Education

Gloucestershire Creativity Course

In collaboration with the Early Years Unit I have delivered teacher training in Creativity for Early Years Staff

Manny Lewis, Chairman The British Association for Early Childhood Education, 136 Cavell Street, London

Evaluation Tredworth Infants School Residency, Gloucester

“Outside different groups were working either individually or in pairs, threes, fours and then groups collaborated when appropriate. Some were “dressing the tree trunk”. Others were joining up hollow branches and building some sort of construction. There was much language, humour and real exchange of ideas. The teachers looked totally involved and were visibly surprised with some of the childrens creations.”

“The Teacher who knew about the Reggio Emilia philosophy volunteered that her views had changed during the project. Initially, she wanted the children to have more direction, be taught specific skills and techniques to do with clay. She felt that she had learnt a great deal from Rod. She was more confident about the clayness of clay. She valued the time that the children had had to appreciate, play and discover about clay. She had enjoyed taking the day outside and allowing the children to be creative with clay. She would never ask any child to make a clay pot again!”.

“In some instances the Arts Project was seen as real evidence to show that individual children had “grown” in maturity by being involved in the project. The experience had given them self confidence and their language development had increased significantly. It was felt that these children had thrived on the opportunity of experiencing more freedom with materials and having another interested and talented adult (Rod) to whom to relate.”

The inbuilt strategy for reflection and evaluation, and sharing ideas, had released a self awareness and confidence with certain children that was awe inspiring.

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