Author: Admin

*This article was written by Suzy Duxbury for ABC Sussex Magazine (and published March 2024)

In today’s fast paced, ever-changing world, it’s a challenge for educators to know how to best prepare children for the future workplace. Whether it’s the threat of global warming or the impact of AI, the world is evolving faster than ever before.  

At this year’s World Economic Forum, it was reported that up to a quarter of jobs are expected to change within the next five years alone (with 69 million new jobs created and 83 million eliminated). In a future workplace that is becoming harder to predict, a huge emphasis is now being placed on the importance of creativity.  

And yet, in a landmark report (entitled The State of Creativity) published earlier this year, it was said that creativity “seems to have been all but expunged from the school curriculum in England”.  

So, what is creativity, why is it important and how can parents and educators encourage it? 

To take the dictionary definition, creativity is “the use of imagination or original ideas to create something”. It’s also been explained as “the ability to think about a task or a problem in a new or different way”. Ultimately, creativity is the cornerstone of human progress, and its roots often trace back to childhood. 

Encouraging creativity in children is not just about fostering artistic expression; it’s about cultivating the essential skills and mindset that will shape them into innovative thinkers and problem-solvers in the future.  

One of the best ways to develop creativity is through pretend play. This is something that comes naturally to children, but which can be better harnessed within the structured environment of a drama class and the experience of a professional teacher. 

Here are a few of the skills that children develop through pretend play which are vital for success in whatever career path they choose…    

Critical Thinking 
Creativity and critical thinking go hand in hand. When children are encouraged to think outside the box, they learn to question, analyse, and evaluate information from different perspectives. These critical thinking skills are invaluable in navigating the complexities of life and future careers. During drama classes, children are often required to create or interpret scripts. Whether developing a storyline or working out how to portray a character convincingly, they are challenged to think critically and solve problems creatively.  

Confidence and Self-Esteem 
Creativity provides a platform for self-expression, allowing children to discover and celebrate their unique abilities. Performing in front of others and having their ideas acknowledged and appreciated, boosts their confidence and self-esteem. This positive reinforcement lays the foundation for a resilient and self-assured individual who is not afraid to take risks and explore new possibilities.   

Ability to Innovate 
The ability to innovate is a key driver of progress in any field. By encouraging creativity in children, we lay the groundwork for the next generation of innovators. Creative thinkers are more likely to develop unconventional solutions to challenges, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and driving society forward. Improvisational exercises, a common component of drama, push children to think on their feet and find innovative solutions to unexpected situations.  

Adaptability 
The world is constantly changing, and adaptability is a crucial skill for success. Creativity teaches children to embrace change and view challenges as opportunities for growth. During drama classes they often have to adapt and find creative solutions. Whether it’s re-organising a scene that wasn’t quite working or stepping in to read someone else’s part because a classmate is sick, children develop resilience and a positive attitude towards uncertainty.  

Collaboration and Communication 
Creativity often thrives in collaborative environments. When children engage in creative activities together, they learn to communicate their ideas effectively, listen to others, and work as a team. These social skills are not only essential for personal relationships but also for success in the workplace where collaboration is increasingly valued. Many drama activities involve collaboration, with children working together to explore characters, create storylines, and deliver performances.  

A Love of Learning 
Encouraging creativity in children instils a love for learning that extends beyond the classroom. When learning is associated with exploration, discovery, and creative expression (as it is in drama classes) children develop a curiosity that stays with them throughout their lives. This curiosity becomes the driving force behind continuous learning and personal growth.  

In a rapidly changing world, fostering creativity is an investment in the future. By providing opportunities for creative expression, children are equipped with the skills and mindset necessary to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. Creativity is vital for both their future career aspirations, and the future of the world. 

To read the article in ABC Magazine, CLICK HERE, and go to page 52.

Here at Dramatis, we harness the power of Pretend Play to help children develop emotional and social life skills.

We usually do this during our weekly classes and holiday workshops but we also offer FREE one-hour drama workshops to schools and youth organisations in the local area. 

Last month, we were excited to partner with Bishop Tuffnell CE Primary School in Bognor Regis, to run workshops for their Year 3, Year 4 and Year 6 class groups.  

Our School Workshops use drama games and exercises to bring educational topics to life in a fun and engaging way. Bishop Tuffnell’s Head of History, Charlotte Richardson, was keen to find a creative way to introduce pupils to the historical topics they were studying this term. 

We therefore tailored our usual workshop plans to incorporate their topics. As with our classes, all our workshops include an Icebreaker Game, a Drama Exercise (focused on learning about a specific skill) and finally a Devised Scene (in which children are given 3 stimuli to create their own totally unique scene).

During our Year 3 workshop, we explored the Romans. For our Icebreaker Game we played ‘Legionnaire Shuffle’ where children were given a role in the Roman Army (Medicus, Centurion or Legionnaire) and had to run to their bases as their roles were called out.

The children did a brilliant job and we were particularly taken by the way they really entered into their roles coming up with their own take on what life would have been like in the Barracks and inventing their own ways of training (such as weight lifting rocks!)

Our Year 4 workshop, focused on the Egyptians. Our Drama Exercise focused on Tableaux (“living pictures”). Children created different Tableaux’s depicting key moments to the lead up of Harold Carter discovering Tutankhamun’s tomb (from his arrival in Egypt and 5 years of excavating, to the rumours that started circulating and the eventual discovery). 

It was wonderful to see the Year 4’s embrace the workshop and their excitement when taking on the role of excavators and archaeologists!

In our Year 6 workshop, we turned our attentions to WW2. For their Devised Scene pupils were given a setting (and told they were part of a small family in Arras the night before a suspected German invasion). They were told to include in their scene a plan for what they are going to do (would they hide, fight, run away or wait and see what fate had in store for them?). Pupils were also told they needed to end their scene with the line “Let’s go to bed and talk about it in the morning”.

The Year 6 devised scenes were particularly poignant and it was beautiful to watch their responses to the stimuli.

We had some lovely feedback from both pupils and teachers including: 

“It was really fun, I liked making up stories about being in the army and talking tactics“
Jessie (Year 3 pupil) 

“I learnt who discovered the tomb, I didn’t know they searched for 5 years”
Lukas (Year 4 pupil) 

“I really felt like I was there. I was a shoe maker and I could imagine what it was like to not have any business”
Toby (Year 6 pupil) 

“It is so nice to have the opportunity to do this. The children don’t get a lot of time to just be freely creative like this”. 
Year 6 Teacher 

“We were so impressed with Suzanna in our History drama sessions at Bishop Tufnell Primary School. She really helped to bring the Romans and Egyptians alive for Year 3 and 4 children , and to help our year 6s empathise with people in a WW2 aid raid. Children loved the opportunity for active learning and enjoyed becoming the historical figures they had been learning about. We are really grateful to Suzanna for introducing a new, creative way to bring History alive for our children.”
Mrs Richardson, Year 5 Year Group Representative

A few photos of the Workshops can be seen below. If you’re a teacher keen to add a creative activity to your lessons which will help bring your curriculum to life, take a look at our SCHOOL WORKSHOP page or get in touch with us on info@dramatis.co.uk.