Activity Introduction

art-blue-photoframeQuick summary: In this activity, Story Stones will be used to inspire storytelling by children, or to enhance your own storytelling. Story Stones can be used to spark an idea, engage children in a story you are reading together, encourage creative collaboration, support comprehension, and as a non-threatening communication tool for non-verbal or non-English speaking children. 

Activity developed in partnership with the    GWF logo

 

This activity has been designed to develop the creative potential of young children through experiential learning in the arts.

  EYLF Learning Outcome

  Elaborations

Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity

  1. Children feel safe, secure and supported
  2. Children develop their emerging autonomy, interdependence, resilience and sense of agency
  3. Children develop knowledgeable and confident self-identities
  4. Children learn to interact in relation to others with care, empathy and respect

Outcome 2: Children are connected and contribute to their world

  1. Children develop a sense of belonging to groups and communities and an understanding of the reciprocal rights and responsibilities necessary for active civic participation

Outcome 3: Children have a strong sense of well being

  1. Children become strong in their social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing
  2. Children develop a range of skills and processes such as problem solving, enquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating
  3. Children take increasing responsibility for their own health and physical well being

Outcome 4: Children are confident and involved learners

  1. Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity, cooperation, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination and reflexivity
  2. Children transfer and adapt what they have learnt from one context to another
  3. Children resource their own learning through connecting with people, place, technologies, and natural and processed materials

Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators

  1. Children interact verbally and non verbally with others for a range of purposes
  2. Children express ideas and make meaning using a range of media

 

Equipment needed:

  • Smooth stones (the number depends on how many you want to make, you are limited only by your imagination). You could also use cards or other materials, we just love using natural materials though! They are very tactile and provide an opportunity to provide a sensory experience.
  • Permanent markers, acrylic paint, stickers, leaves, sand, twigs, seeds, old books, old magazines, old catalogues, scissors, glue and paintbrushes.
  • The Story Stone Adventure Cards may also provide valuable inspiration to you and the children. 

Supporting resources:

Other resources:

Topic: Creativity.

The team at Cool Australia continually reviews and refines our Early Learning resources in line with expert advice and current educational practices.

 

Worksheets

Teacher Worksheet

art-orange-photoframeBackground information

What is Creativity?

Creativity is a skill and a way of thinking, rather than a talent we are each born with (or born without!) Creativity is an essential skill in many aspects of life - problem solving, resilience, maths, science, and social and emotional intelligence; and it is our most valuable human resource.

Creativity is a process that allows us to form original thoughts and ideas through exploration, discovery and imagination. The creative process is very much about the process rather than the product, the journey rather than the destination. We all have the capacity to be creative, however it is a skill that requires practice. It is also important to provide an environment and resources that support creative thinking and expression, especially for young children.

Sir Ken Robinson: Do Schools Kill Creativity? (https://vimeo.com/20146136)

The benefits of nurturing Creativity

Creativity is a vital skill for the 21st century. Creative thinking allows u

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