Project Type:
Early Years, Arts Engagement, Research
Date:
2025
Participant Group:
Early Years Preschool Children
Artists :
Maree Hensey, Naomi Draper
Partners:
Inspiring Minds and Holy Family Preschools
Funders:
Arts Council Ireland
Arts Council Early Years Project
Kids’ Own, supported by funding from Arts Council Ireland, is thrilled to present this innovative project that builds on our participation in the 2023 pilot and deepens our long-standing commitment to meaningful collaboration with early years children. Focused on fostering child-led engagement, this project will take place in two Early Learning and Care (ELC) settings in Sligo:
- Inspiring Minds Preschool, continuing a strong and collaborative partnership.
- Holy Family Preschool, working with artists for the first time to bring transformative creative experiences to children with additional needs.
This project integrates creative exploration, professional development, and documentation to amplify inclusivity, collaboration, and learning across the early years and arts sectors.
About the Project
Kids’ Own associate artists Maree Hensey and Naomi Draper will work with both preschools, using a process-led, material-focused, and child-centred approach. The focus will be on non-verbal invitations to participation, which is especially meaningful for non-verbal children, neurodiverse children, and those with intellectual or physical disabilities.
This approach fosters creative expression and participation by prioritising:
- Material Exploration: Using materials as tools for communication and self-expression.
- Immersive, Repetitive Practices: Encouraging curiosity, wonder, and meditative engagement with the creative process.
At Holy Family Preschool, the residency will allow every child to participate fully, ensuring equitable access to creative experiences. This partnership marks the school’s first collaboration with artists, offering children unique opportunities to engage in visual arts.
Capacity Building
A core component of the project is professional development, designed to strengthen the skills and knowledge of both artists and educators:
- Mentoring Emerging Artists:
- A new artist committed to early years practice will be mentored, gaining hands-on experience alongside a lead project artist.
- Creative Sharing Days:
- Sharing Practices: Artists and educators will reflect and share insights from their work in the project.
- Educator Creative Session: Facilitated by project artists, this free session will explore process-led approaches to working with young children, offering new tools and inspiration for educators.
These efforts aim to build a sustainable network of professionals skilled in child-led arts engagement.
Sharing the Learning
Throughout the project, documentation and reflection will play a central role. The insights gained will be collected into a professionally designed digital publication, ensuring the learnings can be shared widely across the early years and arts sectors.
Why This Project Matters
By focusing on process-led, inclusive arts engagement, this project gives every child a voice, particularly those who may not otherwise have access to these experiences. It highlights the value of non-verbal communication in fostering creative expression and ensures that children’s unique perspectives are heard and celebrated.
With a commitment to professional development and shared learning, the project will leave a lasting legacy, contributing to the growth of both the arts and early childhood education sectors.
Read more about our work with Early Years Children here: https://kidsown.ie/projects/katherine-howard-foundation-early-year-project/
Image by Cian Flynn