Earlyarts E-Bulletin No 15 - Spring 2007
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Please take a little time to ensure you have the dates for the next regional professional development meetings for the North West and Yorkshire (free of charge), as below, if you would like to stretch your mind and your skills further.
DON'T MISS OUT ON A UNIQUE INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON CREATIVE PRACTICE FOR EARLY YEARS, FRIDAY 13TH JULY 2007, MANCHESTER - A truly ground breaking insight into our global partners' creative early years provision, this seminar aims to share the latest thinking, partnership opportunities and networks for arts, culture and early learning across Europe and parts of the US. To book contact Susan Hirst, telephone her on 01484 685869. The conference is almost full and new bookers will be put on a waiting list.
INTERNATIONAL:
EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF ARTS & CULTURAL EDUCATION ON CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE, A EUROPEAN & INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM, 10 - 12 JANUARY, 2007
In January 2007, on the initiative of the French Ministry of National Education, Higher Education and Research and the French Ministry of Culture and Communication, the Centre Pompidou hosted a research symposium on evaluating the impact of arts and cultural education. Some fifty researchers from Europe and across the world met to share their work, consider progress already made and gain an overview of ongoing research.
Drawing on developmental psychology, sociology, educational theory and cognitive science, ten round-table discussions offered an in-depth examination of such questions as:
- What can be evaluated and how?
- What are the effects of arts and cultural education on cross-cutting skills and artistic and cultural practices?
- Do the different arts have different specific effects?
- What is the impact of partnerships between teachers and artists and other cultural professionals?
Taking account of recent research in Europe and elsewhere, the goal of the symposium was to highlight the effects of the various educational approaches that put art at the heart of the learning process. Videos and PowerPoint presentations of the Symposium are now available on-line here.
INTERNATIONAL EARLY ARTS CONFERENCE IN PITTSBURGH IN 2009
Conference Vision: To explore what the impacts of creative practice are on the lives and learning of young children, and to share ways of achieving this. The conference will be exploring three main areas in more detail:
Recognising and Harnessing Creativity:
- What does creativity look like and what are our expectations?
- How can we recognise a creative idea or moment in children's play, and then capture it?
- How do we provide the physical, emotional, social and cultural environment sto nurture those creative moments?
- How do we build small creative projects into the mainstream to improve wider early years practice?
- How do artists and teachers collaborate etter with each other?
- How can we make better use of observation, reflection & review?
- How do we respond creatively to children's different needs?
Using Creativity in Skills and Workforce Development:
- How do we address the skills development that is needed to enable all early childhood professionals to work creatively?
- How do we include creative professionals in the planning, design and delivery of training for early years professionals?
- How do we transfer creative skills and knowledge from artists to teachers?
This conference is aimed at both early years and arts professionals working with children from birth to six. The format will be highly practical, with several opportunities to share experiences, try out new approaches, develop hands-on skills, discuss issues that are important to you, and meet some incredible people from across the region as well as international colleagues. Come with an open mind, and be prepared to have a lot of fun!
Any international early education and/or arts organisations / creative practitioners interested in participating or contributing relevant research please complete the form here. Further information will be posted here as planning develops: www.earlyarts.net
EARLY BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
Million dollar babies: why infants can't be hardwired for success by Sarah Mead was published on the independent American policy website Education Sector on 3 April 2007. The author describes a wide range of books and reports concerning children's early brain development that has appeared in recent years. She shows how the educational toy industry in the US has been cashing in on this argument, and says that parents have wasted billions of dollars on products that promise to help them foster their child's brain development. Recently, however, leading neuroscientists have criticized the argument about the importance of the first three years, and the author sets out three major fallacies: The form-is-function fallacy; the more-is-better fallacy and the critical-periods fallacy. To download the paper visit http://www.educationsector.org/usr_doc/Million_Dollar_Babies.pdf
EUROPEAN CHILDREN'S NETWORK: NEW WEBSITE
The European Children's Network, representing children's rights NGOs from across Europe has launched a new website: http://www.europeanchildrensnetwork.eu/. The website aims to keep individuals and organisations working for children's rights up-to-date and informed on all of EURONET's work in this field, including important child rights-related news, events and legislative proposals taking place in the EU.
NATIONAL:
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE'S PLAN: GUIDANCE
In January 2007 the DfES published guidance for local authorities and partnerships responsible for agreeing, implementing and reviewing Children and Young People's Plans (CYPP). The guidance takes account of:
- changes to the 2005 CYPP regulations
- new duties in the Education and Inspections Act 2006
- new duties in the Childcare Act 2006
The guidance may be downloaded here.
EVERY CHILD MATTERS: ONLINE PUBLICATIONS SERVICE
On 5 Feb 2007 ECM launched a new service that allows users to order many of the most important documents supporting the Every Child Matters programme in hardcopy. Visit http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/?asset=News&id=52490
OFSTED REPORT ON THE FOUNDATION STAGE
This is a major survey of the Foundation Stage. Ofsted visited a variety of different settings to evaluate standards, achievement and the quality of provision for children aged three to five, as well as local authorities' support. The survey's findings provide a baseline from which the success of the Early Years Foundation Stage may be measured when it is implemented from September 2008 and subsequently inspected by Ofsted. Download the report here.
EPPE RESEARCH FINDINGS: PRE-SCHOOL INFLUENCES ON ATTAINMENT AT AGE 10
On 19 February 2007 DfES published Effective Pre-school and Primary Education 3-11 Project (EPPE 3-11): Influences on children's attainment and progress on Key Stage 2:Cognitive outcome in year 5. The EPPE sample of about 2,500 children is being followed until the end of KS 2 (age 11). This new study focuses on the relationships between various child, family, home, pre-school and primary school characteristics and measures of children's cognitive attainment in year 5 (age 10). It compares these findings to the impact of the same factors in year 1 (age 6). Some key findings are:
- The quality of the early years home learning environment and parents' (especially mother's) qualification levels are the most important background factors relating to a child's attainment in reading and maths in year 5.
- There is evidence of a continuing positive effect of attending higher quality or more effective pre-school settings on children's subsequent outcomes in maths and reading at the end of year 5.
- Those children attending low quality preschool no longer show cognitive benefits by year 5. Their results are not significantly different from the children who did not attend any pre-school. This is a change in comparison to earlier EPPE findings at age 5, when any kind of pre-school experience was found to be beneficial.
REPORT ON FOREST SCHOOLS
Forest Schools were introduced to Britain in the mid-1990s. On 12 February 2007 research into the value of the Forest School setting in England and Wales was published: A marvellous opportunity for children to learn by Liz O'Brien of Forest Research and Richard Murray of the New Economics Foundation. The report shows that Forest Schools can play a critical role in child development. Children are educated in woodlands at regular intervals over a period - typically several months - using activities linked to the national curriculum. To evaluate Forest Schools, researchers explored activities in Wales and then tracked a number of young children in England over eight months. The research found that the effects on children's learning, personal development, behaviour and self-confidence were mostly positive. More details here
REVIEW OF CHILDREN'S TV
On 13 February 2007 Ofcom set out the first steps in its review of children's programming. Ofcom will begin its review with a research project focusing on:
- the current state of children's television and other children's media in the UK;
- the role of public service broadcasting in providing content to children;
- the prospects for the future delivery of a wide range of high quality and original content for children and the factors which are likely to influence this;
- relevant international perspectives or examples.
Ofcom originally intended to review children's TV as part of a wider examination of public service broadcasting that will take place early in 2008, but has brought this specific review forward. Ofcom intends to publish the findings of its research in summer 2007. More details here
PLAYTRAIN - SUMMER COURSE PROGRAMME 2007
This summer, playtrain is offering a range of creative play training events, designed to support your work with children and provide you with plenty of ideas for holiday play schemes and clubs. These courses are fun and practical. We guarantee that you will leave with a bag of new tricks!
Fun Play Training
The Large It Outdoor Play Day - Friday 18th May, 2007 (10am-4pm) at playtrain offices Cost: £25 (including lunch)
The Large It Indoor Play Day - Friday 1st June, 2007 (10am-4pm) at playtrain offices Cost: £25 (including lunch)
The Rainy Day Games Session - Friday 15th June, 2007 (10am-4pm) at playtrain offices Cost: £25 (including lunch)
The Big Digital Play Day - Friday 22nd June, 2007 (10am-4pm) at playtrain offices Cost: £25 (including lunch)
Monday Twilight Sessions
Back by popular demand, these evening sessions are designed to support successful relationships with children and young people.
Reflective Practice & Documentation - Monday 9th July, 2007 (6-9pm) at play train offices Cost: £12 (includes light refreshments)
Promoting Positive Behaviour - Monday 16th July, 2007 (6-9pm) at play train offices Cost: £12 (includes light refreshments)
Disability Equality & Inclusion - Monday 23rd July, 2007 (6-9pm) at play train offices Cost: £12 (includes light refreshments)
Children's Participation: Past, Present & Future - Monday 30th July, 2007 (6-9pm) at play train offices Cost: £12 (includes light refreshments)
For more details, please contact Claire, Ruth or Katy at playtrain, telephone 0121 449 6665 or email here.
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT THROUGH DRAMA - WHAT EVERY LOCAL AUTHORITY NEEDS TO KNOW!, 19th JUNE, BIRMINGHAM
A one day conference aimed at local authorities on Tuesday, 19th June 2007 at the Lakeside Conference Centre in Birmingham. There will be input from GTC, QCA, ND, Norfolk County Council. The conference will be focussed around a successful cross curricular, sustainable and transferable initiative developed in partnership with the subject association, National Drama and a local authority. It will use subject association consultants, ASTs and provides specialist CPD using a subject association in partnership with local drama specialists, to provide INSET and ongoing advice and research support as well as teacher networking.
More information here.
JABADAO - SUMMER COURSE PROGRAMME 2007
Early Years - Developmental Movement Play: 25/26 Sept and 13/14 Nov 2007 (followed by 10 Sept 2008)
Foundation Course 1 - theory: How movement play supports children's all-round development: 21 June 2007 and 12 Sept 2007
Foundation Course 2 - theory into practice: Supporting movement play: 22 June 2007 and 12 Sept 2007
Primary Courses - Foundation Courses: How movement supports learning and wellbeing (theory): 5 July 2007
Supporting embodied learning (theory into practice): 5 July 2007
Movement Programme - Summer School for Developing Practice: 24/25/26/27 July 2007
If you would like further details about these courses, please contact: Pat Pickavance, Training Co-ordinator on 0113 236 3318 or email here
TELL TALE HEARTS - BENEATH AND WAVES AND RUMPELSTILTSKIN
Beneath The Waves - This year has seen the successful national tour of, ‘Beneath The Waves' - an interactive performance for 3-7 year olds. This performance piece features high quality puppetry, installations, video projection and live music. This piece toured to theatres, arts centres and primary schools, where our young audiences were invited to help our fisherman friends to moor the boats, unload the fish and join us on board as we hoisted the sails and set off on a magical sea voyage to discover the world Beneath The Waves!
‘Excellent!!! Loved it being so interactive. My daughter can't wait to come back again. Please, please do another show' - Audience member with 3 yr old daughter, Harrogate Theatre Royal
Due to the popularity of this piece, we are touring this show again nationally in the autumn and currently taking bookings.
Rumpelstiltskin - After a very successful tour of Rumplestiltskin in 2006, Tell Tale Hearts and Figment Theatre are once again touring this enchanting Christmas storytelling show for 5 -11 year olds and their families. Based on the famous tale of, ‘Rumpelstiltskin', by the brothers Grimm, this is a story of a simple miller and his hapless daughter, a treasure-obsessed King and a strange impish creature who can spin gold from straw (at a price) - all set in the enchanted woods of eastern Europe. Travelling storytellers and musicians weave a comic tale of pride, mystery and greed using puppetry, drama, clowning and music. Collaborations between Tell Tale Hearts and Figment began in 2004 with their production of, ‘A Little Match Girl'.
‘It was fantastic!" All the children were amazed by the performance and couldn't stop talking about how much they enjoyed it!.'
This show is touring from the end of November until 20th December 2007. Please call for bookings.
For more information contact Tell Tale Hearts, 89 High Street, Penistone, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S36 6BR, Tel: 01226 761450, Mobile: 07803 724529 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , www.telltalehearts.co.uk
FROM READER TO WRITER: PRIMARY LITERACY CONFERENCES
Presented by Pie Corbett and the NLT in June in Birmingham, York and London (London now fully booked). Pie Corbett will explore the links between reading and writing narrative and look at how 'story book projects' provide a focus for reading, writing, speaking and listening. The NLT will focus on how primary schools can engage parents and the wider family with supporting reading in the home. More information and to book
5x5x5 = CREATIVITY - EXHIBITION 2007 AND SEMINAR 2007, 15TH JUNE TO 15TH JULY, MICHAEL TIPPETT CENTRE, BATH SPA UNIVERITY, BATH
5x5x5=Creativity was initiated in 2000 and is now a major research project across Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, Wiltshire, North Somerset and Somerset. The action research involves groups of five educational settings, five artists and five cultural centres working in partnership to support young children's creativity. We will be sharing learning stories, creating spaces for conversations and teasing out both the challenges and opportunities provided by this research. For more information contact Julia Butler, 5x5x5=Creativity, PO Box 3236, Chippenham, SN15 9DE, Tel: 07969 090956 or email Julia here.
CREATABILITY CONFERENCE - A CONFERENCE ON EARLY YEARS CREATIVITY, FRIDAY, 22ND JUNE, THE HAWTH, CRAWLEY, WEST SUSSEX
Network, learn and discover at the CreatAbility Conference on Friday 22 June 2007. this conference on Early Years Creativity brings together high quality projects and practitioners from the south east region and beyond, who share a passion for developing the creativity of the under fives. The day is a combination of speakers, films and sharing best practice, and provides a unique opportunity to network with like-minded people. More information about the conference and how to book here.
CREATIVE SPACES FOR SPORT AND THE ARTS, FRIDAY, 22ND JUNE, THE ENGLISH INSTITUTE OF SPORT, SHEFFIELD
This conference aims to inspire and inform all those involved in planning and designing cultural spaces, for school and community use. More information here.
CHILD PROTECTION TRAINING, 28TH JUNE, THE MANOR GARDENS CENTRE, LONDON
This day course aims to ensure that the children, staff and volunteers engaged in the arts through your organisation are as safe as they can be. The message is how to manage the demands of legislation (including the Vulnerable Groups Bill 2006) to meet the particular needs of your organisation. The course is on 28 June 2007 from 10.30am to 4.00pm at The Manor Gardens Centre, 6-9 Manor Gardens, London and costs £25. To take advantage of the £15 early bird rate book four weeks in advance. More information here.
WORKING IN ENVIRONMENTS OF ENQUIRY - 13TH JULY 2007, THE UNIVERSITY OF YORK
This summer will be the 10th anniversary of the first showing of the Hundred Languages exhibition in England. This began an ongoing encounter with the values, ideas and work of the preschools of Reggio Emilia - work which UK early years educators have found deeply relevant and exciting, and which reflects the aspirations of their core values. More information and a booking form here.
FUTURELAB - TOWARDS NEW LEARNING NETWORKSWhat should the educational landscape of the future look like? What types of institutions, spaces and places for learning should we see develop? Where, and with whom, should learning happen? The argument in this paper is that, if we are interested in achieving a fully personalised education system designed around the needs, interests and aspirations of each learner, then we need to challenge a number of fundamental assumptions which have historically underpinned the organisation of education. An Opening Education report from Futurelab (December 2006) by Tim Rudd, Dan Sutch and Keri Facer. Download the report here.
REWRITING THE CURRICULUM
An article by Ben Williamson, Learning Researcher at Futurelab, on a three-year pilot project named 5x5x5. Based on a model of nursery schooling from the Italian province of Reggio Emilia, the 5x5x5 project focuses on children as creators of learning, and aims to open up the ways in which nurseries approach the government's national foundation stage framework. More here ......
CLORE PERFORMING ARTS AWARDS
The Clore Duffield Foundation is offering grants to charitable organisations, schools, and voluntary youth organisations for new and creative education programmes that cover the performing arts. Known previously as the Small Grants Programme, the Clore Performing Arts Awards provides funding for performing arts education projects and events aimed at children and young people up to the age of 18 years across the UK. The funding is intended to provide children and young people with opportunities to experience performing arts education at its best. The performing arts include opera, dance, music, musical theatre, the spoken word and theatre. Deadline for submissions: 12th September 2007. More information here.
REFLECT CREATIVE PARTNERSHIPS NATIONAL CO-MENTORING PROGRAMME
Do you want to see creativity at the heart of your organisation?
Would you like space to think and reflect on your practice and exchange ideas with others?
Could you benefit from being paired with another professional who could support you in your work?
Led by The Sage Gateshead, and commissioned by Creative Partnerships, REFLECT is a new national professional development opportunity linking teachers and school staff with individuals from creative and cultural organisations and businesses across England in co-mentoring pairs. Each pair will meet approximately five times and will be supported by face-to-face training, professional development and networking events, to enable then to enhance creativity within their organisations. More information here.
CHILDREN NOW MANIFESTO: VOTE FOR POLICIES ONLINE
You can now vote for the policies you think should appear in the Children Now Manifesto online. The manifesto is part of a campaign to develop a 10-point plan for improving children's services. The policies will be chosen by people in the sector. The online survey asks you to vote on the first 10 policy proposals for the manifesto to help decide which policies make it into the final document. A second online survey giving people a chance to vote on another 10 proposals will follow. To vote visit the Children Now website.
COULD YOUR SCHOOL BE EVEN MORE CREATIVE?
This handbook builds on the experience of Creative Partnerships in over 2500 schools in 36 areas of England. It offers ways for schools to work with external partners to support imaginative enquiries - bringing the curriculum to life and delivering across and beyond it for whole school change. For more information and to download a copy click here.
MAKING THINKING MATTER - RESEARCH FROM CAPTURE ARTS
LONSAS Associates, Capture Arts, have been working on a research project with children from 3-5, to monitor the levels of divergent thinking and why it declines as we get older. Making Thinking Matter is the name given to their ground-breaking work in education. Capture Arts offer creative thinking and art workshops / projects. They have been working in education and the arts since 1997, and formed a small company in April 2005. They have been accredited creative thinking consultants trained in Edward de Bono creative thinking tools for education since May 2006. To read more about the research project, 'Making Thinking Matter' click here.
CREATIVE STEPS
A fantastic magazine packed with easy, fun projects and activities...an excellent source of inspiration for primary school teachers, classroom assistants, childminders, nursery teachers, playgroup and pre-school organisers, Rainbow, Brownie, Guide and Scouting leaders and, of course, parents and grandparents! More information here.
OKIDO - THE NEW MAGAZINE FOR 2 TO 7 YEAR OLDS
OKIDO is an art and science magazine for children. OKIDO magazine is educational and fun. With OKIDO you will have the pleasure to read with your children and meet their favorite heroes, dream, make things, draw and invent. More information here.
BOOKTIME FOR ALL FIVE AND 11-YEAR-OLDS
Gordon Brown's Pre-Budget Report in November 2006 announced that every five-year-old starting primary school and every 11-year-old starting secondary school should receive a free book. For five-year-olds, the offer will be delivered through Booktime packs. The pack will also include a Family Reading Adventure activity card produced by the NLT. More on family reading. For more information on Booktime visit www.booktime.pearson.com
PLAY AND DISPLAY PUTS THE PLEASURE BACK INTO READING
Opening the Book has launched an exciting new range of book display furniture for KS1, KS2 & KS3. Designed to encourage children to see books and reading as fun, each unit in the range combines a face-forward book display with a play element, such as mirrors, magnetic panels and secret reading spaces. Aimed at libraries and educational spaces, the new range will be showcased at the Library and information show, NEC, 18 and 19 April. The range is available to order now. For more details or to place an order, click here or call Jane on 0121 246 2820.
FAMILY READING ACTIVITY CARDS
The Family Reading Campaign has produced activity cards which organisations can purchase to use with families to encourage reading in the home. The card folds out to reveal top tips for parents on reading with their children, including activities and age-specific advice. The cards have been designed with space for organisations to insert their logo on the back cover. More
FAMILY FRIENDLY TOOLKIT
The long awaited national famly friendly toolkit has now been published. Containing guiding principles, a practical tool for auditing an organisation's family friendliness and a simple guide for preparing an action plan, this is a straightforward, easy to use publication. And because it draws from a wide range of research and best practice nationally, it can be used across artforms and across all scales of organisation. Whilst it is most suited to venue based organisations, anyone can use it - they might just have to work a bit harder at their partnerships. Copies in pdf format can be downloaded here: http://www.newaudiences.org.uk/resource.php?id=837
READING CONNECTS FAMILY ENGAGEMENT TOOLKIT
The Family Engagement Toolkit has been hugely successful since its launch in December 2006. The Toolkit is designed to help school practitioners to engage parents and other family members with their children's reading. It provides the tools needed to reach out to families and encourage them to make their homes reading homes. Hard copies are available to Reading Connects schools and partners. More
FLOURISH - SHOWCASING ARTWORKS BY LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
Flourish is looking for artwork by looked-after young people from around the country for a new exhibition in October. Details of guidance and application forms can be found at http://www.flourish-art.org/
CREATIVE ACTIVITIES IN THE EARLY YEARS - NEW BOOK OUT NOW
Full of exciting ideas, this book will help those working with young children to encourage and nurture their creativity and imagination. The book takes examples of what has worked in various early years settings and provides lots of inspirational activities. There are also lots of resources on the book's supporting website. For more details please visit http://www.paulchapmanpublishing.co.uk/booksProdDesc.nav?prodId=Book230673
TOOLKIT AND TRAINING FOR SCOPE'S INCLUSION PROJECT
In The Picture, Scope's ground-breaking project which aims to promote the inclusion of disabled children in early years' picture books, has recently published a research report examining methods of sharing information with disabled children. The report Sharing information with disabled children in the early years is available to download from http://www.scope.org.uk/downloads/publications/scope-itp-report06.pdf.
Following on from this research, the team have developed a toolkit and training aimed at supporting organisations in the development of methods and practices to include all children. The training will be delivered in practical workshop-style sessions around the country. Those arranged so far are: 1 May - Peterborough; 8 May - Wakefield; 17 May - London; 21 June - Birmingham. For more information visit http://www.childreninthepicture.org.uk/trainevents.htm
REGIONAL (YORKSHIRE):
YORKSHIRE EARLY YEARS AND CREATIVITY HUB - 17th SEPTEMBER 2007
All arts and early years practitioners, policy makers, sure starts, local authority advisors and training providers are invited to join the Early Years and Creativity network focusing on professional development on Child in the Centre - What is individualised learning? How do we respond creatively to different needs? How do we fulfil curriculum requirements and retain enough flexibility for creative work? How do we know when to go off plan, or make changes to the plan? What's the balance between planning, responding to need, and improvising? How do we spot the need to work creatively with an Individual or a Group? The meeting is to be held at Arts Council Yorkshire in Dewsbury following on from the recent launch of the early years and creativity development plan, Imagination for Life and Learning, addressing creative practice within the context of Every Child Matters. To book your free place, please contact Susan Hirst telephone 01484
here.
WOLDGATE COLLEGE - BABIES AND TODDLERS CALL THE SHOTS ...
A movement and dance training initiative for all early years practitioners with responsibility for delivering the 'Birth to Three Matters' and 'Foundation Stage' Curriculum. Described as a child-centred and child led approach to teaching and 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 in local settings and nurseries. It enables children to be more aware of and in touch with their bodies and helps them, with support and with encouragement, to move freely, easily and with increasing self-confidence. The project is delivered by the Dance Development Team from Woldgate College, Pocklington; it lasts five weeks, and provides intensive training both at Woldgate's Dance Studios and within each nursery, school or pre-school setting. More information about this project here or contact Dawn Holgate, Community Dance Co-ordinator, Tel: 01759 302395 (option 5) or email here.
CHILDHOOD - ON OFFER ONLY ONCE, THURSDAY, 17th MAY 2007, INNOVATION CENTRE, EUROPARC, GRIMSBY
The Children's House Consultancy's Inaugral Annual Lecture by John Ward, Arts Consultant and former LEA Art Advisor. The lecture is from 6.00 pm to 8.00 pm and costs £2 per person. For more information contact The Children's House Consultancy by email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or telephone 01472 504891.
CALLING ALL EARLY YEARS PRACTITIONERS! INTERESTED IN MUSIC? LIKE TO FIND NEW WAYS OF USING IT IN YOUR SETTING?
Following the success of our Kodály music education workshops for teachers and practitioners at KS1 and KS2, we can now offer a course designed for Early Years practitioners based on Music. The course consists of six 1 - day workshops led by a Kodály specialist over a period of one year (one session per half term) and 6 sessions with a music practitioner in the early years setting. The dates for the course are as follows: 15th September 2007; 3rd November 2007 ; 12th January 2008; 23rd February 2008; 19th April 2008; 7th June 2008. This course will be run in collaboration with MusicLeader Yorkshire and the cost per delegate is £360 plus VAT. This includes all six workshops plus one session per half term where a music practitioner visits the Early Years organisation to help with delivery. This is remarkable value for money, for just £60 per half term you will receive a full day of tuition including practical music making ideas, a detailed handbook and a CD of songs plus a visit from a music practitioner for a session in your early years environment. To confirm your interest in this excellent opportunity please email here. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact Liz Wilde at NOEL on 01422 330533 or Clare Games at MusicLeader Yorkshire on 01422 321 823.
EVERY CHILD MATTERS TO MUSEUMS, LIBRARIES AND ARCHIVES CONFERENCE
The evaluation for the Every Child Matters to Museums, Libraries & Archives Conference is now available online here.
REGIONAL (NORTH WEST):
NORTH WEST EARLYARTS CHAMPIONS GROUP - 25TH SEPTEMBER 2007, THE TULLIE HOUSE MUSEUM, CARLISLE
All arts and early years practitioners, policy makers, sure starts, local authority advisors and training providers are invited to join the Early Years and Creativity network focusing on professional development on Child in the Centre - What is individualised learning? How do we respond creatively to different needs? How do we fulfil curriculum requirements and retain enough flexibility for creative work? How do we know when to go off plan, or make changes to the plan? What's the balance between planning, responding to need, and improvising? How do we spot the need to work creatively with an Individual or a Group? The meeting is to be held at The Tullie House Museum in Carlisle following on from the recent launch of the early years and creativity development plan for the North West, addressing creative practice within the context of Every Child Matters. To book your free place, please contact Susan Hirst telephone 01484 685869.
SPRING ACTIVITIES AT WORLD MUSEUM LIVERPOOL
Animated Adventures - Now to 26 Aug 2007
Capturing the full animation process from storyboards to set design, Animated Adventures, reveals all the industry's secrets in a fun and engaging mix of hands-on exhibits and multi-media pods. The exhibition features stars of the big and small screen Wallace and Gromit.
Molly the friendly blue whale
An interactive story told by ‘Captain Undersea' about the friendly blue whale, Molly and her lucky escape from the clutches of a whaling ship.
Shows: 12pm - 29 May 2007; 2pm - 31 May 2007; 2.15pm - 30 June 2007; 3.15pm - 24 June 2007; 3.30pm - 16 June 2007
Shadow puppets
Make your very own hero or villain Javanese shadow puppet and take it home. (over 5s)
Shows: 10.30am to 12pm - 30 May 2007
Open daily from 10am-5pm. For more information about the above events go to www.worldmuseumliverpool.org.uk or telephone 0151 478 4393
SPRING ACTIVITIES AT THE WALKER ART GALLERY
Parent and baby morning:
10-11.15am: 21 May 2007; 4, 11, 18 & 25 June 2007
Join us in Big Art for a chance to meet other parents and babies and take part in specially designed activities. Limited places, to book call 0151 478 4178 (under 5s)
Sculpture drawing
1-4pm: 20 May 2007
Drop in and be inspired by our sculpture collection with artist Dennis Spicer. (all)
Bottle painting workshop
1-4pm: 26 & 27 May 2007
Decorate a bottle and create your own stained glass masterpiece. Limited places collect tickets from the welcome desk on the day. (all)
Recycled sculpture workshop
1- 4pm: 16 & 17 June 2007
Drop by and create your very own sculpture using recycled materials. (all)
Spring blossoms
1- 4pm: 31 May 2007
Create your own spring blossoms based on the painting by John Everett Millais to welcome the summer season (all)
Storytelling Sunday
1, 2 & 3pm: 24 June 2007
Let us entertain your little ones with an afternoon of stories and crafts. (under 8s)
Open daily from 10am-5pm. More information about the above events here: www.thewalker.org.uk or telephone 0151 478 4199
TATTERCOATS - MULTI STORY THEATRE, SUNDAY 20TH MAY FROM 2PM, GREENROOM, BENEATH OXFORD ROAD RAILWAY STATION, MANCHESTER
Tattercoats lives with her grandfather in a castle on an island surrounded by the sea. Ignored by her grandfather and bullied by the cooks, she makes friends with a young boy, learns how to fly a kite and how to dance like the wind. This tender tale of love and adventure is given a suitably atmospheric production, weaving together song, music, striking physical action and computer animation. Prices £6 including workshop. To book your tickets call 0161 615 0500 or book online at www.greenroomarts.org
ARTS AWARD TRAINING DAYS
There are a number of Bronze/Silver Arts Award training events coming up over the next three months in the North West. Dates are:-
25th May 2007 - Shakespeare Centre, Kendal, Cumbria
6th June 2007 - Winsford Library, Cheshire
A further training date in June/July is planned for The Wildflower Centre, Merseyside in order to ensure regional coverage. Please direct any enquiries you have to the Arts Award web pages www.artsaward.org.uk
SPRING EVENTS AT THE MERSEYSIDE MARITIME MUSEUM AND THE CUSTOMS & EXCISE NATIONAL MUSEUM, ALBERT DOCK, LIVERPOOL
Shiver me timbers
1.30, 2.30 & 3.30pm: 29 May 2007 and 10 June 2007
11am - 12noon: 11 & 24 June 2007 (Sure Start)
Come, meet our very own pirate, and find about life on the ocean wave. See if you have what it takes to be a fearsome treasure hunter! (all)
Little smugglebusters playday
1-4pm: 1 June 2007
A day of Customs themed fun for little visitors; art, stories & dressing up too! (under 5s)
Animal art
1-4pm: 26 May 2007 and 9 Jun 2007
Join our demonstrators who will show you how to make origami animals. (all)
Accessorise
1- 4pm: 28 May 2007
You don't have to be cruel to be ‘bling'. Join our fun-filled bag and jewellery workshop. (all)
Model Magic
1- 4pm: 2 June 2007
Mould and shape your own animal sculpture using model clay and find out more about the endangered animals Customs Officer try to protect. (all)
Designer print
1- 4pm: 23 June 2007
Like animal prints? Have a go at making your own wild animal print creation! (all)
Storytelling with Customs
1, 2 & 3pm: 22 June 2007
As part of Surestart month come and hear some tales of the animals protected by our Customs officers. (under 5s)
Open daily 10am-5pm, Inside Merseyside Maritime Museum, Albert Dock, Liverpool. For a full listing of events look at www.customsandexcisemuseum.org.uk or telephone 0151 478 4499
GREEN FAYRE - 3rd JUNE 2007, COURT HEY PARK, 11.00 AM - 5.00 PM
Come and join us in Court Hey Park - Roby Road, Huyton, Merseyside, home of the National Wildflower Centre for a big green family fun day out! There's plenty to enjoy for all ages, this year with a specific early years area all with a mini beast theme, plus a huge range of craft and food stalls, eco-activities, arts and entertainment including live music, circus show and loads of environmental information and advice. There's even free access to the National Wildflower Centre! Plus FREE PARK & RIDE SERVICE from Huyton Bus Station, Huyton Hey Road, Huyton & Bowring Park Golf Club, Roby Road, Huyton. For further information call 0151443 3682 or 0151 738 1913. Organised by Knowsley Council, in partnership with The National Wildflower Centre and Liverpool Culture Company. The event forms part of the Capital of Culture's 800th birthday celebrations.
MINI BEAST EXTRAVAGANZA
Following on from the Green Fayre and to keep the environmental education going Knowsley Arts Service and Merseyside Dance Initiative (MDI) have organised 6 weeks of free mini beast workshops for 6 of our lucky early year's settings. The sessions will be delivered by Claire Quinn from MDI and visual artist Ticky Lowe. They will focus on dance and movement for 2 - 5 year old, themed around wood ants, spiders, butterflies and honey bees. After exploring these different mini beasts, the sessions build up to an exciting finale of the bug ball carnival. Claire Quinn is currently creating an Early Years Mini Beast Resource Pack which will soon be available for purchase; these will include laminated mini beast sheets on Spiders, Honey Bees, Wood Ants, Caterpillars, Butterflies and Wildflowers. For further information on the resource pack contact MDI - 0151 708 8810.
M6 THEATRE COMPANY - JAZ AND FLO - A UNIQUE MULTI SENSORY THEATRE INSTALLATION CREATED SPECIALLY FOR 3-5 YEAR, 5TH JUNE TO 6TH JULY
M6 has created the different world's of two best friends - Jaz & Flo. Children follow them on a journey through magical spaces where the sights, sounds and rhythms mirror Jaz and Flo's different personalities and celebrate their friendship. Based at M6's Studio Theatre, the installation visit lasts approx 60 mins. For further information ring contact M6 Theatre on 01706 355898 or email here.
SOMETHING NEW FOR YOUR PALETTE! PREMIERE OF WATERCOLOURS BY SHAUN PRENDERGAST, 12TH JUNE, THE BRINDLEY, RUNCORN
Watercolours tells the story of a young boy who goes to stay with his grandparents whilst his mum and dad move all their belongings to a new home, in a new town. Upset about this big change in his life, starting again and having to make new friends, he is not a happy boy. But then he meets Cressida, a rather fearsome woman who lives in the attic. He discovers she is a photojournalist who is going blind and as she tells him stories about her life an unexpected friendship develops. Together they each confront their anxieties and learn that with a little courage new experiences can turn into exciting adventures. Watercolours fills the stage with the illusion of live painting through projection and video. This poignant yet funny story unfolds with the use of physical comedy and magical trickery! For children 5 - 8 years old. The play will be showing on 12th June at The Brindley, Runcorn, Performances at 10.00 am and 1.30 pm. For tickets contact the Box Office on 0151 907 8360
For more information at www.quicksilvertheatre.org
ROSSENDALE PUPPET FESTIVAL - HORSE & BAMBOO THEATRE, 9TH AND 10TH JUNE 2007-05-22
Horse + Bamboo Theatre are once again hosting the annual family friendly 'Rossendale Puppet Festival' on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th June in Waterfoot, Rossendale, Lancashire. A comprehensive weekend of puppetry fun for all the family is on offer with internationally acclaimed puppet theatre companies performing shows.
More information can be found on the Horse & Bamboo website here: http://www.horseandbamboo.org/pfest.htm
SEMINAR: MOVING THE ARTS AGENDA FORWARD IN PRIMARY EDUCATION - 3rd JULY, MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
A seminar for HEI arts tutors, school partners and local authority officers. 'The arts and creativity and the value of working with artists receive little attention within the curriculum of most initial teacher training institutions. In training for primary education, the focus is almost exclusively on literacy and numeracy'. Arts Council England Strategy for Higher Education, 2006.
What: A day of presentations, question and answer interludes and small group discussion to share the good practice that is moving forward the arts agenda in schools and initial teacher education. The day will culminate in the framing of a shared agenda for collective action.
Who: The day is aimed at HEI tutors, school partners and local authority officers
When: Tuesday 3rd July 2007
When: Didsbury Campus: Manchester Metropolitan University
Cost: The event is free of charge to Arts Learning Consortium (ALC) members.
How to book: Please contact Pat Procter here as soon as possible; the number of places available is limited.
HORSE & BAMBOO THEATRE - STORM IN A TEA CUP, NOW AVAILABLE FOR BOOKINGS
Squalls, squawking seabirds, sou'westers, a skittish lighthouse keeper and an heroic rescue out at sea are the tea time ingredients that make Storm in a Teacup an enchanting and engaging 25 minutes of magical puppet theatre. In this classic mini-visual theatre piece from Horse + Bamboo, one of Europe's leading visual theatre companies, a lonely lighthouse keeper uses his quirky notion of the charms of tea time in a vain attempt to win the friendship of a rare visitor to his isolated home. Storm in a Teacup is a tasty dish that has proved a huge winner at festivals, events, studios and schools throughout the UK and Ireland. It is a captivating and delightful show for the young and the young at heart. For details on booking contact Natasha Kent on 01706 242941 or email her here.
ARTSEDNEWS
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Earlyarts e-bulletin is prepared by Ruth Churchill Dower and Susan Hirst of Isaacs UK, on behalf of the earlyarts network. For further information, please contact Ruth on 01484 688407. To submit articles and events for the next e-bulletin, please contact Susan Hirst, Isaacs UK Administrator on 01484 685869.
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