Archive for August, 2008
Friday, August 22nd, 2008Successful Summer Training
Playtrain has recently completed a successful summer of training for adults working with children 0-19 yrs. Training days included learning simple techniques to unlock the creative potential of new media with children and young people in our Digital Play Day at Symphony Hall. An Introduction to the Reggio Approach, training for emerging artists and creative practitioners that wished to develop their workshop skills in Planning and Delivering Creative Workshops and a session to look at effective methods for Promoting Positive Behaviour and Self Esteem.
Playtrain’s Great Outdoors training was designed to support artists and play practitioners in the provision of fun and engaging outdoor activities with 4 to 19 yr olds. Wild Tales and Nature Trails and Wild at Art encouraged exploration of the natural world through storytelling, nature trails, imaginative play, team building and constructing with natural materials.
Wild at Art was a special treat for those interested in exploring creativity in the natural world and a unique opportunity to work alongside environmental sculptor Ian Randall in the mini-oasis of Martineau Gardens.
Ian creates work for sculpture trails and sculptures for urban landscapes. He is also renown for the Big Wood Sculpture workshop which takes place annually with students attending the Derby University therapeutic arts course.
Ian responds to, works with and alongside nature to create intriguing and often mysterious artworks that appear to grow out of the natural environment. His work is very much about process and acknowledges the transient nature of creating art in the outdoors. Some pieces may change in minutes after being made; others can remain for much longer changing subtly with the weather, the interaction of wildlife and the elements.
Participants worked together and acquired skills and ideas on how to use those materials provided by the immediate natural landscape. Using very basic but effective construction techniques; modelling with clay mud; assembling and arranging natural materials; exploring colour, textures and the abundance of materials; the course worked towards the creation of a fantastic sculpture which was left in Martineau Gardens.
Playtrain will be running an Autumn training session on 17 October at Martineau Gardens for more information please call the team.
Other training dates coming soon…
Inclusive Dance and Movement
16 and 23 October 2008 6-9pm at Friends Institute, Birmingham
Over two sessions this training course aims to develop participant’s use of inclusive dance and movement as a tool for encouraging children’s creativity and individual expression.
Trash to Trimmings
6 and 20 November 2008 6-9pm at Friends Institute, Birmingham
Celebrate the festive season and promote sustainability at the same time with this creative recycling medley. Playtrain will inspire you with techniques and fun ideas to make decorations and novelties from a range of scrap materials that will make your setting shine.
This course is ideal for settings that work with 5-11 year olds.
No experience necessary, come and ‘play’ with a range of waste materials… and be environmentally inspired!
Please call for more information or to book your place.
