Foundation Stage Drama
Drama enables pupils to express their thoughts, ideas and feelings in a safe environment. Through imaginative play, it helps them to develop their creativity and extend their learning. This dramatic play includes taking part in a range of games and strategies.
As they progress, pupils begin to negotiate roles, agree rules and act out scenarios. Eventually they are able to adopt and sustain a role using both verbal and non-verbal language.
Teacher assessment is an integral part of the pupils’ learning process. It allows you to create a comprehensive picture of each pupil’s strengths and areas for development. This gives you a profile to build on and a basis for future planning.
At Foundation Stage, you can use a range of strategies to give pupils an opportunity to demonstrate how they meet specific success criteria. These include:
- observation;
- class discussion;
- visual/oral discussion; and
- independent and group performances.
For examples of suitable classroom activities, see:
- Dance movement
- Emotions and feelings
- Improvisation 1
- Improvisation 2
- Mime
- Movement and gesture
- Pupils in role
- Teacher in role
- Thoughts, ideas and feelings
If you are developing a programme of study for Drama, please refer to the statutory requirements of the Northern Ireland Curriculum.