“TEY theatre-makers employ practices from a variety of foundations: developmental, aesthetic, educational, pedagogical, musical. For some, the aim of the production is not directly linked to supporting development, instead placing emphasis on creating an engaging, enjoyable, and rich artistic experience. For others, the idea of producing theatre to support specific developmental stages may be the overall goal” (Drury & Fletcher-Watson, 2017, pp. 299–300)

In The infant audience: The impact and implications of child development research on performing arts practice for the very young (Drury & Fletcher-Watson, 2017), the authors describe how research into infant development has supported the emergence and development of the Theatre for the Very Young [TVY] (or Theatre for Early Years) movement. With an understanding of infants’ capabilities and ways of understanding the world, artists can create experiences for infants that are engaging and stimulating, and which capture their natural wonder. The video below is a great example of what TVY can be (Theatre Jacksonville, 2017).

(Theatre Jacksonville, 2017)

Drury and Fletcher-Watson (2017) described throughout their article how infants’ sensory abilities and preferences are different from adults’, and how many TVY performances engage children in multisensory ways. For example, based on research into infants’ olfactory sense (of smell), some companies use scents as part of their production. Another example is that many will also use props that are meant for the young audience to handle, interact with, and perhaps even put in their mouths. This is based on understandings of how children learn about the world, their differences in visual acuity, and the importance of tactile stimulus. Of course, artists would need to take safety and sanitary measures to ensure a safe and pleasurable experience.

Through careful attention to infants’ unique stage of development, artists can design multisensory experiences for young infants to engage their interest, and to support their development.

 

References

Drury, R. C., & Fletcher-Watson, B. (2017). The infant audience: The impact and implications of child development research on performing arts practice for the very young. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 15(3), 292–304. https://doi.org/10.1177/1476718X15614041

Theatre Jacksonville. (2017, January 28). THEATRE FOR BABIES. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72VCoXgntGI