"Drama ... can develop the whole person—emotionally, physically, intellectually, imaginatively, aesthetically and socially—by giving form and meaning to experience through acting out. It fosters positive group interaction as students learn to make accommodations in order to pursue shared goals." Alberta Education Fine Arts Program of Studies
Importance of Improvisation
Drama is a form of expression and of art, which allows for connection and the chance to convey meaningful messages through emotion and acting. It also helps to convey the intricacies of the human condition, fostering a sense of empathy and relativity.
I have provided a series of videos that emphasize the importance of improvisation, and overall the importance of drama in Education.
IMPORTANCE OF PLAY IN FOSTERING CREATIVE EXPRESSION
After reviewing several sources for what play is defined as, I summarize that play is an act of doing something without a purpose and without supervision. Ultimately, play allows an individual to make real decisions about a (sometimes) impossible situation. For example, when playing with children, we suspend our disbelief in what we know to be make-believe, so that toys are personified, impossible situations become possible. Play can also be defined as several things, one of them being "a dramatic composition" (Merriam Webster). Based on this definition of play, drama can be considered a medium for fostering creative expression. In a play, individuals are bringing themselves and their experience into another universe and time-dimension, applying what they know to bring a certain character to life. Plays can sometimes have the intention to imitate real-life, allowing the audience to engage and connect with the content seen on-stage.
Below are a series of links to resources supporting the notion that play fosters creative expression, and that drama can be seen as a type of play. Based on these findings, I argue that drama greatly aids in building the necessary skills to thrive as a contributing member of society.
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Videos
Importance of Play
Podcasts
The Importance of Play - Dr. Jenn and Dr. Sarine
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Allows kids to work on their executive functions, such as problem solving and spatial awareness
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Gives additional insight to the child's mind and ways of figuring the world out
Unstructured Play - 7 Minutes on Earth
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Time for unstructured play develops greatness - allows individuals to think out of the box
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Stems back to childhood - being forced to play as a child allowed individuals such as Wayne Gretzky to apply their creative skills to their adult life
The Importance of Play - The Early Years Podcast
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Children practice cognitive, communicative, and social emotional skills when engaged in play
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Play helps build relationships, competency and mastery
Free and Unstructured Play - The Day Camp Pod
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Turning the responsibility of the fun-creation over to the kids allows them to engage their creativity and develop certain parts of their brain
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What can be done to a "boring activity" to make it more fun? Kids must be involved in transforming the activity