PITA the history

Sunday 27 May 2012

small worlds one


















the sun was shining
the ground was damp
the leaves are still crunchy

we had perfect weather for building small things
it was warm enough - or not cold enough
to enjoy sitting and making
with -
clay
gumnuts
acorns
sand
and sticks

parents
children
and
artists
creating together

pita-pata

the results...
heart warming


















































































































we learnt a lot too...

on any given day
some kids
are happy to sit with the detail
create small things
chat with their parents
and make side by side





































some kids
want to run
play with their old friends
and new friends
make up their own games

on any other day
it might be the same
it might be different

sometimes it's about age
sometimes it's about gender
sometimes it's just that day
sometimes it's a mystery


on this particular day
it was a group of four year olds boys
they wanted to run

they had fun



maybe we need
big worlds
and
small worlds
something to think about...

looking forward to the next gathering



Friday 1st June 2012
10.00-12.00








small worlds
is a pita-pata gathering
in autumn
in the natural playscape
at the creswick neighbourhood centre

lead artists
rebecca russell
ken evans
























Monday 7 May 2012

SMALL WORLDS


introducing the inaugural 
pita-pata program
taking place in Creswick this winter.

after building the natural playscape and then spending half a year 
playing in it
observing what happens
how the kids play and interact with it
how the parents inhabit the space 
and how it changes with the seasons  

I'm now ready to begin experimenting with hosting more structured gatherings

the sessions will begin with parents and children making and creating together
with a few skills and techniques for building 
and some interesting materials
we will make around our giant log tables
in the sandpit
and around the trees

the kids will inevitably lose interest in the detail
they will wander off and play elsewhere in the playscape
the parents will keep making
(this is my prediction)

one of my favourite observations in the playscape has been 
how much adults love to make things with their hands 
in a non-threatening
playful environment
the kids seem to enjoy their parents making things too

after a while we will gather to have a look at was has been made
we will have something to eat together
then the children continue to play
while the parents have a chat

we'll see how this goes
looking forward to it

below is a flyer
with the text following because it's tricky to read on the flyer



CRESWICK NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
TERM 2 2012

In the Natural Playscape
Between the house and hall

Working with sticks, clay, miniature mud bricks, gumnuts and ideas.
Create small worlds of huts, stone walls, pathways and forests.
Over four sessions parents, children and artists will play with materials and ideas in the winter playscape.  Each session will respond to the weather and may even include a walk in the rain collecting sticks.  Dress weather prepared with raincoats and gumboots!  What fun!
Bring a dry change of clothes and finish the session in the cosy house with a cuppa.
Lead artist Rebecca Russell


Session 1: Friday 18th May 10.00 - 12.00
Session 2: Friday 1st June 10.00 - 12.00
Session 3: Friday 8th June 10.00 - 12.00
Session 4: Friday 22nd June 10.00 - 12.00

For pre-school children and parents
Cost: $5.00 per family