Mat Time Drama

Drama games offer our Tamariki a chance to be involved in using their imaginations together as a large group. This kind of collective imagination has a power all of its own. We often use Story songs such as the magic play dough or the Gingerbread man as another way of exploring story telling as well as following the actions to use our bodies in different ways. Games such as the magic box give opportunities for leadership as this game involves offers (the child suggesting the animal which is inside the box) and acceptance (as the group then becomes the suggested animal). This is a safe way for Tamariki to begin to express ideas and lead as there is a 100% guarantee that their idea will be accepted and used by the group. These types of games are also a good chance for Kaiako to encourage non verbal communication as a way of expressing an idea showing that by the way you move, the expression on your face and how you hold your body you can communicate to others that you are a cat, a snake, a kangaroo or even a dragon!