The Importance of Speech and Drama for 7 to 10 Year Olds

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The Importance of Speech and Drama for 7 to 10 Year Olds “Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.” (Margaret Mead) Speech and drama is an activity that does just that. Children who engage in speech and drama are instilled with a variety of different skills and techniques that they can apply to different aspects of their lives as they so choose. Speech and drama aims to introduce children to literature, including many of the beautiful classics. It builds on the overall development of the child and also gives them a passion and understanding of the English language. It is through the use of poetry, prose and drama that a teacher can encourage children to share and present their ideas, which builds on the confidence and self-esteem of each individual child. "Play is what we want to do. Work is what we have to do." (W. H. Auden) Poetry is both of those things. Robert Frost defined poetry as "serious play." Poetry is an essential part of speech and drama and has the liveliest use of language. A poem is very different to ordinary text. When a poem is read, it is read with both the eye and ear. Poems are a prime source of stories and hold children’s attention both through the story itself and the form. Rhyme and rhythm appeal to children. They love rhyming words and the rhythms that accompany them. From a young age children are introduced to nursery rhymes and these show them the magic of words. Little Miss Muffet. She sat on a tuffet, Eating her curds and whey; There came a great spider, Who sat down beside her And frightened Miss Muffet away. Poetry is important in language development because rhyming words help children to remember new word and they will pay attention to the sounds of the words. Although a child might not know what a “tuffet” is, they will remember and like it because in the nursery rhyme it

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