From Chrissie, Reception Teacher, Croydon‘Helicopter Stories allows me the time to sit and listen to children in a way that...

A Case Study by Kirsty Bard, Lakehouse and Stationhouse Nurseries Portishead “As childcare practitioners, we are well-aware of the benefits...

It’s Not Fair “It’s not fair,” said Melissa. “I want Ruby to be in my story, not Amanda.” “When we...

‘What a fantastic skill to be able to listen, without pictures, without anyone even turning the pages of a book...

“(Helicopter Stories) was the only thing they did across the week that was fully inclusive. There was nothing else that was...

Isla Hill, Education Director, MakeBelieve Arts “The best poetry says something that lasts. It leaves a footprint deep in the...

Joby Gifford (Pre-School Manager, Sunnyside Pre-School) ‘It’s important to remember, the imagination of young children can be unleashed at any...

“Having such a high proportion of EAL learners has been a real learning curve. The Poetry Basket and The Story...

The pressure to produce the perfect festive performance for parents can often be overwhelming and leave us feeling less than...

Rebecca peered out from behind her Mummy’s legs and watched silently. Her sobs quietened, and the tears began to dry...

Jo Berry, Early Years Teacher, Thrussington Primary, Leicestershire At Thrussington C of E Primary School, Early Years have been taking...

About ten years ago, when I lived in London, I learned to deliver Helicopter Stories with Trisha Lee and Isla...

When I heard about The Poetry Basket and saw Trish performing the poems on the Helicopter Stories website, I knew...

Guest Blog By Alison Stead, Deputy Head Teacher, Bognor Regis Nursery School Helicopter Stories are exciting. Acting them out is...

There has been a lot of negative things written about using video conferencing as a teaching tool in education, (particularly...

With many schools and nurseries closed, or remaining open for only a small section of their community, we’ve had several...

Nadine Jones, Special Needs Practitioner I am one of the lucky ones. I work with children with additional needs. It...

Amanda Belbin, Nursery Teacher, Bincombe Valley Primary, Dorset ‘Chop Chop, Choppity Chop.’ Since my Nursery Class signed up to The...

I am in the very privileged position of being a school-based Helicopter Stories practitioner at Ash Grove Academy in Macclesfield,...

“Brrrrrm, Brrrrm, Brrrrm, Brrrrm, Brrrm, chhhhugg chhhuggg chhhugg chhhuuuggg chhuuugg Chuggg chhhhhh eeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkkkk ahhhhhh…” Hamir aged 5 Hamir is a...

Guest Blog: Kathryn Stevens Pre-school Teacher, Watermead Day Nursery, Leicestershire “Do a Nativity,” they said.“The parents will love it,” they...

One of the questions I am asked the most about Helicopter Stories is how can we enhance children’s language acquisition...

Guest Blog: Bonnie Mendoza Head of EYFS – Ark John Keats Academy Bonnie is one of MakeBelieve Arts Helicopter Stories...

Vivian Gussin Paley January 25th 1929 – July 26th 2019 Vivian Gussin Paley, world-renowned author, pre-school and kindergarten teacher sadly...

There are very few rules for Helicopter Stories. It can be adapted to fit within any early years setting and...

Shernice Donovan – Year 1 Teacher, Rusthall St Paul’s Primary, Kent   Back in June 2018, when I found out...

Ggggggrrrrrh,   Ggggggrrrrrh, Ggggggrrrrrh, Ggggggrrrrrh, Ggggggrrrrrh, Ggggggrrrrrh, Ggggggrrrrrh, Ggggggrrrrrh, He scares the people away. He scares the people in the garden....

Guest Blog: Isla Hill Education Director MakeBelieve Arts Chelsea’s Story* Once there was a little boy called Oscar. He went...

I am often asked about List Stories, and how to act them out. Naming a list of characters or objects...

At the beginning of a new academic year, I am often asked, ‘When is a good time to start Helicopter Stories?’...

The Ofsted Bold Beginnings report stated a need for children in Reception to be taught proper pencil grip and how...

Bella sat beside me. I wrote her name at the top of my A5 sheet of paper, and she started...

One of the questions that is often asked about Helicopter Stories is why both Isla Hill and I scribe verbatim,...

There is no hard and fast rule about how to keep a record of the children's stories you collect during...

Yesterday I visited a nursery where the Helicopter Stories approach had not been working. The moment I got the email...