Brief Description:

This study was a collaboration between the ECRC and the Blue Apple Players (BAP), an educational theater program in Louisville. Qualitative research methods of participant observation and interview were used to identify the learning opportunities for preschool children as they experienced a 2 10-week process drama residency at two different schools, including the University of Louisville's Early Learning Campus in which they joined BAP teaching artists to interactively tell the Jack and the Beanstalk folktale.

The results of this evaluation study indicate that the BAP Jack residency, and the manner in which it is shared with young children, accomplish many critical elements of early learning and preparation for kindergarten that are consistent with the Kentucky Early Childhood Standards and the NAEYC guidelines for developmentally appropriate practice. Prominent themes that emerged are (a) Movement within pretend increases engagement and joy; (b) Rituals increase comfort and thereby enable risktaking and self-efficacy, and (c) The world of storyand navigating real to pretend and back to real supports development of imagination, early literacy, and social emotional learning. Recommendations include opportunities for teacher professional development and further study, including clinical quantitative and longitudinal designs.

Publications:

Becoming the Story in the Joyful World of "Jack and the Beanstalk"
Author: Kathryn F. Whitmore