The Musician in the Classroom: Sylvia and a Pedagogy of Artistic Knowing and Meaning-Making

Abstract

The arts were a central and important part of Sylvia Ashton-Warner's pedagogical approach. This paper examines the contribution that Sylvia's writing about the value of arts education in the  curriculum can make to current classrooms. Her ideas about dance are outlined and her views on how music (other arts) can be linked to other areas of the curriculum described. It is argued that there is much of relevance for today's teachers and schools in Ashton-Warner's beliefs and practices about artistry and creativity in young children.