The Starcatchers Podcast

In the first episode of the 5th Season of the Starcatchers' podcast, we're joined by musician Lucy Drever, who shares simple, accessible ways to explore music and sound with young children. Drawing on her experience of leading inclusive community projects, she offers practical ideas on how to adapt to the children and the environment you work in. She also dives into the importance of tac...

In the third episode of the latest series of Starcatchers' Creative Skills podcast , Early Years Development Manager, Amy Hall-Gibson, spoke to Visual Artist, Pearl Kinnear, about the importance of creative flow and being in the moment for young children. Discover the resources and accompanying videos for this podcast at  To be the first to know when a new episode is live, subscribe to the St...

In part one of this episode of Starcatchers’ Creative Skills podcast, we spoke to dance artist, Skye Reynolds , about her artist residency with programme called Wee People Big Feelings , exploring the relationship between creativity and emotional literacy in very young children. Wee People, Big Feelings was a collaboration between Starcatchers and Scots Corner Early Learning and Childcare Centre,...

In part 2 of this episode of the Starcatchers’ Creative Skills podcast we spoke to Early Years Practitioners at Scots Corner Early Learning Centre, Carol Ann Low and Linette Stevenson, about big movement play, the legacy and the creative empowerment staff felt through participating in the Wee People Big Feelings project, an artist residency exploring how big movement play and being creative in gen...

In the first episode of the latest series of Starcatchers' Creative Skills podcast , Head of Early Years Development, Heather Armstrong, spoke to Community Engagement Artist and performer, Kerry Cleland, about how she puts the voice of the wee ones she works with at the heart of her practice. This episode explores the voice of the baby in relation to creative arts experiences for very young p...

In the fifth episode of the third series of Starcatchers’ Creative Skills podcast Head of Early Years Development, Heather Armstong, spoke to Storyteller, Andy Cannon, about the importance of Storytelling with Early Years children. Listen to his top tips on bringing simple, everyday stories to life. To be the first to know when a new episode is live, subscribe to the Starcatchers Creative Skills p...

Tackle those January Blues by listening to the latest Creative Skills bonus mini episode providing practical approaches to emotional literacy and self care.  To be the first to know when a new episode is live, subscribe to the Starcatchers Creative Skills podcast now on Amazon Music , Spotify , Apple Podcasts or Deezer . Or, listen to all episodes now, here on the Starcatchers website.

In the fourth episode of the third series of Starcatchers’ Creative Skills podcast we spoke to Early Years Practitioners at Scots Corner Early Learning Centre, Carol Ann Low and Linette Stevenson, about big movement play, the legacy and the creative empowerment staff felt through participating in the Wee People Big Feelings project, an artist residency project exploring how big movement play and b...

In this episode, we spoke to artists Sam Jameson, a performer working in theatre for early years audiences and families. Since lockdown, Samuel has also been working in a nursery as an early years assistant.  In this episode, Samuel shares his positive experience of role-playing alongside learners and creating characters out of child-led play, and how to use characters as creative provocations to...

Welcome to Starcatchers’ podcast series Let’s Talk About… In this episode, Starcatchers Chief Executive, Rhona Matheson is joined by Children and Young People's Commissioner for Scotland, Bruce Adamson, and talks about a range of topics including what's been achieved in terms of children's rights over the last six years, about babies' rights and about the importance of arts and...

In this episode, we spoke to artists Kirsty Pennycook, Kirstin Abraham and Skye Reynolds, exploring their experiences of working creatively with birth to three year-olds. Full of practical approaches, hints and tips for creating memorable creative experiences for our youngest children. To find resources that tie into this episode, go to the webpage. Music used in this episode comes from Starcatche...

Welcome to Starcatchers’ podcast series Let’s Talk About… In this episode, Starcatchers Chief Executive, Rhona Matheson is joined by Dr. Rachel Drury from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, a music psychologist, researcher and practicing musician and artist. They talk about why babies’ voices matter and explore a research project looking at the development of an arts-based methodology for partic...

This podcast focuses on a Starcatchers' programme called Wee People Big Feelings , exploring the relationship between creativity and emotional literacy in very young children.  To find resources that tie into this episode, head to the webpage . This podcast features Early Years Development Manager, Amy Hall-Gibson and Movement and dance artist, Skye Reynolds.   Music used in this episode come...

The fifth episode of Let’s Talk About..., features Katy Wilson, Matt Addicott, Heather Fulton and Hazel Darwin-Clements, artists who have worked with Starcatchers in a variety of projects over the last 15 years, talking about artists in residence in early years settings. Let’s Talk About… is a podcast series celebrating Starcatchers’ 15th birthday in 2021. Rhona Matheson, Starcatchers’ Chief Execu...

Our fourth episode in the Let’s Talk About series, featuring developmental psychologist and research scientist, Suzanne Zeedyk talks how the arts can encourage connection in babies. Let’s Talk About…is Starcatchers’ brand-new podcast celebrating Starcatchers’ 15th birthday in 2021. Rhona Matheson, Starcatchers’ Chief Executive, will be joined by friends and colleagues from across the arts, educati...

This month, to help you celebrate Children’s Mental Health Week, we’ll be talking about creative ideas that support wee one’s emotional literacy and wellbeing. To find resources that tie into this episode, head to: www.starcatchers.org.uk/episode-wellbeing   Artists and guests: Amy Hall-Gibson Charlotte Allan Wee People Big Feelings Webpage: https://starcatchers.org.uk/work/wee-people-big-feelings...

Our third episode in the Let’s Talk About series, featuring Chief Executive of Children 1st, Mary Glasgow talks about the importance of the arts.  Let’s Talk About…is Starcatchers’ brand-new podcast celebrating Starcatchers’ 15th birthday in 2021. Rhona Matheson, Starcatchers’ Chief Executive, will be joined by friends and colleagues from across the arts, education and third sectors in Scotland ta...

Our second episode in the Let’s Talk About series, featuring Festival Director of Imaginate, Noel Jordan and Executive Director of Catherine Wheels Theatre Company, Tony Reekie will talk about the importance of baby theatre. Let’s Talk About…is Starcatchers’ brand-new podcast celebrating Starcatchers’ 15th birthday in 2021. Rhona Matheson, Starcatchers’ Chief Executive, will be joined by friends a...

This month, we’re talking about how to deliver creative ideas even when you don’t have a lot of space! To find resources that tie into this episode, head to: www.starcatchers.org.uk/episode-space   Artists and guests: Charlotte Allan, Theatre-maker, Artistic Director of Ipdip Theatre and researcher Skye Reynolds, Movement and dance artist Hazel Darwin-Clements, Theatre-maker and drama artist Rebec...

Welcome to Starcatchers’ brand-new podcast series Let’s Talk About… a podcast celebrating Starcatchers’ 15th birthday in 2021. Rhona Matheson, Starcatchers’ Chief Executive, will be joined by friends and colleagues from across the arts, education and third sectors in Scotland talking about a range of topics from baby theatre and children’s rights to being an advocate and why the arts. Our first ep...

This month, we’re talking about how to measure impact and the voice of the children you work with. To find resources that tie into this episode, head to: www.starcatchers.org.uk/episode-impact     Artists and guests: Rhona Matheson, Chief Executive at Starcatchers Pearl Kinnear, Visual Artist Amy Hall-Gibson, Drama Artist and Development Officer of Creativity at Education Scotland Charlotte Allan,...

Schemas are patterns of repeated behaviours which children engage in. In this episode, we talk about different schematic patterns, and how to support them through expressive arts delivery! Find more schema resources here: https://starcatchers.org.uk/work/creative-skills-online-podcast/schema-resources/ The Creative Skills Podcast is part of Creative Skills Online, online resources for the ELC work...

We have a special bonus episode about exploring Starcatchers' production "Mixed Up" at home! Find out more here: https://starcatchers.org.uk/work/mixed-up/

On this episode we sat down with Fraser Stone, musician and educator. We spoke about rhythm, self-expression, and how music is everywhere! The Creative Skills Podcast is part of Creative Skills Online, online resources for the ELC workforce in Scotland. To access this episode’s Reflective Practice worksheet, videos and sign up for Fraser's Creative Chat visit: https://www.starcatchers.org.uk/...

On this episode we were delighted to host Dr. Rachel Drury, a a researcher and creative artist who works in the fields of psychology and education. We spoke about communication, language development, agency and empathy. Plus some ideas to take music outdoors! The Creative Skills Podcast is part of Creative Skills Online, online resources for the ELC workforce in Scotland. To access this episode’s...