Wide Eyes Arts and Creativity Festival

Early Childhood Ireland was delighted to be part of a busy week in Galway celebrating the arts and creativity in early childhood. Wide Eyes, a European creativity & the arts festival coordinated by Babaro for children age 0-6 years, took place in Galway last week. Early Childhood Ireland was delighted to collaborate with Baboro and co-hosted a free talk on creativity and the arts in the early years at the Mick Lally Theatre in the Druid Galway. Caroilin Callery from Roscommon, Lucy Hill from Mayo and Phillida Eves from Galway presented showcases of practice, giving visibility to the rich variety of experiences young children have in ECEC settings.

Early Childhood Ireland’s Rita Melia presented on creativity and the arts in ECEC settings in Ireland, highlighting the wonderful work identified by members through the inspiring practice awards and ECI children’s book club and other arts projects. Participants on the night were enthralled to hear the story of the “Jelly King” which brought the voice of the playful competent child into the room. ECI’s Frances Byrne brought proceedings to a close, chairing a dynamic discussion on the creative schools programme with Hazel Darwin-Clements from Starcatchers Scotland, Roberto Frabetti from La Baracca Italy, Rita Melia from ECI and Madeline Boughton from Creative Ireland. Early Childhood Ireland was honoured to bring arts and creativity in early childhood settings in Ireland to an audience from Ireland and across the globe.

“Nothing without Joy” ( Malaguzzi)