In 2008 darts began work on the "Exciting Explorations" programme, with children aged between 5-16, with creative play sessions which allowed children to explore, experiment and develop creative play opportunities within their existing family and in the community.
We provided a programme of work that offered a safe, flexible framework that was child-led, open-ended, experimental and driven by what children and young people want. Through creative play they take control and have a voice.
The project was open to all and focussed on the integration of children and young people from culturally diverse backgrounds. darts aimed to stimulate and explore traditional and contemporary play amongst children and young people with the emphasis on the cultural exchange of play experiences.
We worked with a vast range of children and young people from schools and community groups to carve vegetable vermin, develop some dizzy dance moves and beat out rhythmic rock on the djembes... to name but a few.
During February and Easter half terms, The Point hosted a range of workshops which invited young people to play drums, learn circus skills and take part in movement and drama workshops.
Here's a flavour of some of the work we did in schools across the borough:
At Lakeside Primary School, after seeing a drama performance, children were invited to enter into it themselves and play with different materials and artforms to explore the subjects in their own way.
Children at Park Primary School took the subject of 'The Romans', part of their 'invaders and settlers' topic and used play and artforms such as drama and dance to embed knowledge they have gained using conventional teaching techniques.
Balby Carr Primary broke down barriers which exist between minority groups in the school and improved understanding of each other through a cultural exchange of play experiences.
Exciting Explorations is part of Doncaster's BIG Lottery Play portfolio. The other organisations involved are the DOME, A-Junction Network North and Denaby Main Forum. The project runs until 2010.