Children use pretend play to understand the world by assuming roles and arranging objects. Theatre in schools provides an outlet for emotions, challenges perceptions, and teaches tolerance. It also improves communication, creativity, discipline, and reinforces other subjects. Research shows arts education motivates students and helps those struggling academically. Art and music therapy use non-verbal forms of expression to process information and communicate for those with developmental disabilities. They encourage self-discovery, confidence, and empowerment.

2. • Children use pretend “Tell me and I will forget.
play to make sense of Show me and I will remember.
the world and what they Involve me and I will
observe in their understand.”
environment. Chinese Proverb
• They assume roles and
arrange space and
objects.

3. Provides students with an outlet for emotions, thoughts, and
dreams they may otherwise not be able to express.
safe atmosphere where actions and consequences are
examined and discussed.
Challenge student’s perceptions about their world and
themselves.

4. • Develop Tolerance and
Empathy
– Acting enables one to
see the world through
another’s eyes, need to
be able to understand
their POV
• Teaching working together
(cooperating and
contributing to the group,
listening to peers, team-
oriented)

5. • Current research shows that students who receive an arts
education are more motivated to learn – and stay in school
longer. The arts also provide avenues of achievement for
students who might otherwise not be successful in school.
The Importance of Children's Theatre in Elementary Schools by Jim Giles

6. Stimulates creativity in
problem solving
Advance
Communication skills
Less likely to have
difficulty speaking in
public and are more
persuasive in
arguments.

7. Self Control and Discipline
(necessary in all arts)
Reinforces other school
curriculum
Understand ideas in
history and current
events
Understand the way
human beings interact

9. • American Alliance for Theatre and Education
http://www.aate.com/index.htm
• Educational Theatre Association http://www.etassoc.org/
• Why Teach Drama? A Defense of the
Crafthttp://www.childdrama.com/why.html

11. • What is it?
– A form of psychotherapy that encourages self-expression
through painting or drawing.
• Music therapy vs. art therapy
– Music: relies on improvisatory and interactive musical
experiences that incorporate rhythm, melody, and
harmony. Music is processed by both brain hemispheres
and physically stimulates sensory and emotional systems.
– Art: creates an environment in which crucial
developmental stages can be naturally promoted through
the creative process of art and music.

12. Leads to changes in how an individual with developmental
disabilities processes information.
Provides an avenue of expression for the minds of those who
may not be skilled enough to verbalize their thoughts.
• The child experiences the comfort of discovering a sense of
self that he may not have previously experienced.
• these students can be given a way to communicate to others,
have confidence in their own ideas, understand emotions,
finish projects, Improve their fine-motor skills, problem solve,
appreciate the beauty around them, and grow in ways that
will empower them throughout their life.

13. • results in a greater level of expression and creativity within
art, delivering a therapeutic benefit to the individual.
• children are encouraged to visually represent their thoughts
and feelings, such as conflicts, wishes, and memories.
Utilizing their artwork and verbalizations, they are helped to
understand how they function as individuals and as part of a
family and group system

14.  Art activities should
 Be a structured activity,
starting with shape
 Have display possibilities
 Lead to the discovery of
some new form
 Be a familiar home
activity (e.g., cutting,
typing, assembling)
 Show a step by step
progress clearly
 Use material a size larger
than the hand
 Be three dimensional
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o3i6y5kojc

15. Nisenson, K. (2008). Arts for Healing: the importance of
integrated music and art in therapy and special education.
Exceptional Parent, 38(3), 42-44.
Bush, J. (2002). About art therapy. Retrieved from
http://www.schoolarttherapy.com/school_art_therapy.htm
Lovano-Kerr, J., & Savage, S. (1972). Incremental Art
Curriculum Model for the Mentally Retarded. Exceptional
Children, 39(3), 193-199.
Germain, C. (2008). Art for special-needs students. Arts &
Activities, 143(3), 55.