The Helen O'Grady Developmental Drama Programme in relation to the 'Primary Curriculum' and 'Development Matters'.

 

The ‘Primary’ programme is written to develop life skills for children aged 5-11 years. Our programme has been developed by specialists in Drama Education, Speech Therapists, Early Years FS1 and FS2 and is taught in the effective Helen O'Grady format. ‘Primary’ sessions for children aged between 5-11 years, last one hour and have strong links with the ‘Primary National Curriculum’.

 

Our focus during each session is to enhance core skills including spoken language, self- awareness and confidence. Sessions capture the imaginations of children, take each child on their own learning journey, and "support children’s excursions into imaginary worlds”. Encouraging a passion for learning and "encouraging inventiveness” is what we are good at.

We are proud to provide a positive learning experience for each child attending our sessions. We use the power of positive praise as an effective method of recognising every child’s achievements, encouraging and rewarding children for their effort.

 

Our programme provides a safe environment for children to explore each topic; allowing them to develop their personal, social, emotional, communication and language skills using a variety of methods including peer learning and modelling.

Taught by trained, experienced, fully CRB checked Helen O'Grady Drama Academy teachers. We provide energetic activities, promoting exercise and a healthy lifestyle. Sessions involve physical activity throughout, developing special and body awareness while growing their skills as part of a team.

Our programme comes highly recommended from Head Teachers, Teachers, Parents and Children alike.

 

'Beth's workshops are energetic and exciting, giving every child a chance to participate and achieve. It is wonderful to see children, who have previously not appeared confident, joining in and succeeding. She quickly develops a great rapport with the children enabling them to get the most from their session. My teachers love her workshops as it gives them ideas that they can take away and use in their own classrooms. All too often drama is focused on being a 'star' and being the 'best', Beth's sessions are focused on being 'the best you can’ and developing confidence and creativity. The children who have attended her weekly sessions have developed in their own self-confidence, which in turn has impacted positively on them socially and academically.'

— Headteacher —

 

'Thank you so much for a fab day with Beth yesterday. Staff and children were both really enthusiastic and buzzing!!’

— Headteacher —

 

"I was really impressed with the speech work. Erin has always had an issue with delayed speech and I was thrilled to see her taking part with such enthusiasm in the activities, especially the warm-ups."

—Tina, Erin's Mum -

 

                         Links with the 'Primary Curriculum'

 

Introductory activities:

 

During introductory activities and throughout many sections of each class, teachers model being a listener by listening to children and taking account of what they say in your responses to them. Children learn to interact with each other and discuss what they are learning.

 

 

Speech work:

 

For the duration of the session, teachers are encouraging children to experiment with words and sounds.

During ‘Speech work’ sentences are modeled by the teacher to develop expression, articulation and projection while exploring the use of punctuation with their pace and pitch. Children are taught spoke grammar and punctuation with the use of gesture to develop understanding of the written word and language development.

Within ‘Speech work’ children work on ‘Verbal Dynamics’ where they learn poetry specially written to develop skills learnt during speech work. Children are able to learn a large section of text with movements and expression.

 

Whole class Improvisation:

 

Through teacher-led whole class improvisation we encourage children to explore and talk about what they are learning. Each week children their improvisation skills enabling them to talk freely with one another, discussing their experiences. Historical plays are devised with children to use their existing knowledge or develop their understanding of the period such as ‘Stone Age’.

During plays, teachers encourage children to make links between their body language and words whilst supporting their growing ability to express a wide range of feelings.

 

Movement / Mime to music:

 

‘Movement’ and ‘Mime to Music’ activities allow children to develop their body language to show emotion and tell the story without the use of speech.