It's Arts Play

List of Figures
List of Tables
List of Pause and Reflect boxes
List of Sparkers
Preface
Acknowledgments

Part 1: Children’s Learning through the Arts

1 Setting the Context

Introduction
The policy and curriculum framework for early childhood education
The Arts in young children’s education
The Arts Learning Area in the Australian Curriculum

2 The Nature of Learning in and through the Arts

Introduction
Ways of knowing
Literacy reframed for the 21st century
The dimensions of learning in the Arts

3 How Arts Experiences Contribute to Children’s Development

Introduction
Laying the foundation for a life of fulfilment
The development of personal capabilities through the Arts
The role of the Arts in literacy and numeracy development

4 Belonging: How Children Belong through the Arts

Introduction
Co-creating the learning environment
Connecting with the home
Children connecting with culture
Children exploring their relationships with others and the local community
Empathy: Understanding how someone else feels
Children in tune with their environment

5 Being: How Children Experience Being Themselves through the Arts

Introduction
Dimensions of children’s experience of being
Creating the environment for children to develop their sense of self

6 Becoming: Ways in which Children Become their Future Selves through the Arts

Introduction
Potential and possibilities: Making meaning of it all
The importance of imagination
Transition and becoming
Identity narratives: Knowing who I am and who I am becoming
The wider world of artistic possibilities

Part 2: Educating through the Arts
7 Learning Experiences in Dance

Introduction to Dance
Dance fundamentals for the early years
Movement activities
Choreographing dance sequences
Guided viewing of dance

8 Learning Experiences in Drama

Introduction to Drama
Drama fundamentals for the early years
Dramatic play as social role-playing
Process-drama
Story Drama
Puppetry
Guided active viewing of drama

9 Learning Experiences in Media Arts

Introduction to Media Arts
Media Arts fundamentals for the early years
Posters and book covers: Stories in image and text
Comic strips and graphic novels
Photo stories and digital storybooks
Video and stop-motion animation
Guided review of media artworks

10 Learning Experiences in Music

Introduction to Music
Music fundamentals for the early years
Listening and exploring sound
Percussion
Singing
Composing
Guided active listening to music

11 Learning Experiences in Visual Arts

Introduction to Visual Arts
Visual Arts fundamentals for the early years
Storytelling and discovery through drawing
Painting and using colour
Making constructions
Connecting to and exploring the Visual Arts world
12Learning Experiences across the Age Groups
EYLF: Age 0–2269
EYLF: Age 3–4272
Australian Curriculum: Foundation–Year 2
Australian Curriculum: Year 3

Part 3: The Professional at Work

13 Arts Pedagogies

Introduction
Creating environments for learning through the Arts
Intentional teaching
Listening, purposeful dialogue and reflecting
Incorporating the CLIMER elements

14 Monitoring, Documenting and Assessing Arts Learning

Introduction
Monitoring learning and documenting observations
Interpreting observations and identifying learning outcomes
Using observations effectively for planning
Sharing narratives of learning
Assessment of curriculum content and achievement standards

15 Planning for Arts Learning

Introduction
Observation-based planning: An emergent curriculum for ages 0–4
Planning for curriculum-based purposeful arts play: Arts learning
Arts curriculum-based planning: Foundation–Year 3
Glossary
Index

Judith Dinham is Professor, Arts Education and Leadership, Curtin University.

Beryl Chalk is remembered as an inspiring drama education specialist and early childhood academic, Curtin University.