Reader’s Theater improves reading comprehension and fluency. It helps children learn to speak well and listen carefully. With the right scripts, it can be an inspirational and spiritual experience for children.
Those are just a few of the many benefits of Reader’s Theater. This simple form of drama can be a fun activity for children. It’s fairly easy to implement since it requires few materials. You really only need scripts and people to perform it. There are more perks to using Reader’s Theater. Read on to find out more about them.
Benefits of Reader’s Theater
Reader’s Theater improves reading fluency. When a child practices speaking his parts over and over again, he naturally becomes more fluent.
It increases reading comprehension. Reader’s Theater is about reading with expression. The performer is supposed to convey meaning to the audience. The text should come alive for them. In order for that to happen, the reader needs to comprehend the text.
It can increase vocabulary. Some scripts have some challenging words that are beneficial for children to learn.
It’s a motivating factor. When a child has a purpose for reading, in this case a performance, he is more motivated to read.
It encourages children to work together. The children must pay attention to each other in order to give a good performance. When they speak unison parts, they need to be in sync with each other also.
Reader’s Theater improves speaking and listening skills. Each child must enunciate clearly and project his voice in order to be heard. He also needs to listen carefully to the other performer(s) so that he can come in on cue.
It prepares them for certain situations in the adult world. There are numerous occasions in life when an adult can be called upon to read something aloud. Being a lector or reader in church is one example. Others include reading parts of a report in a business meeting, sharing an article from a newspaper with friends or relatives, and reading a story aloud to your own children.
It’s a less expensive form of drama. There’s no need for elaborate sets. Props and costumes are optional. All you truly need to perform most scripts are people and space.
It prepares children for performing plays. Reader’s Theater is a precursor to other types of drama.
It’s less stressful for some children. There’s no need to fear forgetting one’s lines since the script is right in front of you.
It’s a good way to expose your child to some works of classical literature. Some Reader’s Theater scripts are developed from vintage pieces. Reader’s Theater: Classic Poetry, for example, includes such time-honored works as “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” by Goethe, “The City Mouse and the Garden Mouse” by Christina Rossetti, and “You Spotted Snakes” by Shakespeare.
Some Reader’s Theater scripts teach virtues. Works like “Deeds of Kindness” and “Try Again” from Reader’s Theater: Classic Poetry teach children about the value of kindness and perseverance.
Some scripts have spiritual benefits. Christian poems like “What Christ Said” and “It Was My Heavenly Father’s Love” from Reader’s Theater: Christian Poetry can inspire children with a love of God.
Reader’s Theater is a good activity for homeschool co-ops. Scripts can be rehearsed during the co-op time and performances can be scheduled in conjunction with other groups such as band and choir.
It’s fun! Performing Reader’s Theater is an enjoyable activity for children.
Keep in mind that Reader’s Theater scripts don’t always have to be read. They can also be recited from memory. In fact, in some professional performances of Reader’s Theater, parts are memorized and scripts may or may not be present. When considering which technique you are going to use, you can ask yourself these questions.
- What is my goal? Do I want the children to practice reading or reciting?
- How much time do I have? A performance using recitation takes more time to pull together since parts must be memorized.
- What is each child capable of? Can the child memorize a long part in time for a performance or would it be better for him to read it?
Both reading and reciting have their own educational benefits. It’s up to you to decide what you want for a particular performance.
If you are in need of Reader’s Theater scripts, I have a few available.
- Get my Reader’s Theater Poetry Sampler Scripts here. It has twelve scripts you can use.
- If you like vintage poems, you might be interested in our Reader’s Theater: Classic Poetry. It includes works by authors such as Louisa May Alcott, Emily Dickinson, and William Wordsworth.
- If you like Christian works, you might like our Reader’s Theater: Christian Poetry. It has pieces such as “Robinson’s Crusoe’s Hymn”, “The Lamb”, and “God is Good.”
I hope that you and your children have fun with Reader’s Theater.
P.S. If you would like some ideas on how to position the performers for a Reader’s Theater performance, I have some layouts in this post: How to Position Reader’s Theater Actors