Drama Kids form Floresville on their last day of class. 

4 students graduated to DKI Jr. Academy.

By Sandy Detamore

Special to the La Vernia News article published 8-12-2010

     How can parents help their children realize their creative potential? 

Every child has their own natural creative talent within them. You can help them by figuring out what it is just by watching them and see what sparks their interest.

It took me a long time to figure out my son could do without toys, music and TV. But if I took his books away he was devastated. He now teaches high school English and still loves to read. 

     What can a parent do to help figure out what activity is right for their child? 

 In the next few weeks your child will be coming home from school. Whether you pick them up and have a conversation with them in the car or at the dinner table, start by asking your child what they did in school that day. Let them tell you.

 Listen and read between the lines. You will quickly find out what sparks their interest and then go from there.  They may be interested in science, math or PE. Let them tell you the good and the bad.  Then you can point out the value of learning different subjects and how it can help them in other areas. Be creative - if your child hates math, let them know they will need that if they want to own a business one day. 

Another way is by asking them questions, such as, “What was your favorite subject today? What was your least favorite?”  Then make sure you talk to them about extra activities that are available. 

Remind them that it's nice to have a hobby later in life. I still play my clarinet. 

There are so many programs to choose from.  How can you make sure it's right for your child?

You may have to help them explore "new options". I know many children whose parents start off with one activity only to find out later that they enjoyed something better.  Let them try out programs that they want to try out and encourage them to try different ones as well, maybe one that you suggest. They will tell you if they like it.  Really all it takes is one lesson.

After the class, ask them open-ended questions.  Notice whether your child is excited and can't wait for his or her next lesson or activity? Don't waste your time if your child is not interested.  Or better yet, find out why they didn't like it. It may be something small that can be fixed. 

     But what if you still can't figure out how to help your child? 

     You need to listen to what your child's teacher is telling you or parents of friends they hang out with. I really wasn’t the one who discover my son could sing. It was his piano teacher.  Sometimes children act differently around others,

so sometimes parents are the last to know that they may have the next super star in the making.  Maybe they are saying your child does not want to participate, possibly because they are shy and may have difficultly in social settings. 

     What can a parent do to help?

     Sometimes children who are shy may need boost in their self-confidence. Find a program that will help them with that.  If you have an outgoing child, maybe they need a program that will help channel that energy. Try some type of group activity.

You can help your child by finding an activity that will help them with whatever concerns you have or with what your trying to help develop their natural gift.

There are so many different activities for children to choose from to help them realize their gifts and talents or even help them with a few social problems.   

     Can you give me an example? 

     Look at Glee. It's such a popular show right now.  I think this is a perfect example of how it should be - athletes, geeks and cheerleaders all performing under one roof.  If we let our children be who they really are, maybe this really can happen in real life.  I can relate to because in high school I got a chance to participate in volleyball, band, cheerleader and even a twirler.  With that said... some times your child may need to go through a few different activities till they figure out what their natural gift is. 

     What about children who have too many activities? 

     Not to worry, parents. Your child will let you know if you’re overloading them. Plus this is a good time to start teaching them time-management skills.  Sit down and let them figure out when will they have time for all these activities. Help them make a list of what needs to happen during that time frame you give them. An example would be:  homework, chores around the house, family time, and other sibling conflicts. Have them use a calendar to write down all these activities, especially if they want to add another activity to their schedule. Then they will see if there's time for it.

   Make sure they understand school is their first priority and that outside activities are a privilege. Trust me, you will help them in the long run, plus they will tell you when they are overloaded. I remember my son telling me for the first time, I can't do basketball this year because...” he started going through his schedule.  He was only in elementary when he told me this! These are skills that they will need and use when they get into the "adult world".  Now my son has to make lesson plans for his students! 

 The most important thing I tell parents is ... Kids need to be kids. What ever they do, they need to have fun doing it. Now I teach drama, which I really never did  "in school".  However, I find that all the different activities I did now help me with my drama career. 

I love what I do because I help all different kinds of children. My program is more developmental-based.  But that’s not to say if I have a child who is a performer, I'm not going to use that.  I had one student who wanted to change characters and I wanted to know why? I had to trace back my steps to what I did to help her change her mind. After asking her several questions I found out later she could sing, so I just changed the plan to fit her needs. 

Sometimes we just need to be reminded that we need to listen to the child, whether it's through listening or body language.  Certain activities can help children channel both positive and negative energy.  If we find the right fit and your child enjoys it, they certainly will be able to use it later in life.   

Parents, let you kids dream big.  Let them act silly and do silly things.  Look at what they are doing when no one is watching.  This is what is helping them develop their inner self worth and shaping them into who ever they may become later in life. 

Drama Kids had fun wearing crazy hats! Can you pick the winners?

Visit us on Facebook to see more cool crazy hats!

http://www.facebook.com/mydramakids

Drama Kids parents joined in for an hour of fun! I have never seen so many

different ways a 'one liner' can go.....Parents did great on role reversals! 

It was so nice to see both Mom's and Dad's come out and support their

"Drama Kid".

Visit us on Facebook to see more Drama Mama/Dad pictures!

http://www.facebook.com/mydramakids

Drama Kids International Floresville students, instructed by Sandy Detamore, demonstrate the skills and activities they have learned during their first session of classes Jan. 14 at the American Legion Hall in Floresville.

As reported in the Wilson County News.

Drama Kids doing an improv activity.

Meghan Pairett and Dylan Forde performing a SNIPPET scene.

Julia Weaver, age 7, performs "Part of Your World" during the Sacred Heart School Valentine Coronation Feb. 13 in Floresville. She was directed and coached by Sandy Detamore of Drama Kids International of the Greater San Antonio Area.

Nominated for best theatre group for kids in San Antonio, TX. Vote now!

Drama Kids International Greater San Antonio Area IS NOMINATED FOR NICKELODEON'S PARENTSCONNECT PARENTS' PICKS AWARD FOR Theatre group for kids

The Parents' Picks Awards is a nationwide online poll that allows parents to vote for their favorite family places, products and parenting tips from July 7 through August 31, 2010.

WHAT: Nickelodeon's ParentsConnect, the online resource for parenting advice and community, is hosting its third annual Parents' Picks Awards; inviting parents to pick the best parenting products, parenting tips and local family places. [Drama Kids International] is a nominee for [Theatre group for kids in San Antonio, Texas]. ParentsConnect will announce the winners online on September 15, 2010. The 2010 Parents' Picks Award winners will be featured on ParentsConnect throughout the year.

HOW TO VOTE: Users can vote for the nominees online at www.parentsconnect.com/parents-picks from July 7th until August 31st to help determine the best of the best parenting products, tips and local resources in their cities. Nominees for this year's Parents' Picks Awards were determined by ParentsConnect members who submitted nominations from April 29 through July 6. The top 5 nominees with the most votes in each category are now the official nominees in this final voting round. User votes ultimately determine the winners in the 30 different categories.

THE WINNERS: The nominee in each category with the most votes will be crowned the 2010 Parents Picks Awards WINNER and be established as the best product, tip or place in that category. To announce their win, they will receive a "Parents' Picks 2010 Winner" seal to display and will be featured as the winning product, tip or place on Nickelodeon's ParentsConnect site until the 2011 awards, so parents everywhere will know that they are the best of the best.

PARENTSCONNECT BACKGROUND: Featuring the tagline "We're not perfect, we're parents," Nickelodeon's ParentsConnect is the online resource providing parenting advice and community, celebrating the reality of parenthood and making parents' lives easier. Geared towards parents with kids of all ages, from pregnancy to teens, the site offers unique features like personalized profiles that help parents connect with each other; advice from top-tier parenting experts; weekly online parties; hot topic boot camps on burning parenting topics; sweepstakes and giveaways; customizable baby names lists; comprehensive baby name lists; seasonal crafts, recipes and activities; a weekly meal-planner; a weekly newsletter focusing on pregnancy and

early childhood milestones; and guest celebrity editorials. Each age-related section on the site provides users with content to help them through both large and small parenting challenges.

CONTACTS: Nicole Bradley/ Nicole.Bradley@nick.com/212.846.5939/Sandy Detamore/ dkisanantonio@aol.com/ 830.216.7222

Sandy Detamore was on Channel 4's SA Living Show with Shelly Miles and Andrea Sanchez from Moms AroundSA.com talking about Recognizing your child's potential.  Click the link below then go to Mommy Chat and find the topic "Recognizing your child's potential.

http://www.woai.com/content/livingvideo/default.aspx

By Nannette Kibey-Smith

from the Wilson County News article published 7-28-2010

Drama Kids teaches creativity, confidence

FLORESVILLE – What’s fun, sometimes silly, and can help children gain confidence to succeed in today’s technology-driven, highly competitive world?  Perhaps sports or academic events come to mind, or participation in church- or community-based organizations.  A local “new kid on the block” is helping kids develop their articulation skills, as well as poise and confidence, in a fun and engaging way:  Drama Kids International.

     The curriculum-based program began in Australia in 1985, but has only been available in the San Antonio area since November 2009.  Sandy Detamore, after a 25-year career with McDonald’s as a crewmember, manager and later training manager and area supervisor, discovered Drama Kids International will searching for her next career.

     “I thought about what I really loved to do and realized I’d always enjoyed working with children, organizing the parties for them,” she recalled.  “And I’d done dramas with my church.”

    With Drama Kids, Detamore found a curriculum-based program that helps children

Develop self-esteem, self-confidence, and speech skills, all while having fun.

  “We hone in on their existing skills and help them develop those,” she said.

Each Drama Kids class includes a theater game, a theater activity such as improvisation, a speech, and a script, she said.  Participants learn how to stand and breathe for effective delivery, and how to project.  They learn good communication skills and how to change their approach to get their message across.

     “All these activities help them develop lifelong skills,” Detamore said.  “Whatever

they do later in life – if they’re teachers, actor, or the presidents of companies – they can use these skills the rest of their lives.”

     For those who want to pursue an acting career, the classes help them to “act naturally,” Detamore said.

     “It’s not about acting,” she added.  “It’s about life skills and using all the creativity you have.  It’s for everybody.”

     The program also has proven beneficial for some students coping with attention disorders, according to Detamore.

     “Kids with attention issues are engaged the whole time,” she said.  “I have had kids

[in class] with ADHD [attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder]…and have had no problems.”

     Detamore has been teaching classes in Floresville and San Antonio.  The Wilson County classes began in the American Legion Hall and continue at the First Baptist Church in Floresville.  This fall, however, her Floresville classes will take place on Floresville Independent School District (ISD) campuses.  The Floresville ISD sites will make classes more convenient for local families, Detamore said.

     Drama Kids is aimed at students ages 5-13.  Detamore is adding a class for 4-year-olds at the Early Childhood Campus, too.

     She has taken on two teachers to help her with the increased schedule.  Staff undergo full background checks, she said, to put parents’ minds at ease.

     Detamore offers one free class so parents can let their children try Drama Kids before committing to the program.

     “I want to be sure their child will like it before they enroll,” she said.

     Classes are $15 each.  Tuition can be paid monthly or all at once.

     For more information, contact Detamore at 830-216-7222 or dkisanantonio@aol.com, or visit http://www.dramakids.com/tx6.