WHAT WE NEED
Early years education has long lasting impacts on the wellbeing and life opportunities of a child, and is considered by researchers to be crucial in the formation of a child’s intelligence, personality and social behaviours. Research proves that education during early years of development has long term impacts on the development of the child.
A good education should therefore provide opportunities for young people to develop physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. Children should have access to resources and activities which foster confidence and growth in a host of skills, including communication, problem solving, cooperation and negotiation, self awareness and self-regulation.
WHAT WE GET
One of the first things our current education system does, to children, is to divorce “work time” from “play time”. Work time in school is predominantly serious, adult led, often silent, and primarily about the retention of knowledge; playtime in school is about letting off steam and giving teachers and students a mini-break from what is seen as “more important” work activities. (you can read more about that in this article).
Increasingly, over the last decade, the “knowledge rich” curriculum has gained momentum. Some prominent educators talk enthusiastically of “cramming” and “stuffing” children with knowledge. Arts activities have been sidelined, and arts subjects slashed. The time students now spend in “exam preparation” classes has dramatically increased; it is now common for students to attend extra exam classes during their Easter holidays, ahead of upcoming GCSEs and A-Levels.
HOW DRAMA WORKS
Children’s creative play, based on their own original ideas, promotes creative discoveries and knowledge about an array of subjects. Play puts the child central to their learning, and active in the learning process. Exciting, relevant activities motivate the learner, and provide long term memory retention, through a multisensory approach (audio, visual, kinaesthetic). Play gives young people the opportunity to explore and examine social roles, social responsibilities and social dilemmas.
Through drama, young people can explore and express feelings in a healthy manner. Drama improves the child’s imagination, and promotes independent thinking and action. Participation in drama boosts students’ social and personal intelligence. Children develop skills in communication, problem solving, cooperation and negotiation, self awareness and self-regulation.
EXPERTS IN PLAY
Every child is an expert in play. We know the vital importance of creative play; we know it is the way children learn instinctively, and the way we learn most effectively. We know creative play motivates and inspires us. The insights and memories it gives us are deep and enduring.
Yet sadly, as we grow up, we spend less and less time being creative putting our imaginations to use. In the 21st century, the opportunities and spaces for young people to play are rapidly disappearing. Play is rarely welcome in the classroom, and play is hardly encouraged in the workplace.
Let’s bring back those opportunities to young people’s lives; let’s put creative play at the heart of all their activities; and let’s give young people the confidence and the skills to keep playing and keep learning, throughout their lives.
