Storywheel
Welcome to Sarah Fitzjohn-Scott's research website...
The fantasies of any group form the basis of its culture; this is where we search for common ground. That which we have forgotten how to do the children do best of all: They make up stories.
Gussin Paley,V The Boy Who Would Be A Helicopter (1991) First Harvard University Press London
A study of the positive impact small stage theatre work has on children's free play in an early learning environment during a six-week focus period.
- Individual children volunteer to tell me a story of their choice. This can be based on any topic they choose, for example a well-known tale or entirely from their imaginations.
- I will transcribe the story exactly as they tell me.
- After I have transcribed a number of stories each child is reminded of their own story and asked which character they would like to play when acting it out.
- Children do not have to act in their own story if they do not wish to.
- Each child can choose who plays the other parts in their story
- A simple stage is marked out on the floor.
- As each child's story is read the children take the stage and act it out.
- The other storytellers and children from the nursery take on the important role of the audience.
- The plays may be watched once or re-run by audience request.
Background
I have gained permission from all parents and carers for their children to take part in this mini-research project following a recognised checklist to negotiate access. (Adapted from Bell 1991) The identities of all the children and their families are confidential and anonymity is assured.
Research Methods
- Observations of the children by staff at the Nursery and myself.
- Questioning of the children, where the children respond by
1. Choosing pictorial representations of emotions on an individual basis
2. Posting their names into boxes labelled with a picture to give a group response (this will also help me with the individual responses)
- Questionnaires and dialogues with parents
Childrens' Stories
Questionnaire for parents and carers
This page has been viewed 6184 times.