Dr Sue read her latest book 'Moose and Mouse’ on a recent school visit and engaged the children in discussing the themes and issues raised by the charming story. Have a watch!
Moose and Mouse on the Radio!
Dr Sue was recently interviewed talking about what inspired her to write her latest children’s story. Have a listen!
Order out of Chaos!
After playing with green cooked spaghetti one participant developed a beautiful skill of tracery on paper. An excellent example of mess to form. Mess almost always moves on! Out of the chaos comes order!
Bring back the Teletubbies?!
The latest research from John Hopkins University shows that learning through the arts actually enhances the learning process! Arts therapists have been saying that for years! When will government and educators see the value of the arts being central to the education and social systems?
Why do so many young adults remember the Teletubbies with fondness? Their sounds remind us of our earliest experiences of Echo-Play and interaction with our attachment person. And the chuckles of the beautiful baby in the sun enhances positive child memories. Bring back the Teletubbies, I say!
Very Sad News
It is with deep sadness that I have just learned of the death of Dr John Christey-Casson. John was a close friend and colleague. He was a Dramatherapist and also inventor of ‘The Communicube’. This is on permanent exhibition at the Science Museum. John had much experience in theatre, puppetry and masks, and the book of his PhD opened up new avenues about the relationship between Dramatherapy and Psychodrama. He will be deeply missed.
A must-read
I have just finished ‘Adventures with Autistic Children’ by Jonas Torrance. This new book hit me between the eyes. Wonderfully written, the text just dances across the page; perhaps not surprising since the author is a dance-movement therapist. He is also trained in martial arts, yoga and more. I cannot recommend it too highly.
Hardy Love!
Despite the sudden snow, my winter pansies are holding in there and getting stronger every day. Pansies are all about love: Heartsease, Love in Idleness; it’s a very old flower with lots of powers. Mentioned in Shakespeare many times. Try planting pansies and see the changes!
Moose and Mouse
January is proving a very exciting month for the NDP Tribe! The first book for young children is published this week! With delightful illustrations by Charlie Meyer, Moose and Mouse tells the story of friendship and attachment between two very different creatures. A trial run with children under six proved very successful, ‘Read it again Mummy’.
The book is available through our website (£7.50 plus postage) - HERE.
Mess and Monsters!
It’s all about M and M!
Mess and Monster workshops have proved a huge success in UK, Ireland, Turkey, Romania, Singapore, India and Malaysia during 2018! Attachment-based Play that explores the importance of mess as well as confronting scary and monstrous images, go right to the core of children’s early experience and assist with establishing relationships and resilience.
We’re running M and M workshops in Manchester, London and Stratford-upon-Avon during 2019 - SEE HERE FOR DETAILS.
Creating and Construction
Messy Play is not necessarily the answer for all children who may have experienced trauma, neglect or developmental delay. There maybe enough mess already!
Creating order can be a pressing need for some children who may feel their world has fallen apart. Model making or construction with Lego, for example, give the opportunity to build or re-build houses, shelters or safe spaces. In my work with homeless teenagers in Romania, they always painted a small house in the corner of their art-work.