Chalvey Early Years - Cast concrete tiles - Creative Partnerships
We began a series of workshops with staff from each area. We wanted to build on their commitment, talents and skills, and give them an opportunity to experiment and play. The workshops gave us a chance to get to know the staff and for them to spend time with us. We felt that this was crucial at this early stage, in order for the ownership of the project to be shared.
|
We wanted to use a material that was already familiar and ‘everyday’. There is a big sandpit at Chalvey Early Years. This is used for all kinds of imaginative play and often forms the backdrop for storytelling, looking at history as well as pure fun!
We had brightly coloured sand and plastic ‘jewels’ to add to the shapes pressed into the sand. The children, parents and staff took to sand easily. Whilst they were very at ease with this material, they were able to feel less self conscious and didn’t have to deal with a material alien to them. At the same time we were using the sand in a different way. Staff and parents don’t always have the same opportunities for play and they really enjoyed it! |
Some children enjoyed manipulating and patterns and shapes in the sand, some enjoyed sprinkling the brightly coloured sand onto the surface of their images, some liked placing the ‘jewels’ into the sand.
Others enjoyed using the water squirter! This led to another activity. Observing the interest in the water squirter, staff arranged for all the children to play with squirting paint onto paper. We poured concrete into the boxes containing the images that children and staff had made in the damp sand. After 24 hours, we could break open the moulds and brush and wash the sand from the completed tiles. The activity was accessible to all the age and ability ranges. Disabled children in the Assessment Unit responded very well not only to the project but also – in partnership with staff – to our inclusive approach. The tiles are now on the external walls of the nursery building. They are sited at the two entrances where parents and children pass by. Two more sets have been put at a height where small children are able to explore the surfaces and textures with their hands. We are particularly pleased with this project where process and product are so closely linked. Christine Wilkinson Alan Daniel December 2005 |