About Crafty Tales
About Crafty TalesI first started "Crafty Tales" in 2006. We are a consortium of teachers who believe passionately in supporting parents everywhere, with our understanding of child development through music and signing in the early years, and in the social power of story telling. We like to think of ourselves as the torch bearers for traditional folk lore and fairy tales. We feel it is extremely important to keep these stories alive by telling them to small children and encouraging their parents to to do the same. Story telling is a simple way of igniting a child‘s imagination and encouraging their creativity. Combining the stories with drama, music and games provides a rounded, stimulating experience, which above all, is brilliant fun.”
Deva Armstrong,founder.
Deva (founder, teacher)
Deva worked in theatre up until her two children were born. Married to a sound engineer, she specialised in lighting design, then stage-management, but also includes puppetry, props making and scenic art in her portfolio of talents. Deva's love of stories comes from voracious reading while on tour as a child with her theatrical parents. After her children were born she worked as a muralist & Life Cake creator, with music and drama sessions for Jumping Beans as a sideline. However, as Deva became increasingly aware of the positive role music and storytelling played in child development, she knew she had to pass this knowledge on to families in her own way. In 2006, Crafty Tales was born; the only music provider to explain the developmental neuroscience behind their music and signing classes as they went along. Now,nearly two decades later, Deva can only hope that the children and parents get as much out of the sessions as she still does from teaching them!
Deva has now reached the point where she can step back and hand the family business on to her daughter Ellie!
Ellie (Director, teacher)
Voice actor, singer, and stage performer, Ellie will be a familiar face to many of you, having been part of our Crafty Tales Team for well over a decade, last year she stepped into her role as director of Crafty Tales. Born into a theatre family, and brought up in the shadow of Crafty Tales, Ellie later studied developmental child psychology at school before embarking on an Acting degree. She is now a professional actor, specialising in Voice Acting, and she regularly volunteers with VICTA (working with vision impaired children).
Ellie has always been passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and feels privileged to be a part of their journey.
Sophie (Teacher)
Having started as a Crafty Tales mum attending classes with her daughter 4 years ago, we were delighted to welcome Sophie on board as a permanent member of the team. Sophie has always wanted to make a difference in the lives of children, and observing the effect of Crafty Tales on her own daughter prompted her to apply for a teaching position with us. Being bilingual, Sophie also teaches French, making her a great asset to the Crafty Tales Team!
Lisa (Teacher)
Lisa first discovered Crafty Tales after hiring Deva for a party for her child over a decade ago - and now she has come on board our team of teachers! An actress for many years (The RSC, The Globe, The Royal National Theatre) Crafty Tales combines her love of performing with her passion for early years development. A mum herself, she has experienced first hand how music especially can fast track a child's intellectual growth. She is incredibly excited to help facilitate this for other families with Crafty Tales' excellent and (most importantly) fun format.
Arabella (Teacher)
Arabella is the newest addition to our Crafty Tales team and has an absolutely magnetic energy about her! Incredibly passionate about developmental psychology, Arabella has learned so much in such a short space of time and is quickly becoming one of our parents' favourite teachers! A friendly face who never fails to make a little one smile, we are so happy to have welcomed Arabella onto our team.
Freya (Teacher)
Freya has been inolved with musical theatre and performance from a young age. In addition she adores working with young children and bringing their imaginations to life. While studying Psychology at school, Freya also found herself fascinated by child development in the early years, so is super excited to be blending all these passions together as a teacher at Crafty Tales!
Freya is currently studying psychology, so only the lucky few will spot her covering classes and parties from time to time!
