Starcatchers, in partnership with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, are collaborating on a research project exploring current and emerging rights-based approaches in the arts for children from birth to 3 years in Scotland.
With the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) currently being incorporated into domestic law, Starcatchers and Dr Rachel Drury, with Research Assistant Claire Ruckert of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, began work on a major new piece of research: Towards an Arts-based Methodology for Participation for Pre-verbal and Non-verbal Children.
What does this mean for Scotland’s babies?
Phase one involved conversations, with artists, cultural venues, and organisations across Scotland. We wanted to understand what practices exist in the industry for listening to the voice of the youngest children in arts settings.
Alongside a literature review as part of this phase, we identified a strong shared understanding between early years artists of what the ‘voice’ of the child might mean, and how to offer an inclusive space for pre-and non-verbal participants. We presented our initial findings at an event in September 2022, and were encouraged by good attendance and engagement from professionals across the arts and early years sectors.
We began phase two of the research in early 2023, with Dr Caralyn Blaisdell joining the team. We are delighted to now share the final report and Reflective Guide that has been developed by Dr Rachel Drury, Dr Caralyn Blaisdell, and Claire Ruckert.
A Reflective Guide for the Arts created by Dr Rachel Drury and Dr Caralyn Blaisdell
Dr Rachel Drury and Claire Ruckert present the findings of the first phase of the research project.
A summary of Phase Two of research by Dr Rachel Drury, Dr Cara Blaisdell and Claire Ruckert.
Where is the Voice of Scotland's Babies? explored the findings of the first stage of Starcatchers and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland's research into a new arts-based methodology for early-years participation.
In this episode, Starcatchers Chief Executive, Rhona Matheson is joined by Children and Young People's Commissioner for Scotland, Bruce Adamson.
In this episode of Starcatchers’ podcast series Let’s Talk About…, we discuss why babies’ voices matter and dive deeper into Starcatchers' current research project looking at the development of an arts-based methodology for participation with pre- and non-verbal children.
In 2019, Starcatchers’ campaign Making My Mark celebrated the role that arts and creative experiences can play in helping children learn about their rights during their earliest years.
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.
Starcatchers' approach is rooted in Children's Rights. It is relationship-centred and baby-led with the arts at the heart of all activity.
Fun, creative ideas to engage little ones at home without a lot of kit, stress, nor pressure to ‘achieve’ anything.
Rhona Matheson, Starcatchers’ Chief Executive, and guests talk about a range of topics from baby theatre and children’s rights to being an advocate and why the arts.
What are schemas and why are they important? How they can be used to engage young children in arts experiences, both participatory and performance?
