A unique project using Disney’s The Lion King aims to enhance language and literacy skills and stimulate imagination and creativity through fun, colour, music and dance
The project involves 25 local nurseries and schools and over 700 children, who have been invited to participate in collaboration with Linaker C.C, The School Readiness Team, The Atkinson and Sefton Leisure Services.
Councillor Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “This is a fantastic project which will not only help nursery and school children now, but also upskill and train teaching staff for generations to come.
“Language and literacy is key for a child’s development and this could make a huge difference to how the children start to engage with stories and their characters from an early age.”
Linda Caven, Linaker Children’s Centre Manager said: “The Lion King Project has been created in response to the needs of the children in the Linaker reach area.
“We wanted to create a project that would not only support children’s literacy development and help develop the skills of nursery and reception teachers but also provide parents with information and ideas on how they can get involved and encourage their child’s development.
“Children will have opportunities to engage in a wide range of physical and creative activities that will spark their imaginations and inspire them to write.”
It’s a fantastic example of collaborative working across the Council. Departments are pulling together using shared resources and skills to make a difference to children’s lives.
The Lion King project will inspire children to learn through creative play, using the well-known film. Teachers will attend workshops in dance, art and music to enable them to take the skills back to the classroom.
Areas have been decorated in the jungle theme for self-led visits to the library and books about jungle characters ordered in ready for the project. There will be activity box’s with puzzles and games that can be used on the visit to encourage schools and nurseries to come back into The Atkinson and continue learning creatively.
The Lion King will be screened at The Atkinson on Tuesday 6 June at 10.30am & 1.30pm.
Nurseries and schools that would like to be part of the project including training, workshop and film screening – should contact Linaker Children’s Centre on 01704 532343 option 2 option 1.
Visit the website theatkinson.co.uk and join our mailing list to keep up to date with the full family programme of events and activities coming to The Atkinson soon.
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EDITORS NOTES:
For interviews, images or further information, please contact Emma.Lloyd@sefton.gov.uk / 0151 934 2129
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Posted on 22 May 2018 under General news
