A commitment to innovation and sustainability
INTERNATIONAL DRAMATISTS ASSOCIATION, affiliated with the Da Vinci Education Foundation, specializes in Drama in Transpersonal Psychology (DITP) for children aged 3 to 8. Under the leadership of Dr. Liu Jiawei, we employ dramatic arts to enrich narrative thinking, helping children delve into and expand their knowledge through engaging storytelling. Our curriculum, crafted by Dr. Liu Jiawei, fosters independent thinking and equips children with the confidence to navigate both external and internal worlds effectively.
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Creative Drama Education
Mission Statement:
Our mission, developed by Dr. Liu Jiawei, is to revolutionize how children think and learn by integrating drama in transpersonal psychology into our educational approach. We aim to develop children’s narrative and critical thinking skills, enhancing their understanding of complex social, familial, and ecological issues. We strive to nurture a generation of creative thinkers who are prepared to lead transformative changes in society.
Vision Statement:
Guided by Dr. Liu Jiawei’s visionary insights, we envision a world where every child, regardless of background, has access to innovative educational experiences that promote profound personal growth. Through drama in transpersonal psychology, we aim to use creative arts as a bridge to knowledge, empathy, and empowerment, cultivating children who excel as compassionate, informed, and proactive global citizens.
Current Projects
Scholarship Program
Aligned with the goals of the Da Vinci Education Foundation, we provide scholarships to underprivileged children, enabling access to top educational opportunities at institutions like California University and Golden Gate College.
Mental Health and Life Coaching
We support not only academic excellence but also focus on mental well-being and life skills, helping children and families navigate personal and professional challenges effectively.
Core Values and Services:
- Unique Educational Philosophy: Our approach, emphasizing creativity and the learning process, includes Dr. Liu Jiawei’s pioneering methods in drama and transpersonal psychology, aimed at stimulating imagination and fostering independence in thought.
- Distinguished Faculty: Comprising international experts extensively trained in transpersonal psychology and educational drama, dedicated to advancing child psychology and behavioral development
- Effective Pedagogy: We cherish the natural creativity and curiosity of each child, promoting a joyful learning process that encourages open thought and expression.
- The Crucible Paradigm in Teaching: Our child-centered teaching methodology places significant emphasis on faculty development, where teachers and students engage as co-learners in a dynamic classroom setting.
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- Personalized Learning: We maintain an optimal student-teacher ratio, designing tailored educational experiences that ensure personal attention and developmental support for each child.
- The Seriousness of Play: We recognize the critical importance of play in development, an often-overlooked aspect in modern education, ensuring it is a serious part of our curriculum.
- Lifelong Impact: Our programs are designed to equip children with essential life skills—such as original thinking, empathy, problem-solving, and effective communication—that positively influence their communities throughout their lives.
- Creatively Inspiring Environment: We pride ourselves on providing a high-quality, creatively stimulating environment that adheres to a child-centric philosophy, making our school a nurturing space for growth and exploration.
Drama in Transpersonal Psychology Centre
Jiawei Liu
3-8 yr. Children- Exploration in a Drama World
At the INTERNATIONAL DRAMATISTS ASSOCIATION, our Drama in Transpersonal Psychology (DITP) center engages children aged 3 to 8 years old through the transformative power of storytelling and dramatic play. Under the leadership of Dr. Liu Jiawei, we employ drama not only as a method of education but also as an exploratory tool within the realms of transpersonal psychology, emphasizing the development of each child as an individual with unique human experiences.
Drama serves as a profound medium in our curriculum, enabling children to understand themselves and the world around them. In Dr. Liu Jiawei’s innovative approach, transpersonal psychology serves as the foundational theory, exploring the internal relationships between transpersonal psychology and the drama performance of actors. By utilizing Phenomenology and Hermeneutics, this approach facilitates the intervention of transpersonal psychological methods in acting, focusing on their effects on the performance of actors.
Transpersonal psychology, a branch of humanistic psychology that emerged in the mid-1960s in America, extends beyond the conventional personal or individual levels, aiming for development that transcends the ‘self’ and is centered on universal rather than merely human needs and interests. It is considered the fourth major school of psychology, following behaviorism, psychoanalysis, and humanistic psychology. This field considers ‘transpersonal’ aspects as drivers of identity and existence, promoting a general state of transcendence and a limited experience of the ‘self.’
In line with the phenomenological research principles, our methodology at the center is consistently interwoven with theoretical and methodological procedures that combine transcendental phenomenology, existential phenomenology, and critical hermeneutics. This integration includes the philosophical frameworks of Husserl, Heidegger, Merleau-Ponty, Gadamer, and the critical hermeneutics of Ricoeur, emphasizing a phenomenological practice that closely aligns with these theoretical frameworks.
At our center, the process of understanding ‘What is Acting?’ is pursued through reflective research conversations between performers and Dr. Liu Jiawei, supplemented by the observation of daily experiences. This methodological approach, deeply embedded in phenomenological and hermeneutic traditions, focuses not only on gathering data but on analyzing and reflecting upon this data to reveal the essence of acting as a phenomenon.
Through this comprehensive educational and research approach, we aim to empower children to become not only imaginative and independent critical thinkers but also active participants in their communities, nurturing their strengths and supporting their development holistically. The INTERNATIONAL DRAMATISTS ASSOCIATION is dedicated to providing a transformative educational experience that prepares children for lifelong personal and societal engagement.
Fostering Self-awareness Through Creative Expression
In our imaginative and secure ‘stage,’ children are invited by our facilitators to engage in participatory storylines that mimic real-life challenges. This setting, inspired by Dr. Liu Jiawei’s approach in Drama in Transpersonal Psychology, encourages children to navigate complex situations and create personal interpretations. Through drama, they develop critical personal values that are essential for resilience, independent thought, and empathetic understanding. Engaging with these structured dramatic experiences, children learn to understand themselves and others, honing their ability to responsibly handle life’s various scenarios.
Drama for Insight and Transformation
Through drama, children explore and understand themselves and the world around them. Participating and observing in dramatic activities helps develop higher psychological functions and enhances their capacity for personal change.
Let Children Explore and Dream
Through imaginative play, children gain the ability to view and comprehend the world from various perspectives. By transcending the immediate and the tangible, they envision potential future realities. Imagination enriches rational thinking, enhancing its flexibility, creativity, and humanistic value, fostering a deeper understanding of themselves and others.
Fostering Collaboration and Understanding
As communities become more insular with fewer opportunities for children to interact, the importance of learning social skills is paramount. In the nurturing environment of our Drama Rainbow Education community, children engage in fictional scenarios that teach them to listen to and empathize with others. They learn to express themselves, share their experiences, tackle new challenges, manage conflicts, and solve problems. The skills developed through drama are not just for the stage—they translate directly to real-life situations, empowering children to become proactive, responsible young citizens who are ready to contribute positively to their communities and the broader future.
Child-Centric Creativity
Creativity belongs to everyone, not just to geniuses or artists. Unlocking this creative potential involves transforming our ways of thinking. By prioritizing children’s needs and development at our Centre, we create environments that encourage children to reimagine their thought processes. Our skilled educational drama teacher-facilitators work closely with families, helping them recognize and appreciate the unique creativity and value of each child. This approach not only fosters individual expression but also nurtures a broader understanding of creativity as an integral part of personal growth.
FAQ
- How will the teacher guide my child who is not verbally active?
- Do young children need to explore deep topics in drama?
- What is educational drama and what is its purpose?
- How is the teaching system formed? (What is the difference between different age groups?)
- What kind of change will children undergo at the INTERNATIONAL DRAMATISTS ASSOCIATION’s Drama in Transpersonal Psychology (DITP) Centre?
Becoming a Drama in Education Facilitator at the INTERNATIONAL DRAMATISTS ASSOCIATION
At the INTERNATIONAL DRAMATISTS ASSOCIATION, we understand that effective teaching in Drama in Transpersonal Psychology (DITP) necessitates that every teacher is also a learner. To support this, our Teaching & Learning Centre has committed to rigorous and continuous internal training, complemented by thorough observations, evaluations, and analysis of our teaching practices. These initiatives have empowered us to develop an extensive range of training products tailored specifically for educators involved in DITP.
Our training programs are designed to cater to educators across various stages of education—from kindergarten through to secondary schools. These offerings are crucial for the propagation and development of DITP across educational settings. Since its inception, our centre has garnered over three decades of international experience in DITP and ten years of localized teaching expertise in China, continually developing our teacher training initiatives since 2012.
Teacher Development and Training
Our teacher development plan is geared towards cultivating a new generation of educators and drama practitioners who are well-versed in the theories of DITP. This plan is aimed at bridging the existing gaps between educational policy makers and ground-level practitioners. The focal areas of our teacher development include:
·Independent thinking and learning
·Creativity and problem-solving
·Critical thinking and personal expression
·Social development and drama-specific skills
·These targeted areas ensure that our educators are not only well-·prepared to teach but are also adept at applying DITP principles ·effectively within their classrooms.
Customized Training Programs
Our curriculum is dynamic and adjusts to meet the evolving needs of both the educators and the students. By starting with the needs of the children present, rather than a rigid curriculum on paper, we tailor our educational approaches to enhance both learning and teaching experiences. This flexibility allows us to address specific needs such as boosting confidence through role assignments or enhancing listening skills through participative activities.
Furthermore, recognizing the need for continuous improvement and adaptation, our centre also emphasizes the importance of creative and imaginative teaching. This approach is supported by our ongoing development of training modules that encourage teachers to explore innovative teaching methods and engage deeply with the transpersonal aspects of drama education.
By fostering a learning environment where educators are continuously evolving and adapting their skills, the INTERNATIONAL DRAMATISTS ASSOCIATION ensures that both teachers and students can thrive in a mutually enriching educational landscape. Our commitment to comprehensive teacher development within DITP not only enhances the educational experiences of our students but also sets a high standard for drama education globally.