Expressive and Aesthetic Development

We will provide a variety of contexts to allow the children to express and create ideas, feelings and imagination, as well as enjoying different sounds, sights, shapes and textures.At all times we will encourage the children to enjoy participating in and experiencing the activities available to them, focussing on the processes of learning rather than the end product. We understand that young children often need time to watch  others before engaging in creative activities themselves. Therefore we will ensure that time is given for confidence to build before participation is encouraged.

It is our belief that children are at their most creative when provided with a stimulus which engages the senses: a yellow bowl of oranges sitting at the painting table alongside orange and yellow paint! This allows the children to create their own response to what they see and is a perfect illustration of creativity in action.

Opportunities to make decisions, plan and organise the materials and be involved in tidying up are crucial to the expressive and aesthetic experience. A wide variety of materials such as pens, paper, paint, playdough, clay, junk and collage is available to the children on a regular basis allowing them to explore and investigate, as well as express their thoughts and feelings.

The children’s work is used as the basis of ever changing classroom displays and decorations, encouraging a sense of pride in what they have created.

Imaginations are developed through the sensitive support and intervention of staff members during role play and puppet play. A variety of Imaginative Play areas are provided over the year linked to the various themes undertaken for investigation. These can include:

·       A home corner

·       A supermarket

·       A Post Office

·       A Hospital

The children will be encouraged to use movements, gestures and facial expressions alongside spoken language to help the role play situation to develop.

“Small world” toys such as train sets and doll’s houses are similarly used to invent imaginative situations, as are puppets and drama.

Music is a very important feature of Nursery life and is used in a variety of ways. The children have daily access to musical instruments, as well as opportunities to:

·       Listen and respond to sounds and rhythms, songs and music

·       Sing and clap

·       Move rhythmically and expressively to music

·       Express their thoughts and feelings through music and song

Reviewed October 2003

Reviewed October 2003