1st Edition
That's My Story!: Drama for Confidence, Communication and Creativity in KS1 and Beyond
The ability to communicate is an essential life skill for all children and young people and it underpins their social, emotional and educational development. If a child experiences a positive relationship with an adult listening carefully, they are more likely to constructively share their thoughts, feelings and their imaginative ideas.
That’s My Story! places children’s imagined stories at the heart of their own development and provides a joyful, creative approach to support young children’s personal and social development and to encourage their communication. In this book you will find:
- Tried-and-tested drama games and activities that support communication and well-being, all adaptable to complement your current practice
- Guidance and advice on how to promote positive adult-child interactions
- Examples of creative interventions that support children’s communication development
- A celebration of the joy that comes with carefully listening to children’s own imagined stories
Those of us who work with children can sense a tangible connection between how young children feel and how they communicate. This essential and practical resource will be valuable reading for primary teachers, teaching assistants, speech and language therapists, and drama practitioners, as well as outreach and education departments of theatre companies and other arts organisations.
1) Foreword 2) My story 3) Introduction 4) Communication matters 5) That’s my story 6) Story drama – Games 7) Story drama – Sessions 8) Everyone’s story 9) More creativity 10)Do it yourself? 11)Thank you
Biography
Adam Power-Annand is the National Lead and CEO of Speech Bubbles, a charitable project which supports children struggling in the classroom and in social situations because of communication challenges. Speech Bubbles is a joyful small group drama intervention in which children are encouraged to tell their own imagined stories and act them out with their peers. This is supported by physical, vocal and pro-social activities that encourage the basics of communication, understanding, expression and turn-taking.
“What a joy to read and learn from Adam’s rich practice enabling creative communication with children. All those working in schools will be inspired to champion this work and make space in the curriculum for building confident communicators…This book deserves reading by everyone working with children.”
Dr Steven Berryman, Director of Creativity, Music and Culture, The Charter Trust, President of the Chartered College of Teaching
“Inspiring and accessible! This evidence-informed book explains how Speech Bubbles practitioners support children to develop confidence and become the best communicators they can be. Advice and ideas are supported by real examples to create an invaluable toolkit of drama games, activities, and plans. Every primary classroom should have a copy!”
Alison Willmott, Education Lecturer and Consultant
“…this book provides practical advice and activities for building children's confidence in communication and storytelling. Adam Power-Annand draws on decades of experience as a drama practitioner working with children to offer tried-and tested examples, along with case studies from Hip-Hop, Movement and Ceramics to demonstrate the breadth of creative practice that can support children becoming confident communicators.”
Darren Chetty, Lecturer, University College London
“That’s My Story is a brilliant resource that will be indispensable for teachers, facilitators and artists - in fact, anyone who is dedicated to working with children, particularly if you want a practice that, firstly, works, and involves working in a responsive, attuned way to facilitate communication, creativity and participation with children.”
Dr Sheila Preston, Founder of Thriving Facilitators and former Academic and Lecturer
“That’s My Story is a wonderfully creative, collaborative and inclusive resource which puts children at the heart of creative communication. It is great to have this blend of imaginative and embodied exercises, plus the case studies showcasing the approaches of different practitioners in specific contexts. There is such a sense of inclusion throughout, and the author really helps the reader/facilitator put themselves in the child's shoes and provides practical strategies to help create the right conditions for children's creativity and self-expression to thrive. One of the elements that really strikes me is the absolute accessibility of the ideas. The principle of 'maximum imagination, minimum resources’ shines through the book.”
Pia Jones, Integrative Arts Psychotherapist, Creative Workshop Facilitator and Author of Rewilding Children's Education
