Creativity & Wonder!
Nature, art and wellbeing sessions for young people
These sessions have worked so well for all ages throughout Primary and Secondary
and in Alternative Provision
and in Alternative Provision
For celebrating the young person’s interests and encouraging expression and communication in a variety of different ways, through art, exploration, curiosity, wonder, language, poetry, nature and movement.
With guidance, gentle encouragement and experimentation, a new sense of freedom arises. Nervousness transforms over time into a willingness to have a go and to see... and then surprises happen... and when anxiety is released little by little, new sparks and discoveries take place…
Engaging in this way helps to develop confidence, self-awareness and the courage to express freely, letting go of outcomes for how things ‘ought’ to be. This can free the young person into exploring, feeling safe and making choices ....in their creativity and achievements... and in their lives.
With guidance, gentle encouragement and experimentation, a new sense of freedom arises. Nervousness transforms over time into a willingness to have a go and to see... and then surprises happen... and when anxiety is released little by little, new sparks and discoveries take place…
Engaging in this way helps to develop confidence, self-awareness and the courage to express freely, letting go of outcomes for how things ‘ought’ to be. This can free the young person into exploring, feeling safe and making choices ....in their creativity and achievements... and in their lives.
- Where the art element is the focus, many traditional exercises are also incorporated such as blind contour drawing, non-dominant hand drawing and continuous line in order to free expectations, and help to improve artistic skills.
- Many artists traditional and contemporary will also inspire elements of the sessions, as will poets and writers, and a variety of music and genres.
Most importantly, the sessions are tailored specifically for the individual student.
There are focused themes for each session, with space and flexibility for creative exploration, and diverse approaches.
The sessions can help with self-regulation, fine motor skills and coordination.
The sessions are gentle and paced for the learner... & always aim to be enjoyable! :)
Sessions can take place indoors or outdoors and at various locations decided upon together.
Perhaps you might like to try some...
Nature Sketching & Birdsong walks
On a lovely morning or afternoon we can walk and sketch outside, listening for birds, nature and the wind through the trees.
Perhaps some quiet sitting too... or some journalling & writing...
Or a walking meditation :)
Or forest bathing...
And using all of our senses, to notice...
Perhaps some quiet sitting too... or some journalling & writing...
Or a walking meditation :)
Or forest bathing...
And using all of our senses, to notice...
A little history/experience...
Since 2018 I have been running workshops for women centred around intuitive painting and wellbeing. These have gone so beautifully well and were initially held locally and in-person where groups of up to 8 met each week in a local church hall to paint and share together.
Since Covid these moved online and became International sessions. They follow a very similar structure to the in-person sessions and work so well. They’ve grown and developed and now I have run over 160 classes/sessions.
A new opportunity arose in 2022 when contacted by a mum who had funding to find an activity for her 10-year-old daughter and herself to participate in together.
They had 10 Saturday sessions (each 1.5hrs) with me and it was a joy getting to know them; the daughter’s confidence grew so wonderfully over the weeks. Each session centred around her interests and these were developed through painting, sharing, journalling, music, meditation, and traditional art exercises.
I used experienced teaching skills and approaches for these, with the planning, progression and reflection and felt so inspired that the sessions worked for mum and daughter just as well as for the women in the Meditation Art sessions.
Since then, I have delivered Creativity & Wonder sessions for students aged 13 - 22 with EHCPs, via TOAST (Cornwall Neighbourhoods for Change) and EOTAS alternative providers and these have been so wonderful. In small groups and 1-1 sessions.
Since Covid these moved online and became International sessions. They follow a very similar structure to the in-person sessions and work so well. They’ve grown and developed and now I have run over 160 classes/sessions.
A new opportunity arose in 2022 when contacted by a mum who had funding to find an activity for her 10-year-old daughter and herself to participate in together.
They had 10 Saturday sessions (each 1.5hrs) with me and it was a joy getting to know them; the daughter’s confidence grew so wonderfully over the weeks. Each session centred around her interests and these were developed through painting, sharing, journalling, music, meditation, and traditional art exercises.
I used experienced teaching skills and approaches for these, with the planning, progression and reflection and felt so inspired that the sessions worked for mum and daughter just as well as for the women in the Meditation Art sessions.
Since then, I have delivered Creativity & Wonder sessions for students aged 13 - 22 with EHCPs, via TOAST (Cornwall Neighbourhoods for Change) and EOTAS alternative providers and these have been so wonderful. In small groups and 1-1 sessions.
- We have also worked on themes around Life Skills and Independent Living - finding creative ways to develop key skills and understanding.
- We have planned creative approaches including photography, fund-raising, painting, poetry, music, map-making, nature trails, legends, short stories, and writing menus ...when visiting places such as Tehidy Country Park and Flicka Donkey Sanctuary.
A few images painting to music...
I regularly check the safe environment of these spaces and the suitability of the settings for activities and instruction, and of course will always check each time, depending on the specific needs of the child/young person or small group.
Throughout my teaching career I’ve taken regular Safeguarding training to ensure best practice.
I have an Enhanced DBS which renews automatically via the Update Service.
I have full Public & Products Liability (PPL) and Professional Indemnity (PI) Insurance via a-n The Artists Information Company.
Throughout my teaching career I’ve taken regular Safeguarding training to ensure best practice.
I have an Enhanced DBS which renews automatically via the Update Service.
I have full Public & Products Liability (PPL) and Professional Indemnity (PI) Insurance via a-n The Artists Information Company.
Art UK resources
These have also been wonderful when adapted for some of the students I've worked with...
Zoom sessions
Zoom sessions often work beautifully and I have worked with high-achieving, gifted students too who respond very well when working in this way.
Even with extreme anxiety, students can gain confidence, share and create amazing work - and they flourish when their creativity flows.
Some students have worked throughout the week on projects set after our session and it has been so inspiring to witness this.
Sessions can range from 20 mins to 1.5 hours, whatever suits best...
Even with extreme anxiety, students can gain confidence, share and create amazing work - and they flourish when their creativity flows.
Some students have worked throughout the week on projects set after our session and it has been so inspiring to witness this.
Sessions can range from 20 mins to 1.5 hours, whatever suits best...
Examples of art & wellbeing sessions created that act as springboards...
(inspired by the student's interests) - this was for a talented art student (aged 16)
(inspired by the student's interests) - this was for a talented art student (aged 16)
So many other options for all ages and interests can also work really well via Zoom.
Please do contact me if you'd like to discuss further.
Please do contact me if you'd like to discuss further.
Teaching Experience
I am a fully qualified teacher with a PGCE - BA (Hons) English and Drama - for ages 11-18. Qualified in 2001.
I have taught students 1:1 via EOTAS (Educating Other than at School) with TFF (Together for Families) and Cornwall Services.
I have also taught in Penwith College for 10 years – mainly as an A-Level English lecturer
also as:
GCSE English and Functional Skills teacher (in Bude and Leamington Spa)
TEFL teacher/coordinator for Penwith for mature students,
Lecturer in Study Skills for Level 4 (first year University students)
1-1 Learning mentor for students on all courses identified with different learning needs and Home school tutor
1-1 mentor for mature students studying HND courses and juggling home, children, wellbeing, and returning to academic learning.
I have also had much experience when my son was younger, and more recently, of supply teaching in Secondary Schools
around West Cornwall, including a PRU,
and also Primary Schools – teaching Year 4 and above and 1-1 SEND students also.
I am a fully qualified teacher with a PGCE - BA (Hons) English and Drama - for ages 11-18. Qualified in 2001.
I have taught students 1:1 via EOTAS (Educating Other than at School) with TFF (Together for Families) and Cornwall Services.
I have also taught in Penwith College for 10 years – mainly as an A-Level English lecturer
also as:
GCSE English and Functional Skills teacher (in Bude and Leamington Spa)
TEFL teacher/coordinator for Penwith for mature students,
Lecturer in Study Skills for Level 4 (first year University students)
1-1 Learning mentor for students on all courses identified with different learning needs and Home school tutor
1-1 mentor for mature students studying HND courses and juggling home, children, wellbeing, and returning to academic learning.
I have also had much experience when my son was younger, and more recently, of supply teaching in Secondary Schools
around West Cornwall, including a PRU,
and also Primary Schools – teaching Year 4 and above and 1-1 SEND students also.
Policies
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