Preparation of early childhood educators (ECE) via drama and acting

• Main Author: Abd Latiff, Z.
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: LB Theory and practice of education
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/13590/1/0001.pdf; http://eprints.um.edu.my/13590/

This two-part paper will try to address how Early Childhood Educators (ECE) can benefit from drama and the ways and means of how an Actor prepares. The first part of the paper will deal with the rationale for utilizing drama and the preparation of an Actor to prepare ECE. It will also discuss the symbiotic relationship between fields of Education and Drama, thus the Educator and the Actor. The second part of the paper will try to demonstrate how the ECE can be Obtain through the ZAL Method of training. Actors are trained to obtain several Awareness - Awareness of Self, Awareness of Other Selves, Awareness of Space (Surrounding), Awareness of Movement, an awareness of Tempo (Timing). In order to achieve the above Awareness, an actor goes through seven components of exercises, vis-a-vis Relaxation, Concentration, Imagination, the 5 Senses, Voice, Movement, and intellect. In short, the Actor/Educator will be trained to be aware of his/her physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Quotient. After this talk, it is potential sincere hope that ECE will become more aware of his/her further potentials and qualities as an Actor/Actresses (Performer), and take further steps to be a better ECE. In the long run, teaching and learning will be fun. Educators will enjoy educating, and learners (children) will look forward to Learning.