As speech-language pathologists, we continuously seek innovative methods to enhance the narrative skills of our young clients. A recent study titled Teenagers Tell Better Stories After Improvisational Theater Courses sheds light on an exciting approach: improvisational theater (improv). This study reveals that teenagers who participated in improv courses showed significant improvements in their narrative coherence compared to those who engaged in traditional written theater.
Here’s a breakdown of the key findings and how you can implement these insights in your practice:
Key Findings
- Improved Coherence: Teenagers in the improv group exhibited higher coherence in their narratives, meaning their stories were more logically structured and easier to follow.
- Vocabulary Richness: Although not statistically significant, there was a trend towards improved vocabulary richness among the improv group.
How to Implement Improv in Your Practice
Integrating improv into your therapy sessions can be both fun and beneficial for your clients. Here are some practical steps to get started:
1. Start with Simple Games
- Zip Zap Zop: A classic improv game where participants pass an imaginary energy ball while saying "Zip," "Zap," or "Zop." This helps with focus and quick thinking.
- Yes, And: Encourage students to build on each other's ideas by always responding with "Yes, and..." This fosters creativity and narrative coherence.
2. Focus on Storytelling
- Story Building: Have students create a story from scratch based on a prompt. This can be done individually or as a group activity.
- Character Development: Ask students to embody different characters and create dialogues. This enhances their understanding of narrative structure and character interactions.
3. Incorporate Physicality
- Body Language: Use exercises that require students to express emotions and actions through body language. This helps in making their stories more vivid and engaging.
- Spatial Awareness: Activities like mimicking animals or objects can improve spatial awareness and descriptive language.
Encouraging Further Research
While the findings are promising, more research is needed to fully understand the impact of improv on various aspects of language development. Here are some areas to explore:
- Cognitive Profiles: Assessing the cognitive profiles of participants can provide insights into how different cognitive abilities influence narrative skills improvement.
- Long-Term Impact: Investigating the long-term effects of improv training on narrative skills and overall language development.
- Comparative Studies: Comparing the impact of individual versus group improv exercises can help refine therapeutic approaches.
By incorporating improv into your therapy sessions, you can create a dynamic and engaging environment that fosters narrative skill development. Moreover, this approach can be adapted for use by teachers and parents, making it a versatile tool for enhancing language skills outside of the clinical setting.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Teenagers Tell Better Stories After Improvisational Theater Courses.
