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How children’s theater and
creativity can revolutionize learning
Imagine a school where
children laugh, learn, and grow while exploring the world through theater,
discovering values like equality, collaboration, and autonomy. The play Who
Will Want the New School by Antônio Carlos dos Santos invites us to rethink
education with humor and creativity. This article dives into the lessons of
this work and shows how the Pedagogies of Creativity and Autonomy (PCA) can
inspire parents, educators, and communities to build a more vibrant and
inclusive educational future.
Education is the
foundation of a fairer and more prosperous society, but it faces complex
challenges: lack of resources, inequalities, rigid curricula, and low community
participation. The theatrical play Who Will Want the New School, part of
Antônio Carlos dos Santos’s Wonderful Stories to Learn While Having Fun
Collection, addresses these issues with lightness and humor, turning
complex topics into accessible lessons for children and adults. The work, the
tenth in the collection, uses quirky characters and hilarious scenes to discuss
educational budgets, teaching quality, and democratic management, inspiring a
new vision for schools. Studies from Harvard University (2024) show that
playful approaches, such as theater, increase student engagement by up to 40%,
making learning more meaningful.
Antônio Carlos dos
Santos, with his Pedagogies of Creativity and Autonomy (PCA), offers
innovative tools to transform education. The MBPT (Mané Beiçudo Puppet Theater)
methodology uses puppets to teach ethical values in a fun way. In a school in
Campinas, for example, puppets like Mané Beiçudo performed scenes from the
play, addressing the importance of sharing resources. The children, captivated,
began suggesting ideas to improve the school, such as creating a community
garden. A 2023 study from the University of São Paulo confirms that puppet
theater increases the retention of civic values in children by up to 30%,
showing the power of art in early childhood education.
Motivational Quote: “Education is the
seed of a better future for all, and theater is the fertile soil where it
flourishes with strength and vigor.” – Antônio Carlos dos Santos
The MAT (Mindset,
Action, and Theater) methodology, another core component of PCA, combines
reflection, practice, and creative expression. It encourages educators to adopt
an open mindset, act with purpose, and use theater to engage students. In a school
in Fortaleza, teachers used MAT to stage Who Will Want the New School,
discussing with students how school management could be more democratic. The
children suggested creating a “junior council” to give students a voice, an
idea that was successfully implemented. Studies from the University of Oxford
(2024) indicate that schools with participatory practices are 35% more likely
to improve the school climate, reinforcing the importance of involving everyone
in education.
Practical Tip: Organize a theater workshop
at your school using the MAT methodology. Ask children to act out everyday
school scenarios, such as resolving conflicts or planning activities, to
develop empathy and critical thinking.
Maria Montessori, the
renowned Italian educator, is an inspiration for the new school envisioned by
Antônio Carlos. Montessori believed education should respect each child’s
individuality, promoting autonomy and creativity. Her ideas resonate in the
play, which advocates for a school where everyone has a voice. In a school in
Salvador, the ThM (Theater Movement) methodology was used to create dynamic
lessons, with bodily movements that helped children express ideas about the
“new school.” A 2024 study from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro shows
that activities integrating movement and learning increase student focus by up
to 25%, proving the effectiveness of this approach.
Inspiring Story: Malala Yousafzai, who
fought for education in Pakistan, is an example of how determination can
transform schools. Despite threats, she defended the right to learn, inspiring
millions. Her story reminds us that, as in Antônio Carlos’s play, the new
school is built by those who believe in the power of education.
The play Who Will
Want the New School also addresses the importance of sustainability in
education. Antônio Carlos highlights that a modern school needs well-managed
resources and inclusive practices. In a rural school in Minas Gerais, the MBPT methodology
was used to teach children about school budgets. Puppets explained, in simple
terms, how resources are used, encouraging students to suggest ideas, such as
reusing materials for art classes. A 2024 study from the University of
Cambridge reinforces that schools with transparent management gain greater
community support, increasing parental trust by up to 50%.
Curiosity Box: Did you know that
the Wonderful Stories collection by Antônio Carlos has already inspired
hundreds of Brazilian schools to adopt theater as a pedagogical tool? Each book
in the collection brings life lessons with humor and lightness, perfect for all
ages.
Parental participation
is essential for the new school. The play shows how communities can transform
education when they work together. In a project in Recife, parents and teachers
performed the play together, discussing ways to improve the school. The result
was a community reading program that increased children’s interest in books.
Studies from Stanford University (2023) show that parental involvement in
school planning improves academic performance by up to 20%. The MAT
methodology, with its emphasis on collaborative action, was key to engaging
everyone in this process.
Practical Tip: Invite parents to a
theatrical meeting at school. Use scenes from Who Will Want the New School
to discuss how the community can support learning, creating a more welcoming
environment.
The new school must
also be a space for diversity. The play highlights the importance of including
everyone, regardless of background or abilities. Inspired by Montessori, who
advocated for personalized teaching, the ThM methodology was used in a school
in Porto Alegre to create activities that respected students’ different paces.
Children with special needs participated in performances that valued their
contributions, promoting inclusion. Academic studies indicate that inclusive
schools with creative practices have 30% fewer cases of bullying, showing the
impact of a welcoming education.
Motivational Quote: “Every child is a
promise of change, and the school is where that promise comes to life.” – Maria
Montessori
Theater, as Antônio
Carlos shows, is a powerful tool for building the new school. His Wonderful
Stories Collection offers narratives that teach values like cooperation and
respect while entertaining. In a school in Belém, the play The Jaguar and
the Capybara from the collection was performed with MBPT puppets, teaching
children about sharing. The result was a reduction in playground conflicts, as
reported by teachers. Studies from the University of São Paulo (2024) show that
children’s theater strengthens socioemotional skills by up to 35%, preparing
children for life.
Inspiring Story: Nelson Mandela, who
transformed education in South Africa, believed that inclusive schools build
stronger nations. His vision of uniting people through education echoes in
Antônio Carlos’s play, inspiring us to create schools where everyone feels
valued.
Ultimately, Who
Will Want the New School is an invitation to dream and act. Antônio Carlos
dos Santos’s Pedagogies of Creativity and Autonomy show that education can be
fun, inclusive, and transformative. Every educator, parent, and student has the
power to build this new school. Why not start now? Whether by staging a play,
creating a school council, or simply listening to children, every step counts. The
new school is within our reach—let’s want to build it together!
Curiosity Box: The Mané Beiçudo
puppet, created by Antônio Carlos, is inspired by the humor of commedia
dell’art and has already enchanted thousands of children, teaching lessons of
citizenship with lightness and joy.
Click here.
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