Analysis of the educational needs of my target audience, school kids aged six years.

Brief synposis

For the TIE project I am currently doing I got a chance to work with: Cameron Flavien Nichloas(the hare), Pierce Tomlinson(Mr.Hedgehog) and Simon Ziel(Mr.hedgehogs' wife). My part in the children theatre piece was Chutney the squirrel(Narrator). We had in mind if we had done the original made up story, would it be suitable for the kids? together as a group we read the actual made up story and thought:one, it was sexist; quite dark for kids, as in kids generally don't like stories about blood and
hearing that someone is dying a painful death or any type of death. We personal thought it was inappropriate. In contrast to this, someone dying in the play, would get them scared and they would end up having nightmares, which we don't want to happen. So, then, Pierce Tomlinson took the liberty of adapting some changes to the script. In the adapted script the Narrator(me) starts off by saying Hello kids. My name is chutney the squirel! I'm going to tell you a very good story called the hare and the hedgehog. And it includes three very special people. Shall I introduce the special people to you- then to grab the childrens attention he wrote I can't hear you because most kids generally love to get involved with any story that is being told to them in any way. The rest of the script is quite similar the only three things that change is the moral of the story, the beginning and the ending. The beginning is now set in the hedgehog's home and his wife is making him breakfast(pancakes) and they have a dispute and they quarrell for a bit then he heads out for fresh air to pick vegetables, sees the hare while he is there and then the hare starts making fun of him so then he remembers his wife and his duty as a father then makes a bet the loser will cook dinner for the winner's family. The ending is now the Hare losing the race and not dying; having to end up making dinner for the Hedgehog and his wife but then they don't like it and spit it out and the hare holds his ears screaming ahhhhhhh! then that's the end.
                                           























                                                    Moral Teaching

The moral of the story is, that no one, however great that person might be; should never bully someone for being small or because they walk funny. Even if that person is a hedgehog. Even though cheating helped the hedgehog, it does not mean that cheating is the way out of things and is right. Cheating is wrong and you should never cheat. If you ever get bullied please go tell the teacher. He or she will deal with the matter. Then the narrator says her final goodbye and that's when it ends.

 

        What is Theatre In Edcuation?

Theatre in Education works on a fundamental level because it is very interactive. All the shows Act On Info produce, even the ones to larger groups, involve audience participation on some level and this encourages an emotional connection to the work, making it more memorable. As well as learning about subjects and issues through drama by participating the pupils are also developing other social and interactive skills such as communication, public speaking, negotiation, awareness of themselves and others, teamwork, improved concentration, and self confidence.
Theatre in Education or TIE was originally formed in 1965 by actor called Roger Chapman at the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry. It had plans to involve theatre professionals directly with the education of school children. However, now it tends to refer to all professional theatre involvement in school education. Different companies will often be defined as TIE companies and will travel around the country giving lectures and workshops. Chapman wanted theatrical education to be more involving. The original company was largely made up with actors and professionals which already had teaching experience; TIE is quite difficult to do because I have to learn how to get out of my comfort zone and do the un-expected!

Keeping children interested and how it appeals to the target audience

Making reading a book an experience. Showing the kids the cover of the book, and saying the title in an excited voice. Voice is the number one factor in keeping kids interested. If I speak and read in a monotone voice, the kids are going to get bored, quick.  I'll ask lots of questions, like "Where's the tree mrs hedgehog is standing next to?" or "What color is the hare's ears?" to make them more attentive and this not only helps kids gain an understanding of common things, it builds their language skills too.  I'll wait a few seconds for a response. If a child says the correct answer then i'll say "Great job that's right!" Even if they don't say the right answer, I'll correct them with the right answer and continue with my narration.
Another great idea for story time is to use puppets. Using puppets when listening to stories is a good idea to keep kids interested. Making the puppet talk, in a different voice. Talk to the kids with the puppet, and usually the kids will talk back to the puppet. This is very entertaining, and a great way to use their imaginations, and mine too.
If I've lost the kids interest and attention, then it's probably time to move on to another part of the story or I could stop and ask more questions to engage them more.If that does not work then I'll add bigger facial expressions and more exagerrated movements. It is not a good idea to keep all of the kids sitting in one spot for a long time so my group does not plan to take long. Normally, the younger the child, the shorter their attention span is. I don't expect a toddler to sit for 25 minutes while they watch my group and I perform. Ideally 5-10 minutes is more realistic. Story time is an important part of a child's day, whether I are teaching a roomful of toddlers, or just one of  my own. Reading is important for kids of all ages, not only toddlers. Children from infancy to elementary school age all should be read to once in a while. Reading to kids has so many benefits, and it's important to fit it into my schedule everyday. In the story there is a race that takes place and the movement and facial expression of the runners (which is the hare and hedgehog) will make the children find the story that we are showing them absolutely hilarious and also the sense of humor that we add will also enable my group and I personally to bring the Hare and the Hedgehog story much more life and make it more lively; this is the kind of physically movement that will appeal the most to my target audience and it will get them really energised, energetic.

 

                   

 Six Year Old Cognitive Development

Thinking and Learning 

• Show rapid development of mental skills.
• Learn better ways to describe experiences and talk about thoughts and feelings.
• Have less focus on one’s self and more concern for others.

Six year olds experience a tremendous learning growth as they enter school and tackle more difficult material. They will begin to read (and may even delve into chapter books with some help from parents and teachers), and will learn basic math skills as well as other subject such as art, science, and history.

 

Six Year Old Social Development

For a six year old child, social communications and the growth of social skills will take on a greater impact as they spend more time at school and with friends. The social world of a six year old will be more complex and they may put more emphasis on relationships with others outside the immediate family such as friends and teachers.

I'm currently using this link to help me with my narration voice (particularly movement, articulation, projection and tone).