Drama as a process-centred form is a popular and valued methodology used to develop thinking and learning in children, while theatre provides a greater focus on the element of performance. In recent years, offering drama and theatre as a shared experience is increasingly used to engage children and to facilitate learning in a drama classroom. Using drama and theatre as a central component with children, this book is an amalgamation of theory, research and practice from across the globe offering insights into differing educational contexts. Chapters provide an exploration of the methodologies and techniques used to improve drama in the curriculum, and highlight the beneficial impact drama has in a variety of classrooms, enriching learning and communication. Contributions from 17 authors, ranging from teachers in schools or universities, to researchers and drama practitioners, examine a variety of perspectives related to drama and children in an attempt to bridge gaps and move ahead collectively as educators, practitioners and researchers in drama and theatre. Divided into two parts, Part I reflects on the use of drama in its varied forms with children, while Part II focuses on projects and experiments with children using theatre in order to draw links between drama, theatre and pedagogy. Drama and Theatre with Children will be key reading for researchers, academics and postgraduate students in the fields of drama education, theatre education, curriculum studies and child development. The book will also be of interest to drama practitioners, school teachers and teacher training leaders.

One of the world's leading children's dramatists provides a practical handbook of the skills involved in entertaining and involving audiences of children. A marvelous contribution to the world of Youth Theater...a must. —Robyn Flatt, Dallas Children's Theater. He has often been called the National Playwright for Children and he deserves it. —Cameron Mackintosh

Theatre was made for children. With their fertile imaginations and their honest ability to be carried away by a story, they are the best audiences that directors, actors, and playwrights could ever hope to encounter. They also represent the future of the arts. Theatre for Children is a collection of new and classic plays for children. Adapted from some of the most beloved stories in children's literature, such as Roald Dahl's The Witches, The Great Gilly Hopkins, and Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, as well as original plays, this anthology brings together new and overlooked plays that children are sure to love. Theatre for Children is an invaluable resource for directors, teachers, and students of theatre. Foreword Country Mouse and the Missing Lunch Mystery by Sandra Fenichel Asher Ernie's Incredible Illucinations by Alan Ayckbourn Two Donuts by Jose Cruz González Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Timothy Mason and Mel Marvin A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas by Laurie Brooks Braille: The Early Life of Louis Braille by Lola H. and Coleman A. Jennings Bless Cricket, Crest Toothpaste, and Tommy Tune by Linda Daugherty The Great Gilly Hopkins by David Paterson and Steve Liebman The Witches by David Wood Mississippi Pinocchio by Mary Surface and David Maddox The Wolf and Its Shadows by Sandra Fenichel Asher Ezigbo, The Spirit Child by Max Bush and Adaora Nzelibe Schmiedl Inuk and the Sun by Henry Beissel A Village Fable by James Still The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Y York

A fun, dynamic form of play, drama games help children explore their imaginations and discover their own creativity. By improvising a wide variety of scenes and situations, participants learn to express themselves physically and emotionally while gaining increased awareness of the feelings and experiences of others. Drama games also offer a wealth of possibilities for all kinds of group and educational play. The games can be led by parents, teachers, camp leaders, day-care providers and other group leaders. Participants gain as much as they contribute, and the games change every time they are played. A follow-up to the popular 101 Drama Games for Children, this book contains completely different games to take children's imaginations -- and those of their leaders -- in countless new directions. Book jacket.

Packed full of drama games, ideas and suggestions, Drama Menu is a unique new resource for drama teachers.

Dramatherapy with Children, Young People and Schools is the first book to specifically evaluate the unique value of dramatherapy in the educational environment. A variety of highly experienced dramatherapists, educational psychologists and childhood experts discuss the benefits to the children and young people, and also in relation to the involvement of teachers, the multi-disciplinary team and families. This professional book offers a panoramic view to explain how through dramatherapy children and young people develop their communication skills, sociability and their actual desire to learn. Detailed case studies demonstrate individual successes in youngsters experiencing a range of emotional difficulties and psychological needs. These studies include: conquering a fear of maths; violent behaviour transformed into educational achievement; safe expression of feelings for a sexually abused child; and where children are diagnosed with mental health disorders such as ADHD and ODD, where the benefits of dramatherapy with children and families are carefully described and evaluated, suggesting that this therapeutic discipline can achieve positive outcomes. The practical advice and inspirational results included here promote a future direction of integration and collaboration of school staff, multi-disciplinary teams and families. Education and equality are high on the agenda, and the function of dramatherapy is not just as a treatment, but as an economically viable and valuable preventive therapy.

This book is a journey into the dual territory of educational and theatrical settings. It advances the knowledge in these settings by touching upon provocative questions, by dealing with the limitations and challenging the new possibilities of theatre for young people. It is an attempt to bring intellectual rigor and some theoretical perspectives drawn from recent theatre and aesthetic theory to the field of theatre for young people.