Social and emotional drama activities for children can help children explore feelings, relationships, confidence, empathy, friendship, change and self-expression through play, movement and role.
This hub brings together Drama Start workshops, games, stories and articles that support social and emotional learning in early years, primary classrooms, drama groups and other settings for children.
Exploring Emotions Through Drama
- Exploring Emotions Through Drama: Practical Activities for the Early Years
- Exploring Emotions: Drama Workshop for Ages 4–7
- The Red Shoes: Drama Workshop on Emotions
- Exploring Happiness: Drama Workshop for Young Children
Confidence and Self-Esteem
- Drama Activities to Build Children’s Confidence
- Group Activities to Support Children’s Self-Esteem
- The Power of Play: How Drama Boosts Children’s Development
Empathy, Friendship and Relationships
- Drama Workshop: Empathy and Gratitude with The Little Match Girl
- The Monkey and the Crocodile Drama Workshop, Ages 7–9
- Drama Workshop: The Crane and the Peacock
- The Four Friends and the Hunter: Five-Minute Play Script
Gratitude, Kindness and Positive Emotions
- Gratitude Drama Workshop for Children
- The Buddha and the Beggar Man: Children’s Play
- Drama Workshop Plan: The Christmas Angel
Change, Grief and Difficult Feelings
- A Therapeutic Story About Grief for a Four-Year-Old
- The Journey of a Seed – Life and Death: A Movement Story
- Therapeutic Benefits of Clay in Play Therapy
- Packing My School Bag: Drama Game for Transitions
Inclusive Social and Emotional Drama
- Inclusive Drama Activities for Children
- Creative Drama Activities for Preschool Children
- Inquiry-Based Drama in the Early Years
More Drama Start Resources
You can also explore the Drama Workshops for Children, Drama Games for Children and Free Children’s Play Scripts hubs.
For more practical drama ideas focused on feelings, emotional expression and social development, explore Drama Start: Exploring Emotions.
