Theme: The Creative Practitioner

For: Artists, early years practitioners, heads of centres, cultural managers, local authority advisors, early years professionals, arts or cultural organisations.

Programme:

9.45 Earlyarts Welcome

10.15 Creative Practice Exposed – presentations and discussions on two creative learning projects:

Liane Jose (Freelance Arts Practitioner - Drama) Liane will outline the Arts Train early years arts training course (2007 – 2009) and the impact this has had on the subsequent work of Early Years Practitioners.

Viv Horne (St. Day Community Primary School) Viv will outline the Small Steps, Giant Leaps project, which took place in both the preschool and foundation stage classes of her school. This was a music and movement project which had profound impact on the children’s learning and her own professional development.

11.45 Earlyarts Knowledge – speed networking, key events coming up in the sector, review of the latest research and publications.

12.15 Networking LUNCH (please bring your own sandwiches)

13.00 CPD Workshops – 2 one hour workshops in music and drama led by our morning speakers.

Workshop 1 Small Steps, Giant Leaps in musical development by Chris Morgan
Workshop 2 Yes, Let’s! A range of drama techniques to engage and excite very young children by Liane Jose

15.00 Sharing Experiences, learning journeys, feedback and delivery plans.

15.30 Dates of next meetings and finish.

Workshop Outlines:

Workshop 1: ‘Small Steps, Giant Leaps’ in musical development by Chris Morgan

This workshop will provide a pedagogic insight into the creative approaches employed by the music leaders on the ‘Small Steps, Giant Leaps’ project. Chris will share theory and practical activities for participants to take back to their settings and will highlight how these creative approaches support the Early Years Foundation Stage.

• Approaches to starting musical sessions
• Musical warm up activities
• Integrating music and movement
• Music in the ‘indoors’ and ‘outdoors’
• Celebration and sharing musical development

Workshop 2: ‘Yes, Let’s!’ A range of drama techniques to engage and excite very young children by Liane Jose

This workshop will provide skills-based training investigating creative approaches to bringing drama activities into early years settings. Liane will work with participants to explore playful approaches to ‘imaginary worlds’, role play and the use of props to illicit creative and critical thinking.

• Approaches to starting drama sessions.
• Drama warm up activities.
• Throwing away the script and opening up possibilities for children’s play as the starting point.
• Exploring what different materials could mean to different children, and how to transform everyday objects.
• Ideas for using materials, movement, storytelling, puppetry and other arts with young children and families.