Audio drama workshops for children
Ann develops and delivers audio drama workshops for primary school children. Most recently, Ann delivered her workshops at the Children’s Book Festival 2019 and Cruinniú na nÓg 2019. As well as festivals, Ann has also presented her workshops in libraries and schools with funded projects such as Artist in School Scheme (Cork County Council).. The aims of the workshops are to develop literacy, improve listening skills and inspire a love of storytelling.
The workshops are designed to fit in with the existing primary school curriculum and with the existing methodologies, while at the same time engaging the children in a fun and interactive way.
By introducing children to the world of audio books and audio drama, they are given an opportunity to improve their listening skills, and to enhance the development of their imagination, without the constant reliance on visual stimulation. The workshops have been greeted with great enthusiasm by both children and teachers. For bookings or further inquiries, go to Contacts page.
The workshops are designed to fit in with the existing primary school curriculum and with the existing methodologies, while at the same time engaging the children in a fun and interactive way.
By introducing children to the world of audio books and audio drama, they are given an opportunity to improve their listening skills, and to enhance the development of their imagination, without the constant reliance on visual stimulation. The workshops have been greeted with great enthusiasm by both children and teachers. For bookings or further inquiries, go to Contacts page.
Workshop ActivitiesOnce the children have listened to the audio drama, Ann chats with them about her stories, first how they develop as a piece of writing and then as a piece of audio.
After lots of discussion and opportunities to ask questions, some fun activities begin! Some children work on illustrations of their favourite characters or scenes from the audio drama. Others write a few lines of dialogue, either to fit in with the story or with a new twist, or even a different ending! Ann brings along some everyday objects to create some innovative sound effects as well as her voice recorder. The children have lots of fun mimicking the characters’ voices, recording their own dialogue, creating sfx and sound diaries! |
What children think“When I grow up, I want to be an accountant AND an illustrator!”
“Most of us around this table don’t play together out in the yard because we like to do different things, but this was fun, doing something together and we could all enjoy it.” “I loved the different characters and their voices but funniest of all was the fart noise!!” "I think the Princess speaks to plants and looks after them." "Breezy Bill will be sad when the Flower leaves the meadow." "I liked the Old Oak Tree because I like oak." |
WHAT Teachers think“Even in schools like ours where Mindfulness is being used we will have huge difficulties getting children to sit and listen and take something in.”
“This type of exercise was excellent and I will definitely use audio clips/books more in the future.” “It helped them develop their creative ideas. It helped them to promote empathy with the ideas, attitudes and feelings of others.” “It fits in well to the methodologies and in fact may highlight some of the methodologies we often ignore.” It's definitely valuable in terms of increasing their vocabulary and helping with their comprehension skills." |