Stand up, Speak Out - Stop Bullying

Drama Kids Fights Back Against Bullying

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According to the Stop Bullying Now Foundation, 60% of all middle school students say they have been bullied; and, 20% of all elementary school children and high school students say they have been bullied. We believe there is one important element that can defeat bullying and that’s confidence. Confidence allows kids the ability to stand up for themselves and for others. Confidence is a skill that everyone can develop IF it is focused on. Many parents believe that their children have natural confidence, but the growing bullying and teen suicide statistics say otherwise. Confidence must be taught, practiced, continually reinforced and recognized. Unfortunately, most kids and teens don’t get such training.
Drama Kids students gain confidence by taking small but important risks in class to step forward, speak up, and express their ideas. Daring to be seen and heard is hard at first, but through constant praising and encouragement by our teachers, stretching limits through drama soon becomes second nature to our students. We feel strongly that our program is an effective weapon against bullying because our class curriculum taught by our trained teachers includes in EACH class:

  • Opportunities to work with new students – no CLIQUES allowed!
  • Partner opportunities to work together with someone new and present results together.
  • Small group and team opportunities to build leadership, compromise, and negotiation skills.
  • Presentation time to perform in front of the teacher and other students.
  • A strong focus on projection and speaking skills. Speaking up with strong articulation is taught and reinforced to all. We love noise! – Coherent, thoughtful, and creative noise.
  • Fun and constantly changing drama activities are used to ensure that all students participate fully. No stars are anointed over anyone else. All students are praised and recognized as the incredible miracles that they are.

One mom’s letter to us sums it up best:

“I know I have said it before, but I cannot say it enough, Drama Kids has made a huge difference in Lauren’s life. You gave her the confidence to start to take risks and move forward in her life. Before she started Drama Kids, life seemed so hard for her – especially when it came to friends. I remember in fifth grade she asked her friends if they thought she was weird and believe me, some said yes. Now she is engaging with adults and having them be so impressed with her. I know at that moment I thought of you and Drama Kids and the positive influence you both have had in her life. Seriously, when she walks across that stage in June, you will be right there with her. Know that you played a huge part of the wonderful adult she has become. I hope this also reminds you that what you do is so important.”

We CAN fight bullying. We CAN build confidence. We urge you to contact your nearest Drama Kids owner to learn more about our classes in your area, or very confidently open a Drama Kids franchise near you, At Drama Kids – the Difference IS Dramatic!

5 tips to develop strong speaking skills

5 Tips to Develop Strong Speaking Skills in Your Child

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1)  Listen to what your child is saying.  Children must feel that what they say is important.  Put down the paper, turn off the TV or car radio, and converse.  Knowing that you are listening to them will reinforce their confidence in speaking to you and to others.

2) Practice developing strong eye contact. Require that your child look into your eyes whenever they speak to you.  Then challenge them to do the same when talking to anyone else.  Praise them when you see this happening.

3) Develop articulation. Use tongue twisters to emphasize articulation in a fun way.  Concentrate on correct articulation.  Do not allow the child to speak too fast at the cost of poor articulation.

4) Ask your child open ended questions that require more than a yes or no answer.  For example – “Tell me more about your movement exercises in class today?”  If you need a subject to discuss, perhaps read a small story to your child then ask hypothetical questions about what might happen next, or which character they liked.

Older children can be involved in discussing national news events, or school activities.

5) Don’t speak for your child.  Encourage children to speak for themselves.  For example, have children place their own orders at restaurants.  The practice of speaking to others in a clear voice is well worth the extra time that it may take to get your food.

Drama classes help dispel stereotypes

Drama Kids Removes Common Negative Stereotypes about Children’s Drama Programs

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Myth: The purpose of children’s drama is to entertain an audience.

Fact: The purpose of children’s drama is for participants to develop speaking skills, acting skills, creative thinking, confidence and self esteem.

 

Myth: Drama requires repetitive memorization of lines.

Fact: Creative, developmental drama uses new short plays and other drama activities each class.  The focus is on skill development – not line memorization.

 

Myth: Drama classes are only for children who are not interested in participating in extracurricular athletic programs.

Fact: Drama programs are for all children, regardless of physical abilities or sports aptitude. All children stand to gain significant advantages in confidence and in their speaking and presentation skills that a creative drama program provides. In addition, team building skills taught at drama classes help children learn how to work together in a group, which is critical for group projects at school.  In addition, most athletically involved children enjoy the variety that drama provides in their lives.

 

Myth:  Drama is only for extroverted children.

Fact: Drama is great for both “shy” and “outgoing” children. Drama can help introverted children develop their speaking skills and public confidence, provided that they are challenged at a pace that is comfortable and enjoyable for them. Often, parents find that, after participation in drama classes, their so-called “shy” child wasn’t introverted after all – they just needed the proper guidance from trained professionals to help “draw” them out. Drama can also create a positive focus and outlet for extroverted children as well as build their diction, projection and articulation skills.

 

Myth: Drama takes a significant time commitment in order for a child to excel.

Fact: Just one hour of drama class per week throughout the school year, using the right drama program will create significant noticeable differences in speech, creative thinking and confidence in public speaking.

Drama Kids protege Caden

Drama Kids protege Caden is on the road to stardom

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Like a lot of children his age, 11-year-old Caden Denslow has big dreams of becoming a famous actor. But unlike those other kids, his aspirations of appearing on the big screen are already
taking shape thanks in part to his experience as a Drama Kids student. [Read the rest of the article in PDF format by clicking here]