Creative Arts in the Lives of Young Children: Play, imagination and learning

Creative Arts in the Lives of Young Children draws together two essential strands in contemporary educational discourse - the critical importance of high quality care and education in the early years, and the central role that imaginative arts experiences can and should play in the lives of all young children.

This book closely aligns with the Early Years Learning Framework, and also addresses curriculum requirements for the Arts in the early years of school.

It highlights the potential for quality arts experiences to transform educational outcomes through:

• Enhancing and developing children’s creativity and imagination
• Encouraging children’s problem-solving abilities
• Exposing children to a diversity of cultures and a broad and inclusive world view
• Scaffolding and modelling positive attributes and habits of mind to help children flourish in the 21st century.

With contributions from academics and teachers, foreword by Andrew Upton and Cate Blanchet, addressing topics from play and storytelling, to literature, drama, puppetry, music, visual media and art appreciation, Creative Arts in the Lives of Young Children is essential reading for pre-service and in-service teachers, as well as for parents and caregivers.

The rich research base is readily supported by real-world examples, practical activities and ideas for further thought. With a particular focus on birth to age eight, the subject matter and suggested experiences can be adapted to suit children of all ages, with diverse needs and across a wide range of learning contexts.