Starcatchers is working with local nurseries in Helensburgh, to deliver Wee People, Big Feelings, an emotional literacy training programme for early years practitioners. In this blog, Head of Early Years Development, Heather Armstrong, reflects on the challenges the festive period can bring to families and shares Starcatchers’ Wee People, Big Feelings Helensburgh festive resource, a guide to support families during this time using creative ideas.
As I sat putting 300 batteries into torches for our Festive Glimmers play packs, I thought about Christmas magic and what it’s like to be the person who makes it happen. How wonderful it can be to see those wee faces light up when everything works out – but also how hard it can be if you’re having to arrange everything by yourself.
Festive Glimmers is the latest resource from Wee People Big Feelings Helensburgh. Building on the excellent 2022 project of the same name, Amy Hall Gibson and Pearl Kinnear have been working with Colgrain Nursery, St.Joseph’s Nursery and John Logie Baird Nursery to develop new creative play ideas that support the emotional literacy of wee ones from forces families.
Emotional literacy, that is, the ability to recognise, understand, handle and express emotions, isn’t built in times of crisis. It takes time, and being surrounded by responsive, emotionally literate caregivers is a big part of the picture. So when we pull together our resources, I find myself thinking about parents, carers and ELC practitioners as much as I think about the wee ones.
In our new Wee People Big Feelings Helensburgh resources, as well as lots of ideas for creative play, you’ll also find information to help adults with their emotional wellbeing. We’ve even included creative play ideas that involve the adult getting to lie down – bliss!
To those parents and carers who are navigating this festive season solo, or who feel like the weight of all that Christmas magic is wearing you out, we wish we could pop by all your houses and make you a cup of tea or give you a break. But failing that, I hope our easy, no fuss creative ideas make things a bit easier, and a bit more fun.
Head of Early Years Development
Heather joined Starcatchers after 8 years working with Glasgow’s young people in some of the most deprived communities in Europe. She believes in the power of the arts to transform lives.
Starcatchers is working with local nurseries in Helensburgh, to deliver Wee People, Big Feelings, an emotional literacy training programme for early years practitioners.
Fun, creative ideas to engage little ones at home without a lot of kit, stress, nor pressure to ‘achieve’ anything.
Throughout 2022, Starcatchers, artist Skye Reynolds and Scots Corner Early Learning and Childcare Centre worked together to explore how creative movement and being creative in general can help early years children understand and express their feelings.
