Theater In The Classroom: Benefits For Children

Classroom theater is one of the most valuable resources for taking your students’ overall education to the next level. It is also a way to help them learn while having fun.

Integrating drama activities into the classroom can help children develop different skills. As a result, they get the chance to explore a world of expression and creativity.

In his book Children’s Theater in Spain: A Challenge , Fernando Aleman reminds us that children’s theater and drama are often considered separate things. Despite this, it is important to remember that children’s theater is a unique and universal concept.

Dramatic play is a natural part of most children’s lives before they start school or preschool, often in the form of fantasy games. This allows them to get to know their own identities by exploring fictional situations with structures that are parallel to the real world.

What we mean by children’s theater

Children’s theater can refer both to theater performances where the children act and to those that are designed and written for children as an audience.

In this article we will talk about theater that the children themselves play. The children can take the initiative to choose which piece they want to perform, with their teachers providing support throughout the process.

The Spanish writer and screenwriter Armonía Rodríguez Lázaro reminds us that theater performed by children must always adhere to the following criteria:

• It should take place in the children’s classroom.
• All children must participate in the play.
• The children are the actors and the main characters.
• Improvisation serves as the basis for the activity.
• The teacher should guide the students while encouraging their own creativity.
• It is important that the theater is allowed to be playful in order to promote the children’s free expression.
• The lyrics should be non-theatrical.
• Music, dance and visual art are important complements to the play.

Develop skills

Children love to move and interact with others. Theater encourages them to do just that. They then not only sit quietly and listen, but can move and talk to each other.

Theater helps children develop basic skills such as creativity, exploration, communication, empathy, self-esteem, collaboration, leadership and negotiation.

Learning through theater

In the classroom, theater can be a powerful tool in many different subjects. In particular, theater helps children to develop skills such as early reading ability and to learn to write.

It also promotes oral presentation, the ability to listen and expands their vocabulary. In addition, it encourages them to understand and express different points of view.

Through theater, children learn to express their feelings in an environment created especially for them. They begin to explore their cultural values ​​and their classmates, which promotes understanding.

It is an activity that allows children to think and act creatively. It can also help develop their problem-solving abilities and it is something that can be applied in all areas of learning. In addition, it teaches them to take responsibility and make decisions.

Through theater activities, children get the chance to take an active role in learning, which they can use throughout their education. In addition, structured dramatic play is a wonderful tool for their development.