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 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. A number of underlying themes are important throughout the book. All are related to the potential for quality arts experiences in the early years to achieve transformational outcomes for children. These include:

• the enhancement and development of children's creativity and imagination
• the encouragement of children's innate problem solving abilities
• the opportunity to experience a diversity of cultures and a broad world view
• the scaffolding of positive attitudes, skills and ways of being (habits of mind) to help children flourish in the 21st century.

This book is grounded in current research and practice about the importance of the Arts in young children's lives. Written explicitly for early childhood pre-service and in-service teachers, parents and caregivers, it includes a range of engaging and practical creative arts activities and suggested experiences for children from birth to eight years of age.

Key points:

• Provides a combination of research, activities and real world vignettes.
• Reinforces partnerships between parents and early childhood practitioners and teachers.
• Covers a broad range of artistic experiences such as storytelling, art appreciation, puppetry, paint and clay, drama and music.
• Aligns with the Early Years Learning Framework and the key learning areas in the Australian national curriculum for the Arts.