A three-year national pilot has shown that embedding teaching for creativity in classrooms can transform teaching practice, improve student engagement, and help rekindle teachers’ passion in their profession.

www.durham.ac.uk/news-events/...

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork

Free Video: Sue Newman and Dr Kathryn Murray on Our Sound Environment Matters Sue Newman & Dr Kathryn Murray reveal how sound environments enhance brain development, learning & wellbeing in early years settings.

New Episode Alert! Sue Newman & Dr Kathryn Murray share how sound environments transform brain development in early years. Learn practical strategies to create calm, focused spaces using music & intentional sound design. www.earlyyears.tv/episode/s...

Matthew Hemley on the value of artistic directors

The Barbican could learn a lesson or two from the Royal Exchange, writes interim editor Matthew Hemley 👇

‘A safe space to come and just be’: the radical, utopian return of Britain’s youth clubs After a decade of austerity closed more than 1,000 centres, the government has promised £500m to renew youth services. We tour a glossy new venue in Preston – and a girls-only one in London

‘A safe space to come and just be’: the radical, utopian return of Britain’s youth clubs

Free Video: Sue Newman and Dr Kathryn Murray on Our Sound Environment Matters Sue Newman & Dr Kathryn Murray reveal how sound environments enhance brain development, learning & wellbeing in early years settings.

New Episode Alert! Sue Newman & Dr Kathryn Murray share how sound environments transform brain development in early years. Learn practical strategies to create calm, focused spaces using music & intentional sound design. www.earlyyears.tv/episode/s...

Monochrome photograph featuring a standing white woman with short hair facing forwards dressed in dark trousers and top in an artist studio

Finnish artist, author and illustrator Tove Jansson in her home studio, 1956 #WomensArt

Parents of children taken in to care should get more help, say experts after Victoria Marten death Review says trauma-informed support could help interrupt ‘destructive cycles’ and reduce risk of harm to future babies Parents whose children are taken into care should receive trauma-informed support to reduce the risk of harm to any further babies they have, according to child protection experts. A national child safeguarding review, launched after the death of baby Victoria Marten, said that if “destructive cycles of harm are to be interrupted” there needed to be more focus on parents, as well as their vulnerable baby or unborn infant. Continue reading...

Parents of children taken in to care should get more help, say experts after Victoria Marten death

Illustrations for Lewis Carroll's 'Alice in Wonderland', 1959 edition, by Finnish artist and Moomins creator Tove Jansson #WomensArt

Small Prophets review – Mackenzie Crook’s magical new comedy is pure, pure pleasure Wonder lies below the surface of this truly fantastic sitcom from the creator of Detectorists. It’s an impossible marvel of TV making

Small Prophets review – Mackenzie Crook’s magical new comedy is pure, pure pleasure

Julie Mountain shares the 4-stage design process that transforms any outdoor space. Learn why "what movements do children need?" beats "what equipment should we buy?" every time. Essential viewing for early years practitioners. www.earlyyears.tv/episode/j...
www.earlyyears.tv/episode/j...

It’s not the most important thing but the world being plotted like bad television is making it pretty confusing for those trying to write good television

Review: Hamlet, Polka Theatre - Everything Theatre A smart, playful and musically rich Hamlet that distils Shakespeare’s biggest questions into an hour of inventive, child-centred storytelling without ever underestimating its young audience.

#Review: Shakespeare in a Suitcase - Hamlet, Polka Theatre ★★★★

"This is quality theatre: inventive, respectful of its audience, and quietly ambitious in what it asks young people to engage with."

#theatre #TYA #Wimbledon #Shakespeare #theatresky

everything-theatre.co.uk/2026/01/revi...

Review: Squirrel, Unicorn Theatre - Everything Theatre A welcoming, playful immersive theatre experience where babies, toddlers and adults play together, guided by a curious (and slightly pesky) squirrel we meet along the way.

#Review: Squirrel @unicorntheatre.bsky.social ★★★★

"This is a genuinely shared family experience, where different ages take different things – and no one is asked to sit still and behave."

#theatre #TYA #familytheatre #theatresky

everything-theatre.co.uk/2026/01/revi...

Chekhov, born today 1860: ‘I hate lies & violence…I look upon tags & labels as prejudices. My holy of holies is the human body, health, intelligence, talent, inspiration, love, & the most absolute freedom imaginable--freedom from violence & lies.’

An expression from Puerta Rican slang that describes someone who looks anxious or nervous is como cocodrilo en fábrica de carteras. It means “like a crocodile in a wallet factory.”

the optics of progress theatre's hope change thing

today in pocket theatre, i write abt the optics of progress. open.substack.com/pub/csvich/p...

Scottish Youth Theatre: Artistic Producer (Emerging Artist Programme) - YTAS Scottish Youth Theatre is seeking an Artistic Producer (Emerging Artist Programme) to join the team at an exciting time in the company’s evolution. Help

Scottish Youth Theatre is seeking an Artistic Producer (Emerging Artist Programme) to join the team and help curate an ambitious and exciting emerging programme for Scotland’s young theatre-makers buff.ly/Whi0vz8 (deadline - 11 Feb 2026)

Blog: Why grown-ups should watch children’s theatre… — Imaginate News, vacancies and blogs by staff and artists connected with Imaginate and the Edinburgh International children's Festival

www.imaginate.org.uk/news/blog-wh.... Brilliant blog by @sianmacgregor.bsky.social for @edchildrensfest.bsky.social

Blog: Why grown-ups should watch children’s theatre… — Imaginate News, vacancies and blogs by staff and artists connected with Imaginate and the Edinburgh International children's Festival

New MiniBlog, with thanks to Katherine Rundell: Why grown-ups should watch children’s theatre… www.imaginate.org.uk/news/blog-wh... via @edchildrensfest.bsky.social

I love this book and have gifted it to many people!

Dante Or Die: I Do review at Malmaison Hotel, London

★★★★ Review: Dante or Die: I Do – Immersive, site-specific tale of wedding-day dysfunction is finely detailed and engrossing 👇

That's My Story!: Drama for Confidence, Communication and Creativity in KS1 and Beyond The ability to communicate is an essential life skill for all children and young people and it underpins their social, emotional and educational development. If a child experiences a positive relation...

That's My Story!: Drama for Confidence, Communication and Creativity i share.google/WfH7Kib2Qz26...
With renewed emphasis on Oracy and Creativity in primary education why not get hold of a copy of this book by our CEO Adam.

Things Only Early Years Educators Will Understand

Day 15

“Following the child’s lead isn’t about losing control”

#EarlyYears
#EarlyYearsEducation
#PlayMatters
#EarlyYearsProfessionals

🗣️ “It is through our songs and our stories that we best express ourselves, and best understand ourselves, and our place in the world." 🗣️

This week, Finance Secretary Shona Robison announced a real-terms boost to the overall culture budget in 2026-27 📈

Anna Ancher (Danish 1859-1935)
‘The Maid in the Kitchen’ 1883 - 1886

oil on canvas
#art #painting #artist #BlueSkyArt

this is culturally a vital work of modern art

Delighted with this lovely intelligent review. Thank you!

Wonderful film. And one of the best central performances on celluloid. (Also, never seen theatre portrayed better.)

Lyn Gardner on Margaret Hodge's ACE review The review of Arts Council England provides a clear signpost that there will be little funding help, if any, coming down the road to the arts from government, says Lyn Gardner

Margaret Hodge’s ACE review has an elephant in the room – money, writes Lyn Gardner 👇

Sending love. The need has been tough this week ❤️