Babies and Young Children at the Centre of Creative and Artistic Movement and Dance:

This 3-year project is profiling babies and young children as co-creators of creative and artistic work. Dance artists are building their skills of observations and being led by children in their decision-making processes as they create work with and for babies, young children and their families.

As Cath James, Artistic Director of South East Dance, lead partner on Little Big Dance, says: “We know that dance can enhance physical and cognitive development; build confidence and creative expression; and offer neurodiverse young people entirely new ways to communicate with their peers. We also know that very young audiences are often overlooked, despite evidence suggesting that children who take part in the arts from a young age are more likely to continue to reap the health and wellbeing benefits into adulthood.’

Professor Angela Pickard, Director of Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health is using participatory and child-centred methods to evaluate the project.