Early Years
The most important sector of the education system?

Many are calling raising levels of speaking and listening in the early years as the biggest challenge in education.

Richard has been working with early years and foundation stage for a number of years, telling stories and training staff in storytelling skills.

Many people who work in the early years know that it has been and still is an often underrated area of education; however research continues to show the importance of speaking, listening and creativity for young children.

Clarkson’s Quay, a two term nautical themed storytelling and writing project at Clarkson infants and Nursery school in Cambridgeshire has allowed Richard to develop a number of new stories and characters. As well as learning from the teachers there on how storytelling can further enhance the brilliant work being carried out at Clarkson and other nurseries around the country.

He’s currently developing two new approaches ‘First Stories’ and ‘Little Communicators’

We’d love to work with your nursery and happy to develop individual days, longer projects and training for staff.
Many of the new toys and stories that we are creating are inspired by nursery and foundation including;  Pete's new Horsey shoes, 'The Giant's Toothbrush'  SQEG and 'Roly-Yoly'. 

* Due to interest in our new 'Tree Buddie' character toys and the desire for younger children to explore traditional and recycled wood-making. We are currently developing our 'Little Lumberjacks' programme.
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‘It’s amazing that through the means of verbal storytelling, 3 year old children have been able to draw detailed pictures and talk about a character they have never actually seen.

Michelle Haworth Head of Nursery Clarkson Infants and Nursery school

Big Betty and Family
 live on a big boat, we have had so much fun developing the big Betty stories and we are deeply indebted to the teachers and teaching assistants in reception and nursery from Clarkson Infants and nursery school in Wisbech. Keep checking this page and who knows Big Betty could be turning up in your town.

The interactive story of Big Bob's problem with getting his washing dry on the Big Butterfly Boat is very popular with nursery and KS1 pupils. Especially when they are challenged to come up with as many things beginning with the word B that Big Bob and his family may have on the Big Butterfly Boat.

If we ever needed to be reminded of the creativity and dedication of teachers in our schools, here it is.
Teachers spent much of their own time weekends and evenings making Big Betty come alive for children and I am extremely grateful. 

Big Bob's story also created the very popular and inspirational character SQEG, who now has his own song and will soon have his own book.
 
The Big boat family are currently featuring in the 'Tales from the Towpath' project on the Rochdale canal.