Drama Start

Drama Start: Inquiry and Play is a drama book for anyone working with young children. It offers starting points for exploring ideas through play, inquiry and the emergent curriculum.

A sealed box arrives. Footprints appear on the floor. A nest is empty, a door is locked or a village is flooded. What has happened? What could we do? These beginnings give children something to wonder about and a reason to step into an imaginary world.

The book includes inquiries inspired by mysterious objects, strange sounds, moving statues, fairytales and everyday experiences. Children notice, question, investigate and discover through movement, storytelling, roleplay, soundscapes and still images. Educators can join in through teacher-in-role, helping the story develop while making room for children's ideas.

There are no lines to learn or polished performances to prepare. The emphasis is on what happens along the way: listening to one another, trying out ideas, expressing feelings, solving problems and finding new questions to explore.

The starting points are flexible enough for early years settings, Montessori environments, junior primary classrooms, drama groups, after-school clubs and workshops. Follow an inquiry as suggested or adapt it to the children, their interests and the space available.

Written for teachers, early years educators, Montessori practitioners, drama facilitators and students, this book offers practical ways to bring drama into children's play and everyday learning.