Artists Details

Art skills

Puppetry, Story telling

Other skills

Communication

Phase/sector

Early Years Foundation Stage framework

Prepared to work

Yorkshire

Pandora''s Daughter

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Statement

I use puppetry and storytelling to spark off creative projects with groups or classes of children across the ability range. I particularly enjoy working with early years because puppetry is such an instant communication medium. It combines language, movement (co-ordination), simple characterisation and above all, humour. It is an adaptable medium and I can get a large group of nursery children to work creatively together, or I can work with an individual special needs child. I was an English teacher and also write children's books under my pen name Mary Lister, so my main interest is language development through puppetry. I am a trained teacher with many years experience too! I usually bring in a simple set (e.g. a seashore or a tree) and some puppets. The children make their on choice of puppet character to go in the setting and I suggest a simple structure for a story that will give every child opportunities to co-operate and work with others, as well as for individuals creative expression. Often I use songs or instruments. Things are always improvised but usually shown at the end (to parents or other children). My husband Ken is a storyteller, generally working with Keystage 2 on themes such as the Ancient Greeks - but also with me on certain projects such as the Magic Attic and Story of the Earth.

Experience

art in education

2003 Trainer - Working with parents, carers and children Parklands Childrens Centre, Leeds

2000-2002 Artist/Trainer - Working with psychologists and carers in the art therapy centre and in orphanages Musika, Timisoara, Romania

1990-2001 Educator/Facilitator/Artist in Residence - Various projects for early years using storytelling, puppetry and music West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds

1980-2003 Artist/Facilitator - Projects across the country , various locations

1980-2003 INSET Trainer - Various local authorities

Website

www.pandorasdaughter.co.uk

Projects

The Mermaid's Tale, 2003 , The Vale School, Knottingley
Early years children made puppets of sea creatures and birds to join in a story about an elderly mermaid. Their tasks were to make a puppet to help the mermaid feel she had friends, and to sing a more..."

The Weather Project, 2003 , Heaton Avenue School, Cleckheaton
Brief: To involve children in the whole process of creating a story with puppet characters, percussion and participation with singing and sound effects. Many different, varied activities leading to more..."

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