How to be a Child Actor: Audition, Book Work and Stay Grounded
Get practical tips on how to start up as a child actor from an entertainment industry pro.
Nothing lights up the brain like play.
-Stuart Brown MD
Welcome
to the home of theater games and videos for playful, positive kids.
But another part of the evolutionary story is that play is a satisfying good in itself – a source of joy, laughter, and fun for parents as well as children. If it had no other rationale, the sheer pleasure of play would be justification enough.
-Dr. Alison Gopnick
Hi, I’m Jocelyn
I’m an educator, children’s theater director, and a parent. There is so much noise out there about what you “should” be doing with your kid to help them succeed. But I’m starting to feel like it is all really simpler than we think: that in order to create thriving children and successful humans, we just need to be playing more.
As a mom, I use my acting training and classroom curriculum to work through parenting challenges, survive snow days and most of all have fun with my kid! I love watching my son grow into his own person and have fun just keeping up with him. I can’t wait to share my tools with you. Thank you for being a part of Child’s Play in Action!
Play is not only our creative drive; it’s a fundamental way of learning.
-David Elkind
10 Virtual Halloween Party Game Ideas for Kids
Check out these tips (from riddles to scavenger hunts) for virtual Halloween party festivities that will get kids joyfully playing together.
Online Teaching Tips for Preschool, Kindergarten and Elementary Educators
A series of conversations between early educators to support online teaching and learning in the Fall of 2020.
Emotions Charades and Other Games to Support Feeling Kids
Emotions Charades is a super fun and incredibly potent tool to help support EQ and empathy in our kids. Use these tips from our theater classrooms to inspire your games and learn about other playful ways that help kids come to terms with their emotions. In these highly charged times we live in, kids need support in identifying and expressing their feelings…let’s do it through play!
15 Playground Toys That Will Make the Outdoors Awesome
Make time on the playground meaningful with these tools that boost imagination! Here are 15 of my favorite toys under $15 that I can slip into a bag when we go. They are collaborative, creative and physical and will certainly add a spark to your kids’ outdoor play! Plus, watch how the classic “Red Light Green Light” gets a dramatic play twist!
14 Reasons You Should Play Hide And Seek Right Now
Hide and Seek is a classic kid activity, but it’s not just fun and games. Hide and Seek is amazing for our kids’ brains,
Creative Movement Games that Inspire Kids to be Brave and Kind
The thrilling ways that actors use creative movement can translate to your home or classroom for inspired indoor play. Help kids get “into character” through physical and robust playing that nurtures empathy along the way too! If you are a theater or classroom teacher these build up your ensemble and inspire brave choices. Build in some of these games as a way to release energy and recharge after the school day. Set these games in motion and then empower your kids to keep the playing going without you!
18 Brain Breaks That Will Make Your Kids’ Minds Happy
Brain Breaks are brilliant ways to energize your kids in the classroom or at home. These short movement activities invigorate kids so that they can learn with calm bodies and focused minds. They tap into imagination and word play too!
Feelings and How to Help Kids Talk About Them
Give kids mastery over their emotions. Let them identify and communicate about their feelings by talking “to” them! If they give voice (literally) to parts of their brain, they gain mindfulness and perspective over their worry.
For New Yorkers
Play touches and stimulates vitality, awakening the whole person – mind, body, intelligence and creativity.
-Viola Spolin
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