One of our greatest successes in the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy is with shy children and adults. Shyness can be very debilitating for the individual. John Malouff, of the University of New England, says that 'I have known shy college students who never graduate because they fear taking a required public speaking class.’
Please see this fantastic article: http://www.une.edu.au/about-une/academic-schools/bcss/news-and-events/psychology-community-activities/helping-young-children-overcome-shyness
The Helen O’Grady Drama Academy is one of the largest drama schools in the world in Cape Town with over 3,000 children attending classes each around the Cape Town metropole. Schools and parents have realised the importance of teaching important life-skills to children in a positive fun environment. Shy children respond particularly well to this programme.
John Malouff say: 'Shyness experts vary in their views about whether childhood shyness leads to mental health problems later. However, the practical and emotional problems caused by shyness are apparent. As a practical matter, shy children obtain less practice of social skills and develop fewer friends. They tend to avoid activities, such as sports, drama, and debate, that would put them in the limelight. Shy children tend to be perceived as shy, unfriendly, and untalented, and they tend to feel lonely and have low self-esteem (Jones & Carpenter, 1986) and a higher than average level of gastrointestinal problems (Chung & Evans, 2000). Shy children tend to become anxious teens (Prior, Smart, Sanson, & Oberklaid, 2000). Shy adults tend to have smaller social networks and to feel less satisfied than others with their social support networks (Jones & Carpenter, 1986).
Many shy individuals think of their shyness as a significant problem that hinders them in myriad ways (Zimbardo, 1986). Fortunately, some individuals act less shy as they become older (Zimbardo, 1986). However, even these individuals may regret their prior shyness, thinking sadly of the social opportunities they missed."
Please see this fantastic article: http://www.une.edu.au/about-une/academic-schools/bcss/news-and-events/psychology-community-activities/helping-young-children-overcome-shyness
John Malouff say: 'Shyness experts vary in their views about whether childhood shyness leads to mental health problems later. However, the practical and emotional problems caused by shyness are apparent. As a practical matter, shy children obtain less practice of social skills and develop fewer friends. They tend to avoid activities, such as sports, drama, and debate, that would put them in the limelight. Shy children tend to be perceived as shy, unfriendly, and untalented, and they tend to feel lonely and have low self-esteem (Jones & Carpenter, 1986) and a higher than average level of gastrointestinal problems (Chung & Evans, 2000). Shy children tend to become anxious teens (Prior, Smart, Sanson, & Oberklaid, 2000). Shy adults tend to have smaller social networks and to feel less satisfied than others with their social support networks (Jones & Carpenter, 1986).
Many shy individuals think of their shyness as a significant problem that hinders them in myriad ways (Zimbardo, 1986). Fortunately, some individuals act less shy as they become older (Zimbardo, 1986). However, even these individuals may regret their prior shyness, thinking sadly of the social opportunities they missed."
In his article relating to the psychology of helping a child out of shyness, John Malouff lists ideas to help a child overcome shyness. Most of these wonderful ideas are already in place in the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy’s curriculum to help children overcome their fears. And we have listed most of his wonderful ideas to show you how nurturing drama classes can actually make an immense difference in the life of children.
1. Tell the children about times when you acted bashful.
This positive reinforcement is applied by the teacher in all our classes. Our performance arts teachers really are, themselves, good examples of how drama has helped to overcome shyness. The Principal of the Academy, Duncan Rice, always tells parents and children how he was incredibly shy at school but overcame the shyness through his drama studies at University.
2. Explain to the children how they will benefit from acting outgoing.
The Helen O’Grady Drama Academy constantly reminds parents and children how important it is to have confidence in communication. To have confidence is one of the greatest gifts we can give children.
3. Show empathy when the children feel afraid to interact
Within the drama classes there are constant movement of support and empathy with children so gradually they learn that interacting with each other can be great fun.
4. Prevent labelling of the children as shy.
Whilst we can quickly identify a child as shy, children work as a group on most tasks so their own shyness is not highlighted. By working together and with the encouragement of the teacher, the children learn more and more to stand and speak out.
5. Set goals form more outgoing behaviour and measure progress.
This is monitored throughout the lesson and their outgoing behaviour is encouraged through group work/therapy. Children every six months have opportunities in a relaxed, nurturing way, to overcome their shyness.
6. Set a model of outgoing behaviour.
Our teachers are great models of outgoing behaviour so they become mentors to the children in developing this.
7. Expose the children to interact with others
In a fun way children are exposed to the opportunities to speak and talk with others. The constant group work enables shy children to open up and really learn how to interact with others in a fun way.
8. Prompt the children to interact with others
The course the children follow with the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy is proactive and speaking out becomes natural.
9. Reward the children for outgoing behaviour
The basis of the work we do in the Academy is developing positivity in children so positive reinforcement plays a major part in the work we do.
10. Praise others’ outgoing behaviour in the presence of the children
Our teachers are trained to praise children for communicating well throughout the class. Shy children quickly respond to the praise and they see that they can actually do the work.
11. Help the children practice interacting with others
Now this is what we are famous for. Our classes, right from the start, involve interaction and thereby the children learn how respond on a social level.
12. Pair each shy child with another child in each important setting.
The Helen O’Grady Drama Academy has a policy of pairing up child each week with a different partner. This enables children to have a different stimulus each week, no child is ever left out, and shy and non-shy children are constantly working together.
13. Read books with the children about individuals who overcome shyness
Most of the play scripts and books, particularly in the Kindergarten programme, involve children having a voice and speaking out.
14. Eliminate teasing of the children.
There is a huge thread of respect running through the Academy and this involves zero tolerance to bullying, teasing and hurting others’ feelings. This tolerance actually creates a wonderful stimulating and nurturing environment for the success of children.
15.Teach the children to identify and verbally express their emotions
The whole drama programme is about getting children to understand and express emotions in different real-life situations. The next time they come across a similar situation they are better able to deal with it.
16. Coordinate your efforts with those of other relevant adults.
This drama programme naturally lends itself to this and many parents refer their children to Helen O’Grady Drama Academy because of the success they have seen in their own children.
The Academy runs after school drama classes throughout Cape Town and here you can see our children from our Newlands Saturday afternoon drama class in action with their teacher, Debbie. On this day, we had some new children join us because they were shy and by the end of the first lesson, we could already see them responding with more confidence.
Here you can see our Lower Primary group of children in action. These children are from 5-8 years of age.
For more information about the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy, head to our website: www.dramaafrica.com
Telephone: 021 6747478
Like our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/helenogradycapetown
Comments
Post a Comment