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Literacy has long been one of the most important pillars of modern education in Australia, and it’s a classic for a reason! Alongside traditional methods, one alternative technique is gaining traction in Australia for its ability to engage students and enhance learning outcomes – Improv!
The primary principles of improvisation or “improv” are quick thinking, communication and active listening. These principles have a huge impact on literacy development, with studies highlighting how improv fosters a confidence in articulating ideas coherently, engaging in meaningful dialogue and effective communication.
Not only can improv help us communicate, but to communicate with IMAGINATION! Participation and engaging in improv encourages students to think outside the box, be creative and construct narratives on the spot. Literacy isn’t all grammar and structure – it’s also about an inherent ability to create.
Once upon a time, writing a story used to be an incredibly solitary task. In today’s ultra-connected world, collaboration and teamwork are essential skills – and working together effectively can make all the difference. Improvisation provides the perfect platform for collaboration in a safe, supportive and inclusive environment.
Normally when we speak about the importance of literacy, we’re concerned with academia, however, literacy development also requires a foundation of self-confidence and resilience. Think about just how safe you felt as a young child, playing pretend, to come up with new and exciting ideas with your friends! Improv provides a safe space for students to step out of their comfort zones, take risks, and overcome challenges.
Improv opens doors to magical worlds that we never knew existed, while providing a fantastic platform for educational development! So why not try improv as a new technique for enhancing literacy skills? By improving communication, creativity, teamwork, resilience and more, improv enables little ones to become the next generation of passionate readers and writers.
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