National Conversation on Education: Children’s Creative Spaces
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley is inviting children from Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare services across the country to take part in Children’s Creative Spaces celebrating the theme “Where I learn and play”.
The aim is to give children the opportunity to express creativity, belonging, and their own experiences of their setting (Early Years or School-Age Childcare/After-School) adding their voice as part of the National Conversation on Education: the First Five Years and School-Age Childcare.
If your service would like to participate, all you have to do is:
- Talk to the children about Minister Foley’s invitation for them to tell her about the spaces they learn and play in through creative a
- Using a variety of art materials children explore Where I learn and play.
- Use some prompts with the children such as
- Draw something you love doing here.
◊ What is your favourite place in our setting?
◊ What do you like and what would you like more of?
◊ What do you not like?
◊ Draw yourself here.
◊ What makes this place fun?
◊ What do you enjoy playing or learning about here?
◊ Who is with you when you learn?
◊ If you could add anything magical here, what would it be?
Invite children to reflect on their creations. Capture children’s accompanying dialogue on the artwork.
- Can you tell me the story of your drawing?
- What is the favourite part of your picture?
- Is there anything you would like me to write about it?
Take pictures of children’s individual art or a group artwork and submit to admin@cavanccc.ie
Services can also submit a piece of existing artwork from learning journals if it’s relevant to the theme.
Timeline
31 March – 30 April
Educators/settings engage in art activities with the children in their service. 7 May
Submission deadline for digital version of artwork to CCCs via admin@cavanccc.ie 15 May – 31 May
Keep an eye out for local galleries on your CCC website and social media accounts for your service’s artwork.
Please note: Artwork submitted to the Children’s Creative Spaces may be published on gov.ie, on CCC websites, in future government documents, in follow–up reports, and on social media accounts. By submitting artwork, it will be taken that consent has been obtained by services from children and parents for the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and the City and County Childcare Committees.
