1500 words
For this task, you are required to attend a performance that has been designed for children. Examples include (but are not limited to) a concert or a children’s theatre performance.

To find appropriate performances, you could look in newspaper theatre directories, advertising from performance spaces, newspapers and other publications aimed at families and children, brochures in local libraries or community centres. For example, if you live in Sydney you might look at the Sydney Morning Herald Theatre Directory, The Sydney Opera House Kids at the House Program, Monkey Baa Theatre, Sydney’s Child magazine or your local paper. Art galleries and museums often have live performances for children throughout the year. Other suggestions for performances and venues will be made via the unit iLearn site once everyone is enrolled. Please note that attending an exhibition at an art gallery or museum is inappropriate for this assessment task.
During your attendance, you should make notes that will later help you write your critique. Remember that performances for children rarely focus on just one artform (e.g. drama, music, movement or visual arts by itself).
Your critique should:
• describe the performance (including its location and aim if this was made explicit);
• comment on its suitability for its intended audience,
• explain how the performance uses aspects of different artforms together and how effective this was, and
• comment on the audience’s reactions and/or responses to the performance.
While this assignment is based on your opinions, normal scholarly practice is expected, so these opinions must be located within the wider literature and supported with current references.
Readings prescribed by the lecturer for the unit, this would give you guidance to the scope of the essay:
o Crowther, I. 2011, Creating effective learning environments, 3rd ed., Toronto : Nelson Education, 2011, Chapter 9: Dramatic Play.
o Deans, J., Brown, R., & Young, S. (2007). The possum story: reflections of an early childhood drama teacher. Australian Journal of Early Childhood, 32(4), 1-6.
There is also a video if you want to search it up.
o Children, Meaning-making and the arts (2012), Chapter 5
Weddell, C. (2003). The child audience. In S. Wright (Ed.), Children, meaning-making and the arts, Frenchs Forest: Pearson.
My notes

I have chosen the performance “The Magic Show: Mind your manners. Know your feeling” performed by Craig McNulty.
1. Performance was held at the Child Care Centre in 3-5’s room at 10am. It was straight after morning tea, so children were satisfied and well settled. It was held indoors, all the furniture was cleared and clear space provided to Craig. Children sat on the floor and chairs during the performance. Parents were also invited, teachers were present and they took their spots towards the rear of the room. Children were actively engaged just with Craig without requiring assistance from the staff. An email was sent out to parents and staff prior to the performance (attached pre-school teachers notes) so that staff could prepare children with activities set out. Could add that as appendix.
2. The performance was to demonstrate to children the importance of being polite, kind and mindful of other people’s feelings. This is the right age to build a strong foundation for children to start learning the magic words, be polite and of respond to feelings of others. The performance was age appropriate also because some children are ready to start school and would help them of what is expected.
3. The performance captivated children and adults with the use of magic and comedy. There was a real rabbit to make it more fun and real for children. Children were allowed to pat it at the end. Hand puppets were used, magic wands (long and small) were used. Children were engaged as they were invited to role play and encouraged to talk about feelings.
4. Everyone present loved the performance, children had a good time learning things that they already practice in daily life but it was cemented in their conscience because of the fun way it was presented to them. Children got to practice words like “please”, thank you”, “happy”, standing up for yourself and saying “please don’t tease me”, being “unique”, “sharing”. Children thought Craig was “funny”, teachers thought he was inspiring to children and parents though the performance was full of positive messages that children need to learn and grow up with.

Craig’s website is http://www.thenutritionmagician.com/
There is a video there worth watching and other information you might need.
You need to talk in detail of how this performance used different forms of art and drama. Please discuss elements of drama, visual arts, use of puppets, mime, body movements, variation of voice used, use of rabbit, engagement of children and encouragement by presenter.
The learning outcomes of this unit are:
1. Demonstrate a critical appreciation of the expert body of knowledge focusing on the arts in early childhood.
2. Demonstrate a sound understanding of the ways in which young children use art forms to explore, create and communicate about their worlds.
3. Critically analyse and reflect on materials, processes and repertoire that underpin creative arts learning experiences in early childhood.
4. Demonstrate specialist expertise in facilitating a range of creative arts learning experiences with young children.