Tutored‐Untutored Dramatic Play: Similarities and Differences

Abstract

Untutored dramatic play is the children's free undirected play, where they adopt roles real or imaginary, using symbols: to represent real beings (e.g., mothers) objects (e.g., telephones) that are not presented; or to represent imaginary beings (e.g., witches) and objects (e.g., magic hat). Tutored dramatic play or creative drama is the dramatic play which is directed by a flexible teacher, who helps children to develop their imagination, or to encourage their creativity through various and appropriate dramatic exercises. Untutored and tutored dramatic play have differences in many ways; a) in the spontaneity that children have in playing, b) in the inconsistency of playing, c) in the amount of props that children use in play, d) in the using improvised or not dialogue, e) in the need of having an audience, and f) in the guiding of the story by different individuals (children or teacher). However, activities have some important similarities: that both involve interaction, transformation and imagination, and serve the child's artistic, emotional and intellectual needs.

Key Word:

• Untutored
• tutored
• dramatic play
• similarities
• differences