Parent Magazine St. Johns September 2019 | Page 14

Build Self-Confident Children:
Add a Little Drama to Your Lives
By Jan Pierce, M.Ed.
T
he world of drama in all its different forms is a
great tool for building expressive, self-confident
children. There are lots of ways to incorporate
creative drama games and activities in your own home.
And…it’s a ton of fun.
Why Drama?
My grandson is a quiet child who loves nothing more
than to find a quiet spot alone so he can read. He
is kind and gracious to others and quick to forgive.
This sensitive child got the lead in his small town’s
production of an off-Broadway play. The role required
great acting, but in addition, dancing and…singing!
I was the proudest Grandma around when he belted
out the biggest number of the evening like a rock
star. Later I asked him how he felt when he did that
number. His simple answer was, “Confident.” Drama
can do wonders for shy children. It can help them break
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through personal barriers and become brave. I saw it
with my own eyes.
The Benefits
Kids love to pretend. Kids love to move their bodies.
Voila! Drama incorporates both of these child-friendly
activities. Here are some of the benefits of introducing
creative drama activities into your family’s fun times:
• Creative drama is a great tool for teaching content in
other subject areas. Learning about the rainforest?
Try some movement games to enhance the
understanding of jungle animals. Learning about
Shakespeare? Try writing a simple play based on the
story of Romeo and Juliet (and act it out).
• Creative drama stimulates creativity and self-
expression. It encourages children to get outside
their own “selves” and try something new. It