Carol Bouzoukis, a child drama specialist with 25 years of experience, has developed a way to take children's natural affinity for play acting and use it to further their all-around development.
When children use their imagination, they can work through many things, says Bouzoukis, author of Encouraging Your Child's Imagination: A Guide and Stories for Play Acting (Rowman & Littlefield). "It can be therapeutic, they can work out scenarios. They act that through and find resolution, even if only in play."
Bouzoukis says that how children play has changed dramatically over the years. Now it's often with a screen (television, computers, Xboxes) methods of entertainment that lack human interaction. Play, or play acting, can fill that void.
In her book, she explains her Story Drama Method and shows parents, as well as teachers or caregivers, how to polish their skills so they can lead the children. The book also includes nine stories that can be acted out, and guidelines for each. * Chicago Tribune * Since children in today's world have decreasing opportunities for imaginative play, this is a very timely and important book. Highly recommended! -- Charles E. Schaefer, professor emeritus of psychology, Fairleigh Dickinson University, cofounder and director emeritus, The Association for Play Therapy Carol Bouzoukis's new book is a highly engaging guide for all those dedicated to helping children live a fully creative life. My strongest recommendations! -- Robert J. Landy, Director, Drama Therapy Program, New York University, professor of Educational Theatre and Applied Psychology Encouraging Your Child's Imagination: A Guide and Stories for Play Acting comes at an important time! Our children and culture are being increasingly consumed by countless sources of electronic, digital media, disrupting face to face encounters and hindering social emotional connection. At the same time, neurobiology and brain research shows us that it is those very face to face encounters and social emotional connections that are so critical to neural development, cognitive growth and general well being. Carol Bouzoukis' book provides parents and teachers of young children with easy to use tools that restore those meaningful encounters and empower those critical connections. This book is filled with fun and enriching drama activities that every parent and teacher can and should enact with every child! -- Lee R. Chasen, author of Drama Therapy: Inspiring Connection on the Autism Spectrum
