Woldgate College - Babies and Toddlers Call the Shots…
A movement and dance initiative by Woldgate College - Dance Development Team
'The children are gaining the confidence to dance, express themselves, have their own ideas and use them within the sessions. They are working together more, building friendships and learning to respect each other's space and views.'Woldgate College Staff participant, Phase 1 Programme Summer 2006.
The work of the Dance Development Team received a commendation from an inspection by Ofsted which gave its work an 'outstanding' mark in the category of 'links with the local community'. It also reported that the work is of national significance in relation to its design, development and outcomes.
Since beginning their work together in summer 2006, the team comprising Richard Coaten, Dawn Holgate, Dominic Martinovs and Ian McCulloch have created a programme of training and development designed to reach all staff working in the early years sector in the East Riding - this includes teachers, nursery-workers, child-minders and parents/carers. The programme is in its early stages of delivery however the pilot Phase 1 in summer 2006 produced some important outcomes and learning which have now been incorporated into Phase 2 which began in the autumn last year, with a programme based in Beverley.
The Training Programme:
Described as a "child-centred and child led approach to teaching & learning", this innovative movement and dance based training and development programme is supporting child learning and development in partnership with those who care for and work with them. It starts with a full day's training (off-site) in free movement play and dance, music & song and group-work and leadership skills. Five morning or afternoon sessions (on-site) follow in the participant's own setting, along with the children who participant's normally work with. Dates and times for on-site delivery are negotiated and the Team is very flexible in meeting participant's needs.
Outcomes:
Enabling children and staff to discover and re-discover the joy of physical movement and dance and its importance in supporting embodied practice and child development in the early years.
This approach becoming integrated into early years practice across the East Riding.
Children increasing in self-confidence and their ability to be aware of and in touch with their bodies.
Children increasing their self-esteem through expressing themselves more in movement.
Staff becoming more confident in their understanding of the importance of this work and approach and their ability to develop it in their own settings.
Developing the work and approach
By inviting UK and international specialists in music, movement and dance in the early years to visit and communicate their practice and ideas through seminars, conferences, workshops and further training events. These will be planned and delivered running alongside the development and delivery of the Training Programme and aims to maintain momentum for the work of the Teams.
The team also run regular Saturday morning 'Stay & Play', Movement & Dance Sessions for parents and children from 10am to 11am at Pocklington Arts Centre plus a regular monthly evening group for staff/parents and carers who meet to learn & develop new skills.
The future.....
The programme aims to involve more parents, carers and child-minders and has an ambitious plan to work with as many of the 630 plus settings in the East Riding region as possible. We will also be working with Children's Centres across the region to further extend our monthly Music & Movement training courses on a rotating basis.
Contact Details:
If you are interested in this programme of work and approach and contacting the Dance Development Team at Woldgate College then the details are as follows:
Dawn Holgate, Community Dance Co-ordinator, Tel: 01759 302395 (option 5)
Email here.
For details of the Music Development Team contact: The admin team, Tel: 01759 302395 (option 5) Email here.
