New Research on Early Years Creative Practice: A Form of Listening

Kids Own has launched a new research publication A Form of Listening by Dr Byronie Reid.
Published: 31 March 2026

A Form of Listening by Dr Bryonie Reid, based on Kids’ Own’s early years project in Sligo, offers a thoughtful look at how artists and practitioners engage with very young children through creative practice.

The research draws on work delivered across 2024 and 2025, where Kids’ Own Associate Artists Naomi Draper, Maree Hensey and Ruth Le Gear collaborated with two pre-school settings: Holy Family Day Centre and Inspiring Minds. Working with children aged between two years and eight months and five years and six months, the project created space for shared exploration between artists, educators and children.

Holy Family Day Centre supports children with illnesses and disabilities, bringing together both health and education practitioners. Inspiring Minds follows an emergent curriculum influenced by the Reggio Emilia approach, where children’s curiosity and capabilities shape the direction of learning.

Across a series of sessions, Naomi Draper and Maree Hensey worked together in both settings, while Ruth Le Gear led a second phase of work at Inspiring Minds, supported by Naomi and Maree. Dr Reid’s research reflects on these experiences, offering insight into how creative processes unfold in early years environments and how adults can better attune to children’s ways of communicating.

As one artist reflects:
“Are we listening through touch, are we listening through their engagement? Looking is a form of listening. I’m interested in the idea of the material listening.”

The publication invites readers to consider what it means to truly listen to young children, and how creative practice can open up new ways of understanding their experiences and expressions.

The full report is now available to read A Form of Listening

The Early Years Arts project is funded through the Arts in Early Years Scheme by the Arts Council.