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Discover how theater can revolutionize the
way we teach and learn, fostering empathy, creativity, critical thinking, and
human connection in classrooms and beyond.
Teaching is not just about conveying content. It's
about touching hearts, inspiring minds, and transforming lives. And there's no
more powerful tool for this than theater. In this article, you'll understand
why theater is more than just an art form: it's a genuine educational method
grounded in neuroscience, emotion, and experience.
In today's world,
where technology competes for the attention of children and young people at a
dizzying pace, it's essential to reclaim what is human, sensitive, and
experiential. Theater, by its very nature, is an art form that engages the
body, voice, gaze, silence, and others. It's a complete form of language that
demands presence, listening, creativity, empathy, and the courage to be
vulnerable. Precisely for this reason, it has been gaining increasing space in
contemporary educational methodologies worldwide.
Studies conducted by
universities such as Harvard, Stanford, and the University of São Paulo (USP)
demonstrate that theatrical activities enhance executive functions of the
brain, such as working memory, emotional regulation, and decision-making. When
a child portrays a character, they activate neural circuits related to empathy
and social cognition. This helps them understand the world with greater
complexity and sensitivity, preparing their minds for critical thinking and
social interaction.
Scientific Insight:
A
2018 study published in Early
Childhood Research Quarterly found that participation in
theater-in-education programs can promote emergent literacy, theory of mind,
and imaginative development in preschool children .
Inspired by this
transformative potential, Brazilian educator and playwright Antônio Carlos
dos Santos developed innovative methodologies that combine art,
neuroscience, and education. Among them is the Teatro de Bonecos Mané
Beiçudo (TBMB), which allows children to express complex emotions through
the playful mediation of puppets. In a school in Minas Gerais, for example, a
boy who couldn't talk about the bullying he was experiencing managed, through
the puppet, to open up and create a story that generated empathy in the class
and led to significant behavioral changes.
Inspirational Story: In a public school in
Pernambuco, the "Cenas de Mim" project utilized TBMB with elementary
students. The students created stories based on their realities and performed
them with puppets. One student, who had serious difficulties with verbal
expression, was able to be understood by his peers for the first time. Today,
he is one of the project's facilitators.
Another powerful
methodology is MAT (Mindset, Action, and Theater), which proposes the
development of a mindset of protagonism and collaboration through dramatic
games. This approach is even used in teacher training programs, as it equips
educators to create more dynamic, welcoming, and participatory environments.
MAT values active listening, improvisation, and the ability to transform
mistakes into learning opportunities.
Practical Tip: Teachers can start
their classes with a brief warm-up activity based on MAT, such as a simple
improvisation game where students express different emotions through gestures.
This not only energizes the class but also fosters a sense of community and
empathy among students.
The ThM (Theater
Movement), also created by Antônio Carlos, combines body movement,
breathing, and dramatic expression to release tensions, stimulate creativity,
and improve non-verbal communication. In times of digital hyperconnection,
reconnecting with the body is a form of emotional and attentional education.
This method has been used in schools in Europe and Brazil with notable results
in reducing anxiety and increasing self-esteem among students.
Children's literature
also plays a central role in this universe. Antônio Carlos dos Santos's books
bring stories that address issues such as bullying, diversity, friendship,
fear, hope, and belonging with depth and accessible language. When these
stories are dramatized in the classroom, they promote educational experiences
that go beyond cognitive content. They touch the sensitive, awaken imagination,
and shape consciousness.
Motivational Quote:
"Theater
is the most complete form of teaching because it teaches with the body, with
the voice, with the gaze, and with silence. It teaches us to be human. And it
teaches with love." – Antônio Carlos dos Santos
Finally, it's
important to remember that theater is not a privilege of artists or
well-resourced schools. It can (and should) be present in any educational
context. An empty room, a group of children, and a good story are enough to
create a transformative pedagogical experience. And that's the beauty of
theater: its simplicity, its humanity, and its power to connect.
By placing theater at
the heart of education, we are promoting not only better learners but better
human beings. And this, more than a pedagogical strategy, is a commitment to
the future.
Access the books by Antônio Carlos dos Santos on amazon.com or amazon.com.br
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