BeatFeet’s Early Years Creative & Cultural Education Programme
BeatFeet’s creative and cultural programme, funded by Arts Council England, delivered an inclusive international cultural exchange connecting children in the UK and The Gambia through rhythm, music and creative play. The project centred on shared musical experiences, using drumming, movement and storytelling to explore identity, wellbeing and connection across cultures. Rooted in respect and collaboration, the exchange fostered mutual learning and lived cultural knowledge. By linking classrooms and community settings across countries, the programme supported SEND-inclusive participation, broadened cultural understanding and demonstrated how the arts can support development of empathy, confidence and a sense of global citizenship among young people.
Use this page to explore a growing collection of teaching and learning resources developed through BeatFeet’s creative practice. Here you’ll find accessible lesson plans, activity ideas and an online repertoire of original music designed to support inclusive learning, creativity and wellbeing across a range of settings. The resources are suitable for schools, community groups and SEND contexts, offering practical, flexible tools that encourage participation, cultural curiosity and joyful music-making.
Explore our teaching resources, lesson plans and original music, created to support inclusive, creative learning.
Donkiloo Laa Journey! West African inspired art adventures
Donkiloo Laa Journey! is a joyful, colour-packed invitation for young children to explore creativity through artistic traditions of West Africa. Designed especially for early years settings, this beautifully illustrated booklet is filled with ready-to-use visual arts lesson plans that celebrate pattern, storytelling, nature, music and imagination.
With lesson plans devised by Educator and CEO of BeatFeet, Jude Winwood, Donkiloo Laa Journey! supports children aged 3–5 to discover new ways of expressing themselves while learning about cultures beyond their own in an age-appropriate, playful and respectful way. From bold textile patterns and expressive masks to animal habitats and folklore-inspired adventures, each activity encourages curiosity, confidence and hands-on making.
The booklet is carefully structured to support teachers and practitioners, with clear step-by-step guidance, discussion prompts, reflection moments and links to music and multimedia resources. At its heart is a commitment to inclusivity, creativity and cultural connection, inviting children to see themselves as artists and as part of a wider, beautifully diverse world.
Whether used in nurseries, early years classrooms or community settings, Donkiloo Laa Journey! brings learning to life through colour, rhythm and storytelling, sparking imagination and nurturing a love of art from the very start.
Donkiloo Laa Journey! Accompanying online music bank
BeatFeet's Early Years Creative & Cultural Education Programme – Music, Culture & Creativity!
Discover the power of music and culture with Beatfeet's Early Years Creative & Cultural Education Programme! Featuring fantastic music tracks composed and produced in collaboration with Blank Pages and Ezekiel Arzac, this programme forms part of a larger music collection supported by Arts Council England. Rooted in global traditions, the programme is anchored by Project Donkiloo Laa (Project Sing a Song), a Gambian cultural exchange initiative. With lesson plans and teaching resources, it’s designed to inspire young learners through rhythm, storytelling, and movement.
Why the Arts Matter for Young Learners…
The arts are vital for early years education, sparking curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning. They offer a dynamic way for children to explore the world and develop essential skills. Benefits for Children:
Boosts Creativity: Encourages self-expression through music and movement
Cultural Awareness: Introduces children to diverse traditions and global perspectives
Supports Development: Enhances motor skills, language, and emotional growth
Promotes Teamwork: Builds confidence and collaboration with others
Bring creativity and culture into your classroom today with these accompanying original tracks!
Extra Resources…
Viewers are also warmly invited to discover the music and songs of The Gambia, learning simple, joyful lyrics drawn from some of the country’s heritage languages. Through singing and listening, children and families can hear and use words from Mandinka, Wolof, Fula and Jola, celebrating the living languages that shape everyday life in The Gambia. This gentle introduction to language through music supports cultural understanding, listening skills and connection, helping children experience how songs carry stories, rhythms and shared meaning across generations and cultures.
Follow the link below to also view an accompanying songbook and activity booklet…
