SHAKY ISLES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
Helicopter Stories
Helicopter Stories, Letting Imagination Fly
Storytelling and story acting with the Early Years.
Emma delivered the first programme of Helicopter Stories during February-March 2021 to 3 early years centres in Queenstown and Arrowtown.
Helicopter Stories is a trademarked approach developed by UK based company Makebelieve Arts.
Emma Deakin as part of Shaky Isles Productions is the only qualified deliverer of the approach in Aotearoa | New Zealand.
Helicopter Stories is an Early Years and Years 1-2 approach to communication and literacy skills based on the Storytelling and Story Acting pedagogy of Vivien Gussin Paley, who was patron of Makebelieve Arts up until her death in 2019.
MakeBelieve Arts has been pioneering this work in the UK since its conception in 2002. Emma was a Creative Associate with Makebelieve Arts in the UK from 2012-2015.
“I think it gives them a sense of pride in their own work.”
Karen Cowie at Best Montassori Arrowtown
It also opens the opportunity for all tamariki to develop their identity through story – and for kaiako to listen and learn.
It all aligns with Te Whāriki through the Communication, Exploration, and Belonging Strands, including the section in Te Whāriki “a curriculum for all children” highlighting equity, and the importance of identity, culture and language.
Our big thing is listening to other children and having respect for other children’s opinions and all of that has been developed through doing Helicopter Stories, definitely.
Let’s get involved!
Get in touch with Emma if you want to bring Helicopter Stories into your centre or school.
There are heaps of resources for Helicopter Stories to start you on your journey. Read the book by Trisha Lee, Princesses, Dragons and Helicopter Stories.
Check our Helicopter Stories on Demand as well as other supporting curriculum programmes Poetry Basket and the newest offering, The Story Basket.
For more information about the vast benefits of Helicopter Stories visit the Makebelieve Arts website.