Nursery World - Learning and Development: Supporting role

A traditional story from Diwali became an opportunity for role play, narrative and creative expression that was eagerly grasped by a whole class, as teacher Tessa Fenoughty explains.

Creating experiences in which children can express ideas through improvisation, role-play and storytelling doesn't always come naturally to staff in early years settings. Perhaps it's down to the natural British reserve that limits so many. The thought of breaking out into spontaneous dance or impromptu imaginative role play leaves some adults frozen to the spot with terror!

The Creative Development area of learning requires practitioners to create opportunities for children to express themselves in a number of ways, 'through a variety of art, music, movement, dance, imaginative and role activities, mathematics, and design and technology' (Early Years Foundation Stage practice guidance). As part of continuous provision, most settings now have well-resourced 'creative or making areas', well stocked with a diverse array of materials and media such as paper, card, crayons, paints, scissors, glue, sellotape, masking tape and junk. These easily accessible resources provide staff with plenty of opportunities to capture a child's creativity as they explore the media and materials.

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