Children First Conference -case studies and practical workshops

A small girl and a woman sitting on the floor in a gallery, drawing

 

Children First conference, World Museum Liverpool, 4-5 November 2005

Case studies

The following case studies were discussed during the conference

Enchanted Gardens

Sefton Arts Service and Crossens Nursery School, Southport

A project that explores the very definite links, between creative development, science and technology.  The project was inspired by a visit by the head teacher of the school to some of the pre-schools in the Reggio Emilia area of Italy.  The project involves foundation stage children working alongside an artist and engineer in the nursery to develop the outdoor environment.

I can, you can, we can

Knowsley Arts Service and Sure Start Knowsley

A project that was developed around the 6 participation standards as outlined in the Every Child Matters report (HM Treasury 2003).

Three artists and six early year’s settings shared skills, developed the standards and delivered a 10 week programme unique to their setting and resulting in the creation of a rhyming picture book full of activities and ideas for young children and their carers to enjoy.

Habla con Pepe  (talk with Pepe)

Knowsley Arts Service and Sure Start Halewood

An exciting project taking a creative and cultural approach to introducing new foreign languages to early years settings.  An activity based programme for 3-4 year olds, which combined using Latin America as a cultural base for arts-based activities together with the modern foreign language, Spanish.

Workshops

The following selection of workshops were available during the conference

Creative Learning Environments

Linda Thornton and Pat Brunton, ALC Associates

Analysing the elements which make up a stimulating, accessible environment to support young children’s learning.  An opportunity to look at the role of spaces, relationships, questioning and listening skills in fostering curiosity and creativity.

Making Learning visible – the power of documentation

An overview of group and individual learning and the process and purposes documentation – what it is, how to produce it and what it can be used for.  A look at the key messages from the Reggio Approach and how they can influence and inspire good practice in the UK.

All Things Latin

Practical workshop with a music and movement focus

Theatre based practical workshop

Valeria Frabetti, actor, La Baracca Theatre Company, Bologna, Italy

Practical workshop, aimed at practitioners who were not theatrically trained.  This workshop was an introduction to finding a personal way of using theatre which can lead to the development of performance work for children.  It included theatrical games and exercises to help discover the expressive potential of the body; listening and attention exercises; trust and improvisation.

Bookstart exhibition and initiative

Liverpool Libraries

Patterns in nature

Gina Couch, learning officer at World Museum Liverpool

0-3 and creativity

Anna Duffy, Newcastle University

Den making practical workshop

Graham Marsden

Poetry and song practical workshop

Levi Tafari

Back to the top