Iqaluit (Sep 22/03) - Children can be some of the toughest and most honest critics, and drama students are hoping to gain some valuable experience working with them.

Every Tuesday morning toddlers and teenagers come together at the Iqaluit Centennial Library for pre-school story time.

This is the second year the high school students have worked with the children through this program.

For one hour the drama students read and play games with the children while learning how to interact with them.

"This program helps by building your self-confidence," said Samantha Cooper, one of the students. Drama teacher Bryon Doherty said the program is a great way for the students to practice their acting skills.

"If you can play with little kids and keep their attention, that's a real skill," he said.

"Children are very honest and if you aren't keeping them entertained they will let you know. You have to learn to adapt."

For the students, playing with children is a great experience. "I love children and this is a great program," said Eliana Cooper, a drama student.

"It's a lot of fun playing with the children," added Deneen Reti, another student.

The morning starts off with the children picking out books they would like read. It's the students' job to entertain the children, which isn't always easy.

"It takes a lot of practice to become a good reader," said Doherty. After the books are finished, the students help the kids make crafts and colour pictures.

Doherty explained the more chi dren are enrolled in the program, the more it hectic it becomes. The students have to work harder to maintain control. "One time we had over 15 kids in the program. That's a lot of children we had to keep entertained," he said.