Page 19 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • April 2004 19
Link to sponsor Storysacks tenth year celebration
at Festival of Literature children's day

Swindon idea will now explain the universe in partnership with European Space Agency
There's a chance to take part in a world class education project first developed in West Swindon, in early May when former Westlea School
headteacher Neil Griffiths will be demonstrating Storysacks to children at Lower Shaw Farm.
y
Ten years ago Neil recruited a fined - prisons, hospitals, with tra - meets termly to keep them in touch
group of volunteer mums to help eller families, with refugees and in with developments. "I'm so grate- Sign up for a
himdeveloptheideaofaStorysack bi-lingual situations. ful for their hard work, commit- Storysack session
which he thought would helpboost "The idea is so simple that it can ment and creativity. Well over a Neil is running Storysacks
literacy skills in the early million people workshops at the Swindon Festival
years of childhood. around the world of Literature Children's Day on
Since the first meet- have had the chance Sunday 9 May at Lower Shaw Farm,
ing when he explained to use Storysacks. in association with The Link. Pick up
what he had in mind to "Moving from
the group of curious par- education into busi- a Festival programme in a library.
ents, who then used ness has been a ma- www.swindonfestivalofliterature. co.uk
their artistic and organ- jor challenge. Being
ising skills to make the a headteacher is de-
first Storysack, the con- manding and excit- J iui
cept has become a world ing in a trusting, car-
leader in language ac- ing environment, d usicitt It s
quisition across the UK but the world of
and abroad, as well as business is both Fun song sessions
being used as a tool for =^= competitive and cut for parents and children
cultural and community Neil launching his latest children's story book 'The Scarecrow throat; there are peo- 6 months to 5 years
development. Who Didn't Scare' with illustrator Vicki Leigh ple out there ready
In a few months a to copy ideas with- Classes on Tuesday,
Storysack will be launched by the be easily adapted and it goes be- out a second thought. I have to Thursday & Friday in
European Space Agency as an edu- yo nd language development with work hard to keep focused on what North Swindon Library
cational tool to explain the planets children. It's incredible to think will benefit children's develop-
and space travel. that Storysacks are in use on oppo- ment." Come along and join in
The first Storysacks made by the site sides of the Arctic circle; in The Corner to Learn catalogue the furl
parents were cloth bags contain- northern Canada sacks are used can be obtained by calling 421168. Call 01793 727286 or
ing a picture book to be read by a by Innuit people to develop lan- Storysacks products can be seen at email: info€?minimusicians.co.uk
child and parent along with soft gu age and reinforce cultural iden- www.storysack.com
for details
toys of the main characters with tity,and on the other side in north-
props and scenery to illustrate the ern Norway they are used in a
story. A non-fiction book linked to sisin' way with Laplanders. It's
the topic, an audio-tape and a lan- mu ch the same in the townships of
guage game based on the book So uth Africa."
were included with an ideas card Funding from the Basic Skills
j
suggesting further ways for par- Agency ended last year and Neil Pr he 5b 9tj(
ents to develop a child's listening, has set up his own company, Cor-
reading and writing skills. net to Learn, which offers
Neil parted company with Sto rysacks training and consul- Princess Christian Day Nursery
Westlea School in 1997 to under- tancy and also sells ready made
take a five year project funded by sacks. Several agencies have corn- Peatmoor Village Centre
the Basic Skills Agency to demon- missioned special sacks: to teach Shearwood Road, Peatmoor, Swindon
strate Storysacks around Britain. road safety, to promote historical
They are now to be found in every un derstanding on either side of • Quality care and education
local education authority, as well the Scottish English border and for 0 to 5 year olds
as family centres and prisons. also the Forestry Commission.
In 1999 the project won the Eu- English Heritage is looking at de- • 100 place purpose built
ropean Alcuin award for innova- vetoping a Storysack based on cas- day nursery I1
tion in education which attracted tle s. r Open 7.30am to 6.00pm
even more interest from around The European Space Agency
the world. Neil travels extensively co omission came as a surprise said —..^^ • Ideal for parents workin g
show off Storysacks and has run Ne il. "I had a fantastic visit to their f in the town centre
workshops in Canada, USA, Hong headquarters in Holland and they • dropping off area & car par
Kong, South Africa, Japan, Peru, have made available their library t •
Australia, Italy and Norway. of photographs for use in a book ([/ Secure lawned outdoor play area
He has made several trips to an d a sack, plus CD and teachers' • Registered by OFSTED
China and just been contracted by gui de. It should be spectacular." e now • • Friendly and Garin`* staff
the Chinese government to train Neil's career as a children's au- videapp y
Storysack demonstrators to spread thor is also developing with a range The friendliest nurser in town!
the concept within its education of illustrated books on sale.
system. 3e has invented Smartscapes, r V191' U9
Neil continues to be amazed by med plastic scenery for use in a
how Storysacks continues to grow. id tray to stimulate imaginative e
"I keep thinking we have reached y and discussion. There's also a
a plateau, but the enquiries keep ,yer table top version as a back-
coming; it's both surprising and ound for role play.
gratifying to hear how Storysacks Jeil said he never forgets the
are used in places I never imag- t Storysacks volunteers who he