate creative drama sessions for people with learning difficulties. The activities in this book bring together music, theatre, movement and storytelling to not only develop fun and engaging group sessions, but to build confidence, increase self-esteem, and develop social and emotional awareness in group members. Highly sensitive to the range of learning needs and physical abilities of group members, the activities have been created to be engaging for a broad range of individuals regardless of age and ability, and can be adapted for use in a multitude of sectors such as education, psychology and speech and language therapy. Key features of this edition include: • New chapters exploring mindfulness, and the importance of reflection • Fully photocopiable resources including a session notes template to evaluate the impact of the creative drama group and collect useful data for the writing of reports • Activities organised around key elements of creative drama, such as sensory work, life skills role-play, improvisation and de-roling With its wealth of guidance, practical and adaptable activities and easy-to- follow structure, this is an invaluable resource for anybody leading or supporting children, young people and adults in creative drama.

This bestselling book is now updated with new material and more tried-and-tested ideas, bringing it up-to-date with contemporary drama. 150 ideas for drama in one practical manual makes this a veritable treasure trove which will inspire everyone to run drama sessions creatively, enjoyably and effectively. This book features advice on setting up a group, defining and negotiating aims and objectives, and how to ensure a successful session. It contains activities which encourage memory, interaction, concentration, feedback, and many other skills. It also includes games, warm-ups and starters, improvisation role-play, visual dynamics, and closures.

This is a handbook for teachers and facilitators working with people with learning disabilities who are interested in creative expression through drama. Based on their considerable experience working with the Strathcona Theatre Company, Ian McCurrach and Barbara Darnley have created a step-by-step guide to running a drama group.

Aimed at professionals working with children with special needs, this title covers the spectrum of students attending special need schools, including those with attention deficit disorder, autism and Asperger's syndrome. Crimmens places methods of using therapeutic storymaking, within the context of drama therapy.

This hands-on manual offers a clear introduction to play and drama work for professionals working with adults at risk. Many adults feel nervous about drama and think that play is childish. Sue Jennings shows that by participating in play and drama people can make a difference to how they feel about themselves and the world around them. This book is suitable for professionals working with adults who are vulnerable for a number of different reasons: those who have addictions such as eating disorders, drug and alcohol abuse or a history of violent relationships; adults with mental ill health; individuals and families with behavioural difficulties; people in forensic settings; those with multiple disabilities; learning impaired adults; people with strokes and other physical impairment often as a result of accidental injury. Material is chosen sensitively to enable confidence and creativity building, and the development of communication skills. Photocopiable worksheets offer the professional activities that will encourage trust and collaboration; foster independence and choice, maximise people's learning potential and stimulate everyone's imagination and creativity. Ideas are given for improvisation and movement as well as masks and myths. Cross-cultural perspectives are discussed together with boundaries for clinical groups. The importance of the healing potential of artistic expression is addressed throughout.

Introducing drama to the learning experience is guaranteed to enrich a child's development, and is an especially effective approach for children with special educational needs, including those with autism spectrum disorders. This practical handbook offers teachers an array of simple and easy-to-implement theatrical techniques that will enhance students' learning and encourage artistic expression. The author demonstrates how dramatic play doesn't have to be restricted to drama lessons and can be applied to a diverse range of school subjects and recreational settings. 'The Little Red Hen', for example, covers themes that are relevant to literacy (rhyming and rhythm), maths (counting seeds), science (discussing farming), and art lessons (designing costumes). Step-by-step lesson plans take teachers through every aspect of running fun and engaging story dramas, including warm ups, movement, songs and props. Handy tips throughout suggest ideas for developing the plays further and ways to adapt them according to the needs of the group. This book will be an essential and comprehensive guide for anyone interested in drama as an educational tool in inclusive or special needs settings.

The social work degree requires that students clearly demonstrate competence in working with groups. Many social work students will begin working with families, communities and organisations before they qualify and are regularly assessed on this groupwork practice through assignments and observation. Specialist skills are needed to cope in challenging groups and the authors look at how students can develop their existing skills to cope and respond to challenges. The practical focus of this book on planning, organising, facilitating and evaluating groupwork will help students to develop their skills and pass assessment, increasing confidence during placement groupwork activities. A practical and accessible textbook, Groupwork Practice in Social Work is essential reading to help students through their complex and challenging Groupwork assessments. Key updates: New material on working with service user groups New material for students who are being assessed in a group Updated case studies This book is in the Transforming Social Work Practice series. All books in the series are affordable, mapped to the Social Work Curriculum, practical with clear links between theory & practice and written to the Professional Capabilities Framework.

Balancing theory with practice, the author explores the multidisciplinary potential of dramatherapy and considers the fruitful incorporation of elements of music, movement, design, story and performance into therapy with clients with learning disabilities. She examines the question of why dramatherapy is of such value with this client group, and also provides an action-based guide to its use in both one-to-one and group situations using case-history examples of technique.