What are the value of expressive arts activities in primary education?
‘’The expressive arts combine the visual arts, movement, drama, music, writing and other creative processes to foster deep personal growth and community development’’ (Bergin Learning Arts, 2019). Within schools ‘’themes are chosen specifically to allow opportunities to develop pupils’ skills in music, media, art, dance and drama. For example, in drama, strategies such as ‘Observe, Wonder, Infer’, ‘Thought Tunnels’, ‘Mantle of the Expert’ and ‘Tableaux’ have enabled pupils to become increasingly confident, as well as helping them to develop critical and creative thinking skills. This purposeful multidisciplinary approach is stimulating and exciting for pupils and teachers alike’’ (Estyn, 2017). According to St John’s Primary & Nursery (no date) ‘’Learning in, through and about the expressive arts enables children and young people to: • be creative and express themselves in different ways • experience enjoyment and contribute to other people’s enjoyment through creative and