Welcome to Seminar:

Drama and Learning

It is a happy talent to know how to play. - Ralph Waldo

Emerson

It will be helpful to have your

course books

nearby. Feel free

to chat with each other. We will begin class at 9:00PM

ET!

Seminar Agenda• Questions

• Unit 7 Project

• Drama and Learning

• Field Trip

• Final Project

Unit 7 Project

• Your project for Unit 7 will have you reflecting on how children express their creativity at each developmental stage.

• You are to choose at least two (2) age levels and write about how children express their creativity at that developmental stage in three categories: art; music and movement; and drama.

Unit 7 Project

Rubric• At least two (2) age levels were selected reflecting on how

children express their creativity at that developmental stage: 40 points

• Expression across three categories was provided: art;: 35 pointsmusic and movement: 35 pointsdrama: 35 points

• The document was written in APA Manuscript Style, included a title page, both parenthetical (in-text) citations and a reference page. The project was free of grammar, usage and spelling. Sources were properly credited: 30 points

• Total Points possible: 175

Drama and Learning

• What is creative drama? – A powerful learning medium that emerges

from the spontaneous play of young children.

– Highest level of symbolic play

– Children develop roles and language.

– Children have a natural interest in play and enjoy “acting out” events.

Drama and Learning

• How does drama match how young children learn?– Young children learn through play and

experiences within their environment.– Drama provides a connection between

language and movement, bridging the spoken word and the real thing.

– Drama provides opportunities for social interaction and feedback.

Drama and Learning

• Drama uses multisensory learning– The dramatic arts involve three of

Gardner’s intelligences:• Bodily-kinesthetic, spatial, and linguistic

– Using different intelligences makes connections between different parts of the brain and integrated thinking.

Drama and Learning

• Benefits of Creative Drama– Language Development– Extemporaneous Speaking • Selecting words, gestures, and voices they

will use as the drama is occurring.

– Social and Emotional Development– Developing Imagination

Drama and Learning

• Sociodramatic Play– The imaginative play that occurs during

the early years of a child’s life. – Children explore familiar experiences as

they take on roles, develop sequences, and use language in the activity

– Helps children to move from egocentric thinking to adjusting and adapting to others.

– Allows them to practice roles as they try to understand how the world works.

Drama and Learning

• Sociodramatic Play (continued)

– Centers are designed for children to play in for an extended period of time.

– Teacher observes and records.

– Use of thematic centers and prop boxes.

– Participation stories.

Drama and Learning

• Creative Dramatics and Play Making–Children participate by improvising,

dialog, and action.–The goal is the personal

development of the players instead of a professional performance.– It is guided by the teacher, but

seldom includes any scenery or costumes.

Drama and Learning

• Creative Dramatics (continued)–Story dramatization–Child-created plays–Puppetry–Storytelling–Children as tellers

How are sociodramatics and creative dramatics the same?

Take minute to think about this and then post your answer.

How are sociodramatics and creative dramatics different?

Take a minute to think about this and then post your answer.

After reading chapter 8, what are your thoughts on using drama in the classroom?

Do you see yourself using creative drama? Why or why not?

Check out some resources on dramatic play in our information box.

Field Trip!

Final Project• For your final project you will build a portfolio of

creative activities for children ages 0-12 and explain how each can be used in an Early Childhood Care Environment. Choose any three (3) of the following age groups and find 5 activities that will nurture and encourage the creativity of that particular age group and explain how it can be used in the classroom.

– 6 Weeks to 1 Year– 2 – 4 Years– 5 – 7 Years– 8 – 10 Years– 10 – 12 Years

Final Project• Each activity should have an APA citation noting its source.• Your explanations should be written in complete sentences

and organized into paragraphs .  Be sure to adhere to the 'Online Communication Guidelines' found in the Course Home Section. The Portfolio should also include:– A title page– A References page in APA format

• What is the difference in the relationship between process and product as they relate to creativity?

• Be sure to check out Doc Sharing and the Webliography and add documents and sites that you find interesting or think will be helpful.

Final ProjectA portfolio of creative activities for children ages 0-12 was created. • Three (3) of the following age groups were selected:

6 weeks-1 year , 2-4 years, 5–7 years, 8–10 years, 10–12 years: 30 points• An explanation was provided for how each activity can be used in an early

childhood care environment: 30 points• Why these activities should be included in these lessons was discussed: 30 points• Six (6) activities that will nurture and encourage the creativity of each of the three

age groups were selected for each age group: 75 points• An explanation of how it will be used in the classroom was provided. Your

explanations should be written in complete sentences and organized into paragraphs: 40 points

• A connection to the relevant learning theory that corresponded to each activity was made: 30 points

• Each activity has the source noted. A citation in APA format for the source was given on the references page. The project was free of spelling and grammatical errors. The portfolio included a title page and a reference page in APA format: 30 points

• Total Points possible: 265 points

Weekly Reminders

• Complete reading

• Post your answer to our discussion board question and respond to several of your classmates’ posts

• Get started on the final project.

ReferencesIsbell, R.T. and Raines, S. C. (2007).

Creativity and the Arts with Young Children. Thomson Delmar Learning.