b'Furthermore, a main reason behind this discussions growth in notoriety recently is due to theatre educations ongoing fight for legitimacy within society. It could beBolton, G. (1985). Changes in Thinking about Drama in Education. Theory in argued that, as theatre educations importance has been questioned by those Practice, 24(3), pp.151-157.outside of the arts world, a change of emphasis has happened (Pinkert, 2011: 120). As the positive outlets for emotional and developmental growth have beenBolton, G. (1993). Drama in education and TIE: A comparison. In: T. Jackson, noted, some feel that theatre technique has now become secondary and only aed., Learning Through Theatre: New Perspectives on Theatre. London: Rout-means towards the construction of a socially competent personality (Pinkert,ledge, pp.39-47.2011: 120). Droz-Kreutinger, M. (2018). Elementary Theater Programs and Benefits to Child Well-Being and Academic Success. NYS Child Welfare/Child Protective Ser-Matthew Reason reflects on how, as TiE turned to aid understanding in sectors likevices Training Institute. 15. Found at: https://digitalcommons.buffalostate.edu/social and health education, criticism has risen to suggest that theatrical qualitycwcpstriaininginstitute/15 Accessed 25th June, 2025.has been sacrificed as a consequence (2010: 5-6). Gavin Bolton sees placing allattention on the storyline - namely the educational plot points - as a method toFaull, E. (2020). The Impact of Theatre Performance in a school setting on Chil-distort the nature of dramatic form and remove the spontaneity of drens Learning. PhD Thesis. University of Exeter.self-expression created through acting (1985: 154). Others see drama classesFerrari, V.N. (2011). Ethics in Theatre/Drama Education. In: S. Schonmann, ed., as an artform and feel that this should be the main priority when teaching but doKey Concepts in Theatre/Drama Education. Rotterdam: Sense Publishers.believe that both aesthetics and education can be served equally when facilitated well (McCaslin, 2005: 12). Arguably, aesthetic achievement is how quality is meas- Goldstein, T. (2024). Why Theatre Education Matters: Understanding Its Cogni-ured within the arts, therefore strong aesthetics, as well as secure educationaltive, Social and Emotional Benefits. New York: Teachers College Press.standing, should be intrinsic to any high-quality TiE or more general youth theatreIoannou, S., Key, A.P., Muscatello, R.A., Klemencic, M. and Corbett, B.A. (2020). programme. Thus, it could be claimed that the pedagogical value of arts educationPeer Actors and Theater Techniques Play Pivotal Roles in Improving Social Play is within the aesthetical dimension (Ferrari, 2011: 74). and Anxiety for Children with Autism. Frontiers in Psychology. May 27. Found at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7269006/pdf/fpsyg-11-00908.pdf In each of its forms, the clear suggestion would be to find the balance betweenAccessed 25th June, 2025.the aesthetic and the educational value, but, as always with theatre, it quicklyKim, A., Stembridge, S., Lawrence, C., Torres, V., Miodrag, N., Lee, J. and Boyns, becomes highly subjective. It is not for me, or an applied theatre practitioner, toD. (2015). Neurodiversity on the stage: The Effects of Inclusive Theatre on clearly define where educational value compromises artistic form, but rather aYouth with Autism. International Journal of Education and Social Science, 2(9), space for the individual children to create their own experience and opinion aspp.27-39.they remain the ones who fully quantify their own development. Both aspects play a key role in theatre education, as themes and plot lines can directly teach about aMcCaslin, N. (2005). Seeking the Aesthetic in Creative Drama and Theatre for specific idea, while aesthetics can aid the development of cultural understandingYoung Audiences. The Journal of Aesthetic Education, 39(4), pp.12-19.which ultimately plays into the social development of a child or young person.Nicholson, H. (2009). Theatre and Education. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.OToole, J. (1976). Theatre In Education: New objectives for theatre-new tech-In a time where funding cuts are threatening arts education and diminishing theniques in education. London: Hodder and Stoughton.opportunities available to children, it is vital that the joy, immense value andlasting impact of experiencing theatre at a young age are acknowledged and Pinkert, U. (2011). The Concept of Theatre in Theatre Pedagogy. In: S. Schon-appreciated (Faull, 2020: 330). mann, ed., Key Concepts in Theatre/Drama Education. Rotterdam: Sense Publishers.Reason, M. (2010). The Young Audience: Exploring and Enhancing Childrens Experiences of Theatre. Stoke-on-Trent: Trentham Books.Thompson, B.N. and Goldstein, T.R. (2022). Observing the developmental pro-gression of pretend play across the preschool years. Journal of Cognition and Development, 23(4), pp. 482-502.24 25'