Drama as an Agent for Change: drama, behaviour and students with emotional and behavioural difficulties

Abstract The increasing concern for children whose behaviour is problematic for teachers has become an international problem. Strategies for modifying behaviours should become an essential antidote to the increasing exclusion of pupils from schools. This action research gives a clear, structured account of drama as an agent for changing behaviours in the educational situation, and is an innovatory drama programme which has a universal appeal and can be adapted for preschool, primary, or secondary age ranges. The research aims have been devised, rooted in grounded theory, and heavily weighted to develop the personal and social skills of students. Objectives include: strengthening the pupils’ information base, enhancing the pupils’ educational problem‐solving, and encouraging pupils to adopt positive attitudes in order to develop more consistent positive behaviour. Behaviours are to do with relationships: students creating problems for themselves and others through inappropriate behaviours need to widen the...