160 pages
244 x 170mm, colour illustrations
ISBN: 978 1 85856 434 0
July 2008

One child approached with her fist clenched, saying 'I've got a story in my hand and I need to get it out'

Children are born equipped with creative capacities: the drive to explore, to hypothesise, to make connections and to communicate. Creativity affects all aspects of children's development.

The arts-based research project 5x5x5=creativity is discovering how this creative potential can be supported in children’s and adults’ lives, in educational settings and in their homes. It began eith five artists in five educational settings, and five cultural centres (galleries, theatres, music centres) working in dynamic, multiprofessional and researchful partnership to support young children’s creativity. It owes a debt to the creative educational approach of early years’ settings in Reggio Emilia in Italy, but has developed its own identity.

The book's account of the discoveries over seven years in 55 schools and preschools across five local authorities will whet the appetites of others. Visually exciting, multi-layered and informative, it aims to inspire and transform personal and professional practice in educating children. The book considers

• the philosophical framework, based on valuing children as competent creative
  learners
  
• the context and history of the approach


• case studies and the stories of adults and children about transformative learning


• the practical framework of the collaborative researchful practice


• integrated working in partnerships.

Researching children researching the world will appeal to a wide readership among teachers, preschool workers, artists, colleagues in cultural centres, researchers, managers, advisors, policy makers, parents and older students in schools and colleges. It is an important text for those studying for Foundation degrees, B.Ed, PGCE, Masters programmes, NVQ. There is a dearth of material for artists working in educational settings and this book offers valuable information to museums, galleries, and theatres.

Penny Hay (Director of 5x5x5-creativity's research), Susi Bancroft and Mary Fawcett (evaluators) are all experienced authors. Penny is known for her many contributions in arts education and Mary for her text Learning through Child Observation. Artists and educators also contribute chapters.