'The course was perfect, I loved it. I would love to do more training on this project and Trish was wonderful. It has really made me feel that I want to take it back and I will do this in my setting.'
F. Kitchener, Teacher at Old Church Nursery School, January 2007
'Every time I come I learn loads of new things. This must be the 5-6th time I have been at Trisha's training.'
Sudujaya Therza, Bromley By Bow CC/Bow Chiedeale, February 2010
MakeBelieve Arts is currently booking INSETs based on The Helicopter Technique of Storytelling and Story Acting. Led by Artistic Director, Trisha Lee, our INSETs deliver expert facilitation and tangible benefits.
Using The Helicopter Technique of Storytelling and Story Acting, the teacher or workshop leader sits down with the child, listens to his / her story, and writes it down word for word. At the end of the story, the child decides which character he / she wants to play and the teacher moves on to the next child on the list. Towards the end of the session, the whole class gathers to act out the stories of their peers.
The Helicopter Technique...
- Develops confidence, curiosity, concentration and communication skills in all children regardless of ability
- Increases turn taking, attention span and speaking and listening skills
- Demonstrates spectacular and measurable gains in spoken narrative and language development skills even for pupils with SEN or EAL
- Enables pupils to see their stories acted out, and gain reinforcement of the meanings of the word through their total engagement with the process
- Keeps a class of 30 children attentive, because no-one knows what will happen next and what the next story will contain...
Helicopter Technique INSETs are suitable for anyone engaged with working with children between the ages of 2 - 6 years old, including Early Years and foundation stage practitioners, speech and language specialists, SENCO's, Childminders, teaching assistants, playgroup staff and students.
'In Tower Hamlets the Early Years Service has been providing the 'Helicopter' training every year since 2005. We are committed to doing this because of the excellent quality of the training from Trisha Lee (MakeBelieve Arts) and because of the impact it has on the practice of those who attend.
'Those who have been using the approach for some time report the wide-ranging benefits to children, including personal, social and emotional development; children develop confidence and self -esteem through being part of the storytelling community. It also enhances communication, language and literacy, and provides good evidence for older children's Early Years Foundation Stage Profiles.
'Trisha Lee is an inspiring and passionate trainer, and what makes this training so unique, is the fact that she demonstrates Vivian Gussin Paley's approach with children. This is so much more powerful than just talking about the approach, or watching a DVD. Practitioners who attend the 'Helicopter' training leave feeling confident and very excited about getting started immediately!'
Diane Corr, Early Years Advisory Teacher (Tower Hamlets)
For a breakdown of the INSET day, download the Helicopter Technique INSET day timetable