Children’s theatre art as a mechanism for transmitting traditional values in the modern educational environment of China

Abstract

The article examines how children’s theatre art helps to transmit traditional values within the modern educational environment of China. It describes the historical stages in the development of children’s theatre – from puppet and shadow performances to traditional Peking opera – and its role in moral education and in shaping the cultural identity of children. It is shown that participation in theatrical activity develops children’s emotional intelligence, communication skills and creative thinking, and also promotes their social adaptation. The article analyses the ways in which theatrical practices are integrated into school and supplementary education in the PRC, as well as the influence of the Confucian educational tradition. Particular attention is paid to changes in theatre education under the conditions of digitalisation and globalisation: the use of multimedia technologies and the spread of distance forms of learning after the pandemic. The main problems are also considered – the commercialisation of culture, the uneven educational infrastructure and a shortage of teaching staff. Drawing on the analysis of scholarly works, normative documents and contemporary educational practices, the article identifies the main trends and prospects for the development of children’s theatre in China. It concludes that theatre remains an important means of transmitting culture, providing moral education and preserving national traditions amid the renewal of society.