Imagining the World through the Arts

In this unit, pre-service teachers focus on the skills and knowledge necessary to teach in and throughout the Arts in the early childhood/primary classroom, as well as the capacity to design and implement arts teaching programs. This unit will help pre-service teachers develop an understanding of the contribution of the Arts to learning in the lives of children, providing them with the skills and understandings to support children’s creativity, self-expression, imagination, and the use of multiple methods of communication to create meaning.

1. Examine key concepts and skills necessary to create Arts based learning experiences.
2. Investigate the relevance and significance of the creative arts in early childhood education.
3. Critique pedagogical principles that support young children’s sensory, intellectual and aesthetic development and creative expression.
4. Plan a range of learning experiences that foster creativity, imagination, self-expression and aesthetic awareness in children from infancy in a variety of ways through offering opportunities that take account of interests and skills.
5. Develop and evaluate appropriate and enjoyable music, dance, visual arts and drama experiences that enable children to build confidence and gain knowledge and skills in these areas.
6. Evaluate arts learning experiences based upon inclusive practises.