That moment when you finally crack how to qualify the impact of the arts in education…

The OdysseyA little story…

Today I visited Ipswich to run a parent/pupil session focussed on “The Gingerbread Man”.  First I’d worked with the parents around encouraging storytelling at home and shown them affordable ideas for imaginative play.  We’d then had a massive amount of fun telling the story.

Anyway, at the end of the session a little girl in the front row piped up…

“Do you remember that time you came to our school and told us stories…”

I held my breath.  I had visited the school before to tell stories.  Back in November the school had organised a bed time storytelling day and all the children had turned up in their night wear.  I was amazed.  I had told this little girl stories and she had remembered.  This was it.  This was finally going to be proof that storytelling in schools works.  Mentally I prepared myself.  The next words from this five year old would show that my work is memorable and valuable and all the things I dream it can be.  She continued…

“… do you remember the pyjamas I was wearing?”

Then again.  May be not.