The essential nature of drama is a liberating act of imagination, of self-transcendence. A session is described in which the class maintained the delicate balance of dual consciousness and focused its attention and empathy on an illusory but possible world, creating and being responsible for the meaning of its construction. (MT)

At a summer program designed to create a purpose for writing, 18 children moved from everyday language to diction appropriate to monks experiencing a significant moment in communal life. Scribes copied the children's words in a careful italic hand, providing pressure for even more precise diction and dignity of language. (MT)

Reading and drama are closely related in the learning process, interacting to develop the same personal resources in the child, building links between print and experience, dream and reality, self and other. The pressure and authenticity of the drama can help children create new knowledge and make different and necessary connections. (MT)

Discusses the "socio-play" philosophy of drama education as practiced in the Soviet Union. Outlines the basic structure of the Soviet educational system. Recounts a Soviet educator's practice of socio-play philosophy. (SR)

Hawaii's Young Playwrights Workshop is a place for students willing to explore new worlds with discipline, self-reliance, and creativity. In the Workshop, students discover their own way of creating plays. The article explains how the teacher encourages students to be creative, letting go of preconceived ideas about writing. (SM)

Explores the benefits and hazards of staging simulated news incidents in the classroom to teach journalism students the need to maintain a professional stance at all times. (HTH)

Advocates encouraging children to write about what they know best--the rich fantasy worlds they create in play. (Author)

Discusses youth theater in India, especially the programs for children in slum colonies and schools, as well as those for elitist children. Describes a "caravan" of 100-200 artists, educators, children, and book vendors who encourage young people to ask questions and read books. Includes an account of teacher workshops and an informal…

Provides specific steps and techniques for teaching and using creative dramatics in elementary school classrooms. Notes that creative dramatics address children's powerful emotions and imaginations, which children rely on to explore and understand the world. Discusses four necessary components of creative dramatics--structure, open-endedness, a…

Explores how child care providers can use outdoor activities to enhance young children's cognitive, social, emotional, and motor development. Discusses surveying the outdoor play space, using outdoor prop boxes, planting a garden, and reflecting on outdoor experiences after moving indoors. Includes list of sample outdoor play materials and sample…

The early years are a time of joy and a period of great learning for young children. They are beginning to interact with print and experience the delights of being read to. This article presents the experiences of a kindergarten teacher during her class' independent reading time. Aside from just plain fun, children can acquire a wide range of…

A large body of research documents the positive impact of sociodramatic play on children's language development. Through the social interaction that takes place during sociodramatic play, children develop the ability to express thoughts in a logical sequence, share ideas about events in which there is not shared context, and develop vocabulary.…

In order to influence motivation and children's creativity, some attractive methods were introduced into the classical contents of the usual program of material (Serbocroatian) language and literature and other subjects in the curriculum planned for the third grade. Work on a tale was carried out in an atmosphere of slightly transformed space in…

An historical, philosophical, and methodological overview of the Dartmouth/Rassias model of foreign language instruction is presented. The model, first developed by John Rassias at Dartmouth College, is an intensive adaptation of the traditional audiolingual approach. Great use is made of dramatic techniques to motivate students and help them…

Focuses on the use of children's literature in the treatment of child abuse, a method referred to as bibliotherapy. Describes children's books that can be used in this approach and presents suggestions for follow-up activities. (NH)