Theater play at school: reflections on Vygotsky

Abstract

This paper is based on Vygotsky’s ideas about the importance of social interaction and art on human development: it is inferred that cognitive dimension and affectivity are involved. Discusses the performance of theat­rical activities at school as an educational practice that motivates learning, social interaction and subject’s personal expression. The theater is an artistic form that privileges the use of language and promotes the development of imagination and generalizing thought. As a collective activity, the theater promotes a special form of interaction and cooperation between subjects. The theater motivates the students for learning and allows them to build their own knowledge. One understands that is possible to promote student’s learning and development through theatrical activity and language.

Keywords: Vygotsky; art education; theater at school; social interaction; affectivity.