Creativity and Wellbeing in the Early Years

Sonia Mainstone-Cotton is a freelance nurture consultant. She currently works in a specialist team supporting 3- and 4-year-olds who have social, emotional and mental health needs. She also trains staff across the country, working with children’s centres, schools, nurseries, charities and churches. Sonia has written nine books.

"In this absolute gem of a book, Sonia has foregrounded the links between creativity, wellbeing and the education system. She has included tons of resource ideas and links to follow up on, whether you are interested in poetry, drama, art or another area of creativity entirely! But this is more than a simple resource book - the ‘how’ and ‘why’ is also explored, along with real life examples, working with children with SEND and more. The interviews Sonia has included with a diverse range of friends and colleagues adds a fresh dimension to the book, serving both as interesting conversations and inspiration for improvements in pedagogy. The book is woven throughout with Sonia’s own delightful stories, anecdotes, and professional experiences, creating a rich tapestry to draw on for anyone spending time with children, either in a role in school or Early Years setting, or as a parent." – Kathy Brodie, Founder – Early Years TV"This new book is a useful blend of the personal and the practical, richly referenced to encourage further exploration. Using an appropriately broad definition of creativity a wide range of key issues are examined, and strong links are made between creativity and wellbeing for both practitioners and children. As a reader you are engaged by regular focused 'moments of reflection', and direct questions that help to challenge and extend your practice. I recommend this book to all professionals working in early years who are serious about developing creativity in their setting." – Ed Harker, Former nursery teacher and infant school headteacher

• IntroductionChapter one - Creativity in the early yearsChapter two - Wellbeing and creativityChapter three - ArtChapter four - CraftChapter five - Music and danceChapter six - Drama and imaginative playChapter seven - Word, story telling and poetryConclusion