“No matter what your ability is, effort is what ignites that ability and turns it into accomplishment. –Carol Dweck, Mindset In my call-back for the Grad Acting program at NYU, a teacher, in all seriousness, asked us to feather balance a feather on our hand. I was thinking, wait, don’t you want me to like […]
Boost Concentration And Curiosity: Play This Game – Feather Balance! Read More »
I can’t believe that Thanksgiving is upon us! You may be already preparing the brine, buying cranberries in bulk or finding the perfect wine pairing for poultry. I’m looking forward to four days away from the routines of school and work. And I’m grateful for the time to think about what I’m grateful for…which is
Practice Listening With Story Clap! Read More »
Travel the world. Go back in time and forward to the future. Venture to new lands. And don’t leave the room… Teach your students about science, history, and make your literature come to life. All you need is masking tape and a will to play! Like most of our theater games, Magic Elevator takes a
MAGICAL ELEVATOR – A Portal Into Playful Teaching Read More »
You may have done this with girlfriends on a sleepover in the 80’s. I know I did. You may have done this as part of a talent show at camp. Yup. But you may not have thought of doing this with your kid. Here’s why you should play… It’s funny: This game is the
Need A Laugh? Play “Silly Chins”! Read More »
Oh, Mr. Sandman? Bring my kid a dream. Really. Please? I’m a mom who likes to have a plan. But try as I might, there is something about bedtime – after bath and brushed teeth and books – that drifts over into the vague. Not my favorite time of night. If those eyes are
Kids Can’t Sleep? Try This Mindful Bedtime Sensory Exercise Read More »
In 1989 my parents made a VHS recording of Into the Woods when the B’way show aired on PBS. That tape must have been made of strong stuff since I probably watched it 100 times. I knew all the words, made up secret handshakes with my best friend to the Sondheim lyrics and dressed as
Speak And Listen To Your Kids – No Words Required. Read More »
Getting into another character’s shoes is the best way (that I know) to build empathy. These simple exercises will get kids out of their own heads and into the hearts of their character. The theater gives us these essential tools to boost empathy and emotional intelligence in our young students.
Getting Into Character: 4 Games For More Compassionate Kids Read More »
Tongue twisters warm up the voice…Yoga can stretch the body…But what about our character’s feelings? I use “Pass the Emotions” to get my students primed for their rehearsals in our Shakespeare productions at Child’s Play NY. In these plays, the stakes are so high that I’m constantly encouraging students to go deeper and make things
Kids Get In Touch With Emotions – Here’s How Read More »
“Life is a journey, not a destination,” said poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson. Replace the word, “life” with “Halloween” and you have a pretty compelling argument for having fun this month without being too fixated on the day itself! Probably not Emerson’s original intention, but that’s ok… Sensory-overload parties and crazed-sugar-rushes can lead to day-of meltdowns
Making The Most Of Halloween Through Play Read More »