Engaging the Senses
A Symposium and workshops exploring multi-sensory, interactive arts for young children with complex needs
‘Engaging the Senses’, is a symposium and gathering with conversation, demonstrations, and playtime workshops for both parents and arts, healthcare and early years professionals interested in exploring multi-sensory, creative play through the arts for very young children with complex needs. Taking place on September 18th 2019 at The Civic, in Tallaght, ‘Engaging the Senses’ is informed by The Civic’s current exploration and development in this area of work in South Dublin County Council with outcomes and learning from Helium Arts’ Pop Up Picnic and Anna Newell’s ‘Sing Me to The Sea’, both multi-sensory performance projects for children with complex needs. Place are FREE but must be booked in advance.
Who is this symposium for?
Artists: This symposium aims to support theatre practitioners and musicians who are already creating work for children to begin to develop their practice into the area of multi-sensory work which is relevant not only to children with complex needs but also to young children in general.
Health professionals / carers: This symposium aims to inspire health professionals working in early intervention services, disability services, public health nursing and other health settings. We will discuss the impact of multi-sensory performance techniques on young children with complex needs and their families and we will consider how multi-sensory performance experiences might be incorporated into a variety of health services.
Early years professionals: This symposium aims to inspire early childhood professionals to learn about creative tools and how to make their early years practice inclusive.
Parents: This symposium aims to engage parents in conversation around their experiences, ideas, and wishes regarding cultural access for their children.
Other Stakeholders: Funders, Local Activists, Local Council Members, Policy Makers, Researchers, Arts Centres, Children’s Cultural Institutions very welcome!
*Tickets are FREE but must be booked in advance. Please see schedule below.
You must book 1 ticket for the symposium and 1 morning workshop of your choice and 1 afternoon workshop of your choice. Places are limited for each workshop so please DO NOT book more than 1 morning and 1 afternoon session. If you have any queries contact BoxOffice on 01 4627477.
SCHEDULE
09:30 Registration, tea and coffee
10:00 Welcome – Setting the Scene – The Civic and Helene Hugel, Director, Helium
10:30 Demonstration – Anna Newell discusses the production ‘Sing me to the Sea’ with Q&A
11:00 Demonstration – Joanna Williams discusses Helium Arts’ production of Pop Up Picnic with Q&A
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR SYMPOSIUM PLACE
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11:30 – 1pm MORNING Concurrent Workshops (Please Book 1)
WORKSHOP 1 PLACES FULL
Practical workshop: Engaging the senses in early years
The Pop Up Picnic creative team: Joanna Williams and Niamh Lawlor will explore how they can engage multiple senses when developing early years work.
WORKSHOP 2 CLICK HERE TO BOOK NOW
Workshop with Anna Newell
Anna will bring participants through a taster of her theatre making process for both early years and children with complex needs.
WORKSHOP 3 CLICK HERE TO BOOK NOW
Workshop with Senior Occupational Therapist
Discussion on the process of supporting and facilitating play, from an OT perspective, and how to structure sensory experiences.
WORKSHOP 4 CLICK HERE TO BOOK NOW
Workshop with Eileen Birchall, Lynn Byrne – Sensory Fun with Friends
Eileen and Lynn from Sensory Fun With Friends will explore the journey of acceptance, compassion and understanding in the world of additional needs.
13:00 Lunch – connect with attendees over lunch and discover sensory delights from a variety of theatre makers across Ireland at their interactive stands.
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14:00 – 15:30 AFTERNOON Concurrent Workshops (Please Book 1)
WORSKSHOP 1 CLICK HERE TO BOOK NOW
Practical workshop: Engaging the senses in early years
The Pop Up Picnic creative team: Joanna Williams and Niamh Lawlor will explore how they can engage multiple senses when developing early years work.
WORKSHOP 2 CLICK HERE TO BOOK NOW
Workshop with Anna Newell
Anna will bring participants through a taster of her theatre making process for both early years and children with complex needs
WORKSHOP 3 CLICK HERE TO BOOK NOW
Workshop with Senior Occupational Therapist
Discussion on the process of supporting and facilitating play, from an OT perspective, and how to structure sensory experiences.
WORKSHOP 4 CLICK HERE TO BOOK NOW
Workshop with Eileen Birchall, Lynn Byrne – Sensory Fun with Friends
Eileen and Lynn from Sensory Fun With Friends will explore the journey of acceptance, compassion and understanding in the world of additional needs.
15:30 Closing reflections – Attendees will be invited to reflect together on their explorations from the workshops and the day as a whole. Facilitated by Joanna Williams and Anna Newell
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Engaging the Senses Symposium is produced by Helium Arts in partnership with The Civic, Tallaght. The symposium is funded by the Arts Council and Creative Ireland.
