Theatrical Temptations or How to Fill Your Spare Time Watching Your Children's Self-Inspired Dramatic Performances
I’m a firm believer in leaving suggestions casually sprinkled around the house. Kids seem to get more out of things they take up themselves, although I’ve never seen them take up multiplying fractions on their own. Dressing up and putting on a play is one of those things it doesn’t take much salting to get going. A big box of old clothes, shoes, hats, purses, and cloth remnants can provide a wealth of costumes. You may find your kids spending birthday money to add to their stash of props investing in plastic swords, jewels, crowns and such. Some children will write their own plays handing out parts suitable to the ages of the players, doubling or tripling up, and adlibbing as required to keep the show moving forward. You’ll be expected to provide the audience. If your children are less inclined to create their own plays or pageants, try sprinkling a readers theater book or two around where your kids are sure to come across it. Inquiries about the book should be nonchalant and brief. Don’t get excited about it; let them get excited about it. Once the performing bug hits, you can direct your older children to find free readers theater scripts online. For sparking desire though, a full color illustrated book is better suited than a print out from the Internet. Readers theater books cover a spectrum of topics from really easy scripts for younger children to scripts that pull Shakespeare into the understanding and vocabulary realm of kids. If your children take up Shakespeare, then you know the play really is the thing. Online Theater, Readers Theater, and Costume Resources Copyright © 2012 Eclectic Homeschool Association |
