Rewilding Children’s Imaginations

Pia Jones is an author, creative workshop facilitator and integrative arts psychotherapist, having trained at The Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education. Pia has worked with children and adults in a variety of school, health, and community settings. A love for myth, art, and nature underpins her practice.Sarah Pimenta is an artist, educator, creative workshop facilitator, illustrator, and lecturer in creativity. She has delivered art and print-making workshops in over 250 schools, diverse communities, and public venues internationally. Nature and social change are huge inspirations in her art and creative workshops.Tamsin Cooke is an internationally published and award-winning children’s author, workshop facilitator, and former primary school teacher. She designs and runs innovative creative writing and drama workshops in schools across the UK and globally online.

• Acknowledgements ForewordIntroduction to Rewilding Children’s Imaginations Chapter 1 - Benefits of creative nature-inspired learning for childrenChapter 2 – How folktales and oral storytelling can support childrenChapter 3 – How artmaking creates a bridge with nature Chapter 4 – Introduction to Folktales, Storytelling and Creative Activities Chapter 5 - Folktales ConclusionLinks to organisationsSources of folktales References and bibliography

"Rewilding Children’s Imaginations does a magical job of combining cross-curricular skills with creative activities inspired by the natural world and multi-cultural folktales. The detailed yet easy-to-follow plans offer a range of playful and stimulating ideas for children to develop their confidence in oracy and storytelling. Learning should always look like this: child-centred and discussion-led with rich and diverse material to ignite the imagination." Marina Lewis-King, Programme Manager, A New Direction"Rewilding Children's Imaginations is a must-read for all practitioners of primary-aged children. This easy-to-follow guide connects the magic of the outside world with the children they teach. Rich with stories from around the globe, it offers an escape from the digital world and 'bottom in seats' educating, into the depths of exploration and creativity that all children deserve. It promotes exciting storytelling, brimming with language, oracy and drama which can be used to support in all established curriculums. Connecting with nature can help the children to see that they are part of something much bigger, freeing children's imaginations." Zoe Bagheri, Assistant Headteacher and Senior Mental Health Lead"One of the greatest tragedies of modern civilization has to be the divide we created in our imagination between nature and humans. This book provides a brilliantly written and researched account of just why that divide is a fantasy. It is an inspirational and practical guide for those who want to show our children the pathway back." Dr Eugene Hughes, Psychotherapist, Co-Founder of Lead Like a River: The Times Top 20 Life Changing Experiences