Pub performance expands teaching repertoire

Early childhood education students gathered in the Flinders University tavern to showcase their creativity, while gaining courage and confidence in artistic expression.

For aspiring early childhood teachers, dancing, painting and singing are not just valuable skills but important ways to engage young children in learning.

While the fun factor is undoubted, research also supports the effectiveness of creative arts in fostering social skills and emotional insights in young children, while providing alternative pathways into literacy.

The Gala Day in the Flinders Tavern, held on 6 April 2018, saw students perform in front of family, friends, peers and strangers.

It was the culmination of a six-week program where second-year early childhood education students learnt from experienced artists across visual arts, drama, music, dance and digital media. They studied the talk, walked the walk and found the fun in working collaboratively as they reflected on the theme of ‘hope’ – including how it could be expressed through their chosen art form.

Although somewhat intimidating, taking performances out to the boisterous tavern environment provided a wonderful opportunity for students to overcome fears and practice risk taking.

The experience helped them establish a foundation for an unbridled approach to embracing the arts, as an important part of their teaching tool-kits.

 

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