A question we often get asked is “Will my child fit in and benefit from Speech and Drama?”
The answer in one word…. YES.
Children learn through creative play and each week they perform their confidence grows little by little. Their classmates enjoy their performance and each child often receives warm applause and great laughter for a funny line or moment during improvisation.
This supports their self-esteem and confidence. It can also ease tensions in the school classroom; some children fear reading aloud when called upon, or the stress of relaying learned homework can be a worry.
Speech and Drama can help soothe this stress and worry can become a challenge they relish instead. Many children have issues with their speech and find it tricky to “just say” the ‘correct’ word, this alone can knock their confidence. Speech and drama teaches them to articulate and project through fun tongue twisters which they love.
Children enjoy progression through speech and drama grade examinations as they master new skills expressing themselves through storytelling, poetry and drama in an informal setting.
Teamwork and friends
Speech and drama promotes teamwork, concentration, listening, critical thinking and problem solving skills as well as, self-awareness – crucial for our children’s emotional development. Encourage your child to navigate our new normal with the gift of performance fun, while layering their learning in a creative way.
One positive aspect of speech and drama is the space it creates for new friendships and bonds to grow. Students bond as the nature of teambuilding ensemble work and rehearsals offer them the opportunity to form happy alliances every term. This is another way it promotes your child’s well-being and self-worth.
Team spirit is created through ensemble work and this encourages children to further explore the world around them through performance. Appreciation of literature and the arts is fostered through exposure and performance.
Children are exposed to Shakespeare early and they discuss poetry so naturally this supports their English in secondary school. Primary school children are exposed to new texts and learn to read aloud with confidence. The fact that classes complement both primary and secondary national curriculum is a bonus.
Communication skills and storytelling
As children listen to each other’s ideas and storytelling and learn to develop stories working collectively they are enhancing their vocabulary, analytical and critical skills and developing concentration: a vital skill for life within and beyond the classroom.
Students explore expression verbally using different voices and tones, and through facial expressions and body language as they tell stories, recite poetry or read from their favourite book. So they enhance their communication skills and vocabulary seamlessly.
Children learn the world around them through stories and exploring the ideas they raise.
In our younger classes we use interesting, educational books to springboard ideas, lead discussions, explore vocabulary and embed the learning through improvisation.
Supports emotional wellbeing
Through acting as different characters, children fine tune their emotions. Children can assert their true feelings or sense of personality without fear of being judged or criticized. They can solve personal dilemmas while in character supporting their emotional well-being.
