Engaging Children in the Arts (EDUC91064)

This subject introduces and develops Teacher Candidates’ practical and theoretical understandings of learning in and through the Arts, play-based learning and creative pedagogies in early childhood settings and primary classrooms. Teacher Candidates engage with Drama, Music and Visual Arts in relation to the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework’s understandings of creative skills and play-based learning and the Victorian Curriculum, investigating their application as individual artforms and across the Arts Learning Area, the Capabilities, and the Cross-Curricular Priorities.

Teacher Candidates are introduced to practical approaches to foreground Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in and through the Arts in early childhood settings and primary schools. A range of resources (strategies, ideas, tools, techniques, digital technologies) are used to supporting young children’s participation and engagement in arts-based experiences that cater for diverse learners. Teacher Candidates link their studio practice to relevant theory and practicum experience to formulate a rationale for their emerging arts pedagogy, with an emphasis on continued professional learning in the arts.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, Teacher Candidates should be able to:

• Examine subject and pedagogical content knowledge and understanding of the Arts Learning Area in the Australian/Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Frameworks and Curricula.
• Integrate educational theories and practical approaches for differentiated teaching in and teaching through the Arts to challenge and cater for the needs of all learners.
• Create a collection of resources (strategies, techniques, processes, ideas, tools, digital technologies/ICT) for planning, organising, sequencing, assessing and evaluating learning programs that support participation and engagement for all learners in arts-based classroom experiences.
• Apply understandings of practical approaches to foreground Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, knowledges and cultures for teaching in and through the Arts.
• Analyse own developing capacity, confidence and agency for teaching in and through the Arts to improve teaching and learning and set personal goals to improve teaching based on the Professional Teaching Standards.
• Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication strategies to manage learning, participation and engagement in the Arts.

Generic skills