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In her Exchange article, "Helping Teachers Become Comfortable With Creative Dramatics," Naomi Leithold presents ideas on using creative dramatics in the classroom after sharing these thoughts on why it is important:

"Helping children to build a positive self-concept is an important goal of any early childhood program. Body awareness, an understanding of how the body works, and comfort in moving your body are integral parts of a good self-image. Dramatic representation requires children to control their bodies, twisting and turning, to become something or someone else. As they take on these new roles, they are able to express themselves through both nonverbal and verbal communication. This additional mode of communication is often helpful for young children who tend to be more physical in their approach to life....

"Dramatic experiences offer another method for teaching early childhood concepts. Opposites, feelings, animals, movements, and modes of transportation are a few of the themes that can easily be introduced through creative dramatics. Pre-literacy skills are also greatly augmented by dramatic representation. When a story from a book or a story authored by a child is acted out, reading takes on a new meaning. Physical movement brings objects into a different dimension, one that is more easily understood by young children, who tend to be concrete in their thinking. Nonverbal communication also bridges the language barrier. Balls bounce up and down, no matter what language you are speaking. This additional learning tool is an advantage for meeting the differing needs and learning styles of all children."

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The article, "Helping Teachers Become Comfortable with Creative Dramatics," is included in the Exchange “Curriculum Tool Kit.” This kit packages together the following Exchange curriculum resources and is offered at a 33% discount:

• Beginnings Workshops Book #4 - Curriculum: Brain Research, Math, Science
• Beginnings Workshops Book #5 - Curriculum: Art, Music, Movement, Drama
• Hearing Everyone’s Voice: Educating Young Children for Peace and a Democratic Community
• Connecting: Friendship in the Lives of Young Children
• More Than Numbers: Mathematical Thinking in the Early Years
• Exchange Articles Collection #3 - Children with Differing Abilities
• Out of the Box Training Kit (printed version): Recognizing the Essentials of Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum

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