Special Focus

Special Focus - Drama

Photograph of a boy actor, with his hands on head as he says his lines
 

In 1992, in international drama circles, Scotland was the envy of the world.

What had caused the stir was the introduction of the expressive arts 5-14 curriculum. The only other country then to have national guidelines for drama was the Netherlands. It seemed that Scottish and Dutch children were privileged to receive their entitlement to drama in education.

This focus on primary drama addresses aspects of current practice in Scotland. It highlights some of the theories behind primary drama and some of the work that is being carried out by authorities across Scotland.

Drama can be seen as a creative activity in its own right with its own sets of conventions and skills that can add value to a child's educational experience. It can also provide the medium through which other parts of the curriculum can be developed.

Involvement in drama can help the building up of a child's own self-esteem, confidence and ability to deal with difficult personal and social questions. Drama can be a very powerful tool in many aspects of education.