Theater Arts as a Beneficial and Educational Venue in Identifying and Providing Therapeutic Coping Skills for Early Childhood Adversities: A Systematic Review of the Literature: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Stephanie Solis  Schnyder; Diana Monsivais  Wico; Tonya Huber

Vol. 13 No. 4 (2021) IEJEE

Theater Arts as a Beneficial and Educational Venue in Identifying and Providing Therapeutic Coping Skills for Early Childhood Adversities: A Systematic Review of the Literature: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Stephanie Solis Schnyder
Diana Monsivais Wico
Tonya Huber

Published April 24, 2021 | Pages: | Views: 562

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Abstract

This literature review highlights the utility of identifying early childhood adversities through dramatic play and theater arts. Understanding the impact of early childhood education, our focus included beneficial, qualitative observations of the positive therapeutic outcomes when participating in theater arts activities. We chose to search these individually (a) to understand how to identify adversities in early childhood and (b) to learn about the therapeutic effects that theater arts and dramatic play have on children. The findings amongst our articles show similar beliefs that theater arts can have a positive effect on a child’s social and emotional development. Theater arts can be utilized as a venue for children to express themselves. We strongly believe that future studies should be conducted to further explore how theater arts and dramatic play can provide a means for identifying and treating children who have experienced early childhood adversities. Ending our literature review, we feel compelled to further investigate similar studies and/or design a study focused on identifying early childhood adversities using dramatic play and incorporating expressive arts as a therapeutic intervention. Particularly now, as the world determines how to navigate the multiple adversities of the COVID-19 pandemic, research informing educators, community leaders, and families of ways to protect children against the toxicity of pervasive stressors is vital.

<p>This literature review highlights the utility of identifying early childhood adversities through dramatic play and theater arts. Understanding the impact of early childhood education, our focus included beneficial, qualitative observations of the positive therapeutic outcomes when participating in theater arts activities. We chose to search these individually (a) to understand how to identify adversities in early childhood and (b) to learn about the therapeutic effects that theater arts and dramatic play have on children. The findings amongst our articles show similar beliefs that theater arts can have a positive effect on a child’s social and emotional development. Theater arts can be utilized as a venue for children to express themselves. We strongly believe that future studies should be conducted to further explore how theater arts and dramatic play can provide a means for identifying and treating children who have experienced early childhood adversities. Ending our literature review, we feel compelled to further investigate similar studies and/or design a study focused on identifying early childhood adversities using dramatic play and incorporating expressive arts as a therapeutic intervention. Particularly now, as the world determines how to navigate the multiple adversities of the COVID-19 pandemic, research informing educators, community leaders, and families of ways to protect children against the toxicity of pervasive stressors is vital.</p>

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Keywords

adverse childhood experiences, drama, dramatic play, early childhood education, early interventions, expressive arts, social and emotional development, theater arts education, therapeutic measures

Affiliations

Stephanie Solis Schnyder

Texas A&M International University

Diana Monsivais Wico

Texas A&M International University

Tonya Huber

Texas A&M International University

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How to Cite

Schnyder, S. S. ., Wico, D. M. ., & Huber, T. (2021). Theater Arts as a Beneficial and Educational Venue in Identifying and Providing Therapeutic Coping Skills for Early Childhood Adversities: A Systematic Review of the Literature: A Systematic Review of the Literature. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education, 13(4). Retrieved from https://iejee.com/index.php/IEJEE/article/view/1388

Author Biography

Stephanie Solis Schnyder

Stephanie Solis Schnyder, BA in Communication, BM in Voice Performance, MS in Educational Curriculum & Instruction, Texas A&M International University, Laredo, TX, USA.

Diana Monsivais Wico

Diana Monsivais Wico, BA in Early Childhood Education, MS in Educational Curriculum & Instruction, Texas A&M International University, Laredo, TX, USA.