How do we motivate young people?

At a recent symposium hosted by the Western Cape Department of Education entitled The After School Game Changer, there were extensive discussions on the importance of creating programmes that motivate young people.

The Helen O’Grady Drama Academy really does believe that all these points on motivation are incredibly important and this is why our teachers get extensive training in teaching methods as well us our curriculum is updated every year to take this into account:

1. Young people are evolving and what was apt yesterday might not be appropriate to them today. After school programmes need to be relevant and apt for their learning today.  We need to meet young people where they are and help them to develop appropriately.

2. In the classroom and after school, we should see each child as an individual. If they are not taught in this way, their development will be exponential. Every student has a need to be motivated and we must allow for this. For this reason, we should never put a child in box.

3. Young people need to see good role models that they can follow - our teachers and students who have been in the Academy for a number of years really do show how being part of our after school programme does develop a respectful, confident personality.

4. We need to help young people to be self-motivated. The environment of drama with performances and group collaboration helps them to become self-assured.

5. It is important for the outcome of what they do is realistic and positive.

6. Children are motivate by reward. The Academy has an active reward system for every child, which includes certificates and trophies.

7. For a young person to be motivated the environment must be safe. The space in the drama environment is created through mutual appreciation and trust. Through this good relationships are built and feeling of community is created.

8. A good programme must speak to the dreams of children - we need to allow children opportunities to reach their dreams and encourage them to do so.

And as Helen O’Grady Drama Academy said ‘If we give out energy as a teacher, we will get it back.'
This is why energetic dynamic teachers are important to take children to the next level in their development.

#dramaafrica.

www.dramaafrica.com

www.dramaafrica.com

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