WHAT CAN CHILDREN DO AT THIS AGE?
Now that we have established a basic definition of what creative drama is, and its benefits, what activities will engage the students? If you are a practiced teacher you may know the capacities of your class. For those that work with several populations or may not be aware, here are some developmental benchmarks:

Age Ranges	What Children Like to Do	Creative Drama Connections
Ages 3-4	Ask "why" questions Talk about things Print in large letters	Teach cause and effect Make up stories Display signs
Ages 4-5	Get dressed on their own Practice social skills and manners Play games with directions Sing songs	Costume opportunities Interact as characters and model behaviors Warm-up activities and group management games Use songs related to your theme or story
Ages 5-6	Verbally express feelings Exaggerate and imagine Run, jump, follow directions	Explain character perspectives Introduction to fantasy and creativity Add a simple pantomime, or physical activity
Ages 6-7	Tell stories Build models Being independent	Improvise simple stories Create or define scenery in an acting space Begin individual character work and small group play
Ages 7-8	Express opinions Solve Problems Physically active	Evaluate a theme or plot conflict Propose different solutions to conflicts Add pantomime activities
Ages 8-9	Vocal play Play physically Express moods	Understand vocal qualities and character Choreograph a simple mime or dance Transfer mood to dramatic play
Ages 9-10	Compare themselves Perform responsibly Evaluate	Act out differences/similarities Small dramatic group work/scenes Become an evaluative audience
Ages 10-11	Interpret ideas Make artistic choices Interact Collaborate	Decode stories with hidden meanings Express values, feelings through visual art Explore hierarchies of life safely Group work toward an informal presentation

From Young Children and the Arts,
by The Task Force on Children's Learning,
and Arizona State Theatre Standards