Creativity And Wellbeing In The Early Years

Offering practical guidance on encouraging creativity in early childhood settings, this much-needed book highlights the importance of the arts and creativity for children's learning, critical thinking, social interaction and self-regulation. The book considers the impact of creativity on early brain development and discusses how to choose the right arts or creative approach for your children. Principles for creative curriculums, teaching, assessments and environments are provided and each chapter includes a 'practitioner toolkit' element, with reflective questions and practical strategies for implementing the learning from the chapter into daily practice.

This accessible and practical guide explores how we can enhance and embed creativity in the early years to support children’s wellbeing. The book initially explores the work of Anna Craft, Ken Robinson, and Reggio Emilia to think about creativity with young children, before considering what this means for wellbeing. Five core chapters focus on creative mediums – drawing, sculpting and painting; craft; music; dance and drama; and storytelling and poetry – and offer a range of practical ideas and activities to use and adapt. This book provides: A wide range of activities accompanied by examples of collaborative arts projects with children. Interviews with artists and practitioners who support children’s wellbeing using creative mediums. Recommendations for creative activities using accessible and everyday materials. Case studies showing the positive impact of creativity, from developing children’s cultural understanding to soothing and supporting children with sensory experiences. Suggestions for enthusing children with a love of words, enabling them to express their thoughts and feelings through creative language. Moments for reflection to encourage readers to pause and consider the impact of creativity on their own wellbeing as well as the wellbeing of children in their care. With ideas included that every practitioner can use in their setting, this book is an essential tool for early years professionals who want to build their confidence in using creativity in their practice whilst supporting children’s wellbeing.

Reviews of the first edition “In addition to expected information about developmental stages and caregiver response, Duffy discusses diversity and accessibility issues that affect children’s response to opportunities to express their creativity … an admirably detailed guide to creativity for persons involved in caring for young children.†Education Review “The strength of Bernadette Duffy’s book is her ability to share through tables, examples, theory and reflections her deep understanding of children’s creative process…†Montessori International Magazine Learning through the arts has the potential to stimulate open ended activity that encourages discovery, exploration, experimentation and invention, thus contributing to children’s development in all areas of learning and helping to make the curriculum meaningful to them. Bernadette Duffy draws on her extensive experience of promoting young children's creativity and imagination to examine how visual representations, music, dance, imaginative play and drama can enable children to express their feelings, thoughts and responses. She highlights examples of good practice and provides practical guidance for those working with young children in a variety of settings, including home, school and centre-based care. Updated throughout, this second edition considers creativity and imagination in the light of contemporary initiatives such as Every Child Matters, Birth to Three Matters, Sure Start and the Foundation Stage curriculum. Supporting Creativity and Imagination in the Early Yearsis essential reading for early years practitioners and students, as well as anyone who delights in young children's learning and development and wants to explore new ways of supporting it.

Creativity is firmly embedded in curricular, exam and inspection schemes. Focusing on children aged three to eight, this book discusses the teaching of creativity, explaining the implications for practice, theory and policy, through a consideration of pedagogy, curriculum, learning and assessment.

Children's experiences and well-being in their earliest years underpin and highly influence their future development and learning. Drawing on research with parents, children and a range of professionals in the early childhood field, this book considers how well-being is interpreted in the early childhood field. It includes snapshots of what our youngest children think about their well-being, and examines external environmental contexts that impact on well-being. The book raises a number of important issues and clarifies priorities that need to be kept at the forefront of practice and provision, such as the fundamental importance of prioritizing children and families' socio-cultural contexts, addressing inequalities and developing a listening culture. Importantly, there is also focus on appropriate pedagogical approaches and aspects of practice that support children's well-being in early childhood settings, such as adult-child relationships, quality interactions, physical play and creative expression. The book also highlights the inseparability of adults' and children's well-being and therefore the need to consider contexts that enhance the potential for parents and practitioners to experience well-being. For all students and practitioners who want to put young children's well-being at the forefront of their practice this is a fascinating, thought provoking and illuminating read. Contributors: Deborah Albon, Mary Dickins, Melian Mansfield, Penny Holland, Micky LeVoguer, Penny Mukherji, Jasmine Pasch, Linda Pound, Judy Stevenson "This book is a timely reminder that young children have a right to be listened to. Wellbeing as a concept is redefined using the voices of children, parents and practitioners. Important questions are raised about the cost to individuals and society if this is not taken seriously." Dilys Wilson, Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies at Middlesex University, UK "This text brings together research literature, theoretical understanding and practical application. The book captures the essence of early childhood and provides a dialogue and debate of holistically challenging well-being for all. This is a book to be treasured." Dr Lesley Curtis, Headteacher/Head of Centre, Everton Nursery School and Family Centre "This book is an essential discussion and authoritative account of the explorations and research outcomes of the LMU/NCB project 'Talking about well-being in early childhood'. The book represents multi-faceted perspectives about children's wellbeing that underpin the values and principles of inclusion, understanding that children are citizens with personhood and rights." Estelle Martin, Anglia Ruskin University, UK "This book is based on a deep and honest respect for young children and the adults who work and play with them and it illustrates with passion and insight the ways in which emotional and physical well-being are built on positive relationships and connections between people." Helen Moylett, Early Years Consultant and writer "This book opens up the way for future analysis of how society can become more at ease with itself so that the unwitting consequences of deeply embedded institutional discrimination, intolerance, negative assumptions, expectations and judgements are removed from young children's lives." Jane Lane (advocate worker for racial equality in the early years)

A new practical guide to understanding and planning creative activities that promote a child's learning, development and well-being, with specific regard to age and stage of development. Introduces and examines the role and benefits of creative media - such as movement and dance, visual arts, drama and music - as a form of communication, therapy and education. Applies the themes and principles of Aistear and Siolta to all activities. Demonstrates examples of child-led indoor and outdoor activities based on the creative arts curriculum, with emphasis on process-based play. Provides clear step-by-step instructions for planning, implementing and assessing activities, taking possible financial and time restrictions into consideration. Emphasises the role of the adult in facilitating the child's engagement within the creative arts curriculum. Presents recent changes in legislation and pre-school regulations in Ireland, and current views and findings on creativity in early childhood. Follows the ethos of the HighScope model, while referring to the work of other philosophies such as Reggio Emilia. Wriiten For: Creative Arts for Early Childhood Level 5 module [5N1769] and Early Childhood Arts and Culture Level 6 module [6N1936], as part of the Early Childhood Care and Education QQI awards Any childcare modules where creative activities form an integral part of assessment

′An excellent resource for all those working with young children... jam-packed with exciting, inspirational activities that encourage young children to nurture their creativity and imagination while helping practitioners to facilitate what children do naturally... It is a book that celebrates and encourages original thought and action to support learning through exploration and investigation, recognising that creativity is about representing one′s own image and not reproducing someone else′s′ - Early Years Educator ′[I]nspirational... This book is easy to read, refreshing and exciting, and I would recommend it to all those working with young children. It is also useful for students, clearly articulating the reasons for providing well-organised child-initiated creative opportunities rather than adult-directed activities′ - Nursery World It is an interesting and informative manual aimed at those who work with children in the 3-5 years age range, and is therefore most suited to anyone in a Pre-School or Day Nursery setting, and could also be valuable to a Reception Teacher...over all, I found this to be a very useful book′. - National Childminding Association Packed full of exciting ideas and powerful visual aids, 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 an early years setting, and transfers these inspirational activities onto the page. The book includes: " practical activities in Art, Dance and Music and ideas on how to link them together; " advice on how to make the most of music, lighting, space and nursery resources; " showing how the work supports the Foundation Stage Curriculum; " ideas for cross-curricular work; " suggestions for recording children′s progress; " advice on how to choose materials, and a list of specialist suppliers. Everyone involved in working with young children should read this book. Nursery practitioners, early years teachers, Sure Start workers, play workers and Children′s Centre staff will find it an invaluable resource. It is also useful for specialist staff in hospitals and other areas of health.

Now in an updated second edition, The Wellbeing of Children under Three unravels what wellbeing means for this age group by making clear links between research and effective early years practice. It looks at what wellbeing means for under threes in the light of key aspects of international social policy, and practically demonstrates how practitioners can support children in this area. Focusing on the home-setting partnership with parents, work attitudes, adult-child interaction and quality learning environments, the book explores the role that adults play in holistically supporting children's individual personal, social and emotional needs. This new edition also includes new material on practitioner mental health and the Leuven scales as a measure of wellbeing. Each chapter features: clear explanation of relevant theories case studies and examples of good practice focus points for readers questions for reflective practice Providing a wealth of practical ideas and activities, this handy text encourages the exploration of all aspects of babies' and toddlers' wellbeing to help practitioners ensure effective outcomes for the youngest children in their care, and is essential reading for all those working with the under threes.