Browsing by Author "Hurri, Meira"

The purpose of this study was to gather information on what kind of experiences there are from the use of drama education in the Finnish early childhood education and pre-school education. The objective was to review existing studies, about the use of drama education from the perspective of children’s participation. The research problem was to find out how children's participation takes place and how kindergarten teacher supports children's participation in drama. Principles of drama education can be seen as supporting children's participation, but research data on its use in kindergartens is scarce. The purpose of this study is to increase knowledge about drama education benefits in supporting children's participation and to encourage kindergarten teachers to use drama education in their own work. Systematic literature review policies have been used in this study. Final studies for the literature review were selected using acceptance and exclusion criteria. The final studies are three Finnish doctoral studies. All the doctoral studies are individual case studies of the use of drama education in kindergarten. The original material was examined from the perspective of the research questions. They were analysed using content analysis methods, and the results were compiled together. All primary studies showed that drama was supporting children’s participation. Drama activities were characterized by children's opportunity to contribute, of children’s and adults’ collaboration, sense of community and the opportunity for individual participation. From kindergarten teacher the drama education required good pedagogic skills, commitment in the planning and implementation of the drama, daring to indulge in drama and courage to let go of the traditional authority position, flexibility, presence and sensitivity. The length of processes and kindergarten teachers’ previous experiences in the use of drama influenced in the results. The basis of this literature review was that drama education is a good way to enable child’s experience of participation and enhance a sense of community in the kindergarten.