Introduction of Kindy Drama!
In 2009, the age range was extended with the introduction of an engaging preschool programme – Kindy Drama.
After pilot schemes in four locations, the programme is now becoming more widely available around the country.
For children aged 3 and 4years.
The curriculum is designed to appeal to children from 3 years before they start ‘big’ school! The weekly lessons, which last for 45 minutes include:
- Dramatic play
- Creative movement
- Language development
- Storytelling
- Songs & rhymes
30 years of experience!
The Academy was founded in a church hall in Perth, Australia in 1979.
The first classes were launched in the UK in 1994. Over the years, a great amount of time has been spent developing a curriculum encompassing an extensive range of drama activities designed to capture the imagination of children of all ages.
Following a huge demand from parents, the Kindy programme, also a product of Perth, was written based on the primary format and has proved very successful.
Developing children’s confidence and self esteem.
The Bercow Review in August 2008 highlighted the requirement of the education system to focus on improving the language and communication skills of young students. John Bercow MP said:
"The ability to communicate is an essential life skill for all children and young people in the 21st century. It is at the core of all social interaction. With strong communication skills, children can engage and thrive. Without them children will struggle to learn, achieve, make friends and interact with the world around them."
2011 was subsequently named Hello, the National Year of Communication, run by The Communications Trust. Schools and organisations around the country have actively joined the campaign to encourage verbal communication skills. The Helen O’Grady system is fully supportive of this campaign and totally focussed on addressing the social and educational concerns. The curriculum taps into the natural interest children have in drama and helps them develop into confident, articulate young people, more able to succeed in later life.
Verbal communication skills more important than ever!
In our modern world, when young people rely so much on technology to socialise and communicate, it is crucial we nurture our children’s confidence to allow them to hold their heads up, speak clearly and present themselves well in all situations. Principals worldwide have the support of schools and parents and demand for classes is growing.
A typical Kindy lesson.
A typical Kindy lesson includes children singing a familiar ‘Hello Song’; activities to encourage children to speak with each other and their teacher; speech exercises, to develop strong projected voices with clear articulation and expression and a movement segment so little ones can discover other ways of communicating.
The main part of each lesson develops these skills further, making them into a story with music, a short ‘play’ or a series of high impact activities children can identify with. As listening skills are also important, each lesson has listening time.
The culmination of the lesson, just before the ‘Goodbye Song’ is the Special Surprise Bag which could contain anything from a hot water bottle to a carton of popcorn!
Kindy classes now more widely available.
Classes are available in increasing numbers around the UK.
Click here for a list of available classes
The Academy also runs very successful classes in several nursery settings. The Heads of these nurseries have been thrilled with the classes and the value, for parents, it has added to their own programmes. All teachers are CRB checked and specially trained in Kindy Drama methods as well the Helen O’Grady techniques.
"The children eagerly look forward to their drama sessions, anticipating the fun they are going to have while we, as practitioners, appreciate the value of the new skills the children develop.
The Helen O’Grady Drama Academy presents a well thought out programme which not only builds on previous knowledge and expands the children’s language skills but enthusiastically promotes a ‘can do’ attitude to their creative and expressive development."
Margaret Ballantyne,
Manager,
East Harptree Nursery
For more information
Click here to send an email or request more information.
Contact: Helen O’Grady (CI) Ltd., North Side, Vale, Guernsey, GY3 5TX
Tel: 01481 200250
Email: headoffice@helenogrady.co.uk