Children making up an opera? Of course they can! As Mister Rogers says, "An opera is just a story for which you sing the words, instead of say them."

Getting Started

You could lead the children into this activity by singing your words, instead of talking. Can you sing, "Let's think of a story for our opera....What do you like to make up stories about? Who do you like to pretend to be?" Can they sing their answer back to you?

Like the neighbors in Make-Believe often do, the children could begin by deciding on an idea for their opera story. Or, sometimes in Make-Believe the story grows out of the parts each one wants to play. Do the children have particular characters, people, or animals they like to pretend to be?

Encouraging Pretending

If the children can't think of a story idea, you could remind them of the things you've seen them pretend about, like a family at bedtime, a grocery story with customers, or ambulance drivers taking someone or a stuffed animal to the hospital. To add an appreciation of literacy, you could ask them to tell you the story, while you write it out and then read it back to them. Help them choose what role to play. Some might be content to be in the audience. Simple props, like crowns, briefcases, spoons or straws can invite imaginative opera play. So can fancy dress-up costumes.

Of course, the most important way you encourage children in their creative play is by your appreciation of whatever they do -- however long or short, simple or elaborate their ideas may be.

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