Dr Triona Stokes

    Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education

    School of Education
    3rd
    309
    (01) 474 7409

    Biography

    Tríona Stokes worked as both a primary teacher and drama practitioner in schools before joining the former Froebel College of Education as the lecturer in Drama in 2007.

    She served as a member of the Bachelor of Education Review Committee and acted as rapporteur, culminating in the introduction of the revised Bachelor of Education programme in 2011-’12. She co-designed and has co-taught modules in the Personal and Professional Skills for Teaching and Learning since this time.

    Tríona was coordinator of the inaugural Arts Council residency in Dance from 2013-2016, which marked the transition from College of Education to university department at Maynooth.

    In 2016, Tríona graduated with an Education Doctorate from Queen’s University, Belfast. Her doctoral thesis investigated the perceptions of young children in school-based pretend play.

    From 2008-2018, Tríona served as founding committee member on the Froebel HOPE Teacher Education Partnership, which contributes to the education work of the HOPE Foundation in supporting teachers in Kolkata in play facilitation and promoting Froebelian active learning methods.

    Tríona is chairperson of the departmental Development and Intercultural Education (DICE) committee and School Placement Engagement Officer: Arts in Schools. She is currently acting secretary to the Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education Research Committee. Tríona has served in a variety of roles for the Association of Drama Education in Ireland (ADEI) since 2012, most recently as vice-chairperson from 2017-2020. She continues to serve as secretary to the ADEI Sub-committee for Curriculum Matters. 

    Research Interests

    Play and Pretend Play
    Children's Rights-Based Research
    Social Justice and the Arts
    Drama and Dance in Education 


                           

    Research Projects

      Project Role Funding Body / Program Description Start Date End Date Award (€)
    Froebelian Principles in the 21st Century: Play environments and play opportunities for young children experiencing stress Lead researcher, MU Froebel Trust / Non Commercial 03-FEB-20 31-JAN-22 31590
    Creative Ireland Deskbound Study PI Department of Children and Youth Affairs / Tender Creative Youth is a plan to facilitate the creative potential of every child and young person in Ireland ‘by securing an opportunity for [them] to become creative citizens’ (2017:1). A key proposition of the associated Creative Ireland Programme is that individual, community and national well-being is promoted through engagement in cultural and creative activity. The Creative Ireland Programme (2017-2022) has eighteen actions in its Creative Youth Plan, which include furnishing an initial research report to plan for undertaking future actions. Research findings will inform the programme design of a continuous professional development (CPD) input planned for implementation in 2020 with key stakeholders in early years’ provision. The CPD programme aims to offer support to early childhood practitioners, artists, carers and parents in the facilitation of quality arts experiences for the main stakeholders, the children. This desk-bound research project aims to develop knowledge and insight into the cultural participation of children aged 0-3 in receipt of non-parental care, further to the many benefits of their arts and cultural participation, as outlined in the Growing up in Ireland Study (Arts Council/ ESRI, 2016). There is a dearth of Irish research about the arts participation of very young children, despite the recognition of the significant opportunity universal preschool education presents for a wide of arts experiences across dance, drama, painting and music (Arts in Education Charter, 2013). The research outputs will take a number of distinct forms. These will include a roundtable discussion informing key stakeholders of the main findings of the written report and its glossary. It will also articulate the key principles underpinning creativity, and play and arts aspects of early childhood care with reference to the three related policy publications (Síolta, 2006; Aistear, 2009; The First Strategy, 2018). It is planned to deliver the research targets through a dedicated review of pertinent literature, followed by an identification both of quality features in arts practice engagement in early childhood care and education, and examples of excellence engagement therein. An associated glossary of terms will be collated as the research process unfolds. 04-DEC-19 31-DEC-19 3354

    Book Chapters

      Year Publication
    2018 'Reviewing Peer-Placement in Initial Teacher Education: Cleamhnas, Pre-Nuptial Agreements, and the seven-year itch'
    Dr Triona Stokes and Dr Ruth Forrest (2018) 'Reviewing Peer-Placement in Initial Teacher Education: Cleamhnas, Pre-Nuptial Agreements, and the seven-year itch' In: Brian Mooney (eds). Education Matters Yearbook 2017-2018. Castleisland, Co. Kerry: Education Matters/ Walsh Colour Print. [Details]
    2017 'Partnership as key: cultivating Facilitator-Artist Relationships in Teacher Education in Arts Council Dance Residencies'
    Susan Marron and Dr Triona Stokes (2017) 'Partnership as key: cultivating Facilitator-Artist Relationships in Teacher Education in Arts Council Dance Residencies' In: Brian Mooney (eds). Education Matters Yearbook 2016-2017. Castleisland, Co. Kerry: Education Matters/ Walsh Colour Print. [Details]
    2016 'Dancing to Life: Reflections on the Experience of the Dance Artist-in-Residence at Maynooth University'
    Triona Stokes (2016) 'Dancing to Life: Reflections on the Experience of the Dance Artist-in-Residence at Maynooth University' In: Brian Mooney (eds). Education Matters Yearbook 2015-2016. Castleisland, Co. Kerry: Education Matters/ Walsh Colour Print. [Details]
    2007 'Drama'
    Triona Stokes (2007) 'Drama' In: Moloney Mary (eds). Voice and Choice Curriculum Framework. Limerick: Mary Immaculate College and Limerick City Childcare. [Details]

    Peer Reviewed Journals

      Year Publication
    2019 'Using participatory methods with young children; reflections on emergent 'ethically important moments' in school-based research'
    Stokes, T (2019) 'Using participatory methods with young children; reflections on emergent 'ethically important moments' in school-based research'. Irish Educational Studies, [DOI] [full-text] [Details]

    Other Journals

      Year Publication
    2018 'Ameliorating free-flow play for young children through increased access to school play spaces indoors and out: Reflections on an Irish context'
    Dr Triona Stokes (2018) 'Ameliorating free-flow play for young children through increased access to school play spaces indoors and out: Reflections on an Irish context' Children's Research Network: Children and Young People's Play, 6 (2) :20-24. [full-text] [Details]

    Conference Publications

      Year Publication
    2017 'You get dead!’ Examining narrative structures and endings through children's agentic pretend play scripts
    Dr Triona Stokes (2017) 'You get dead!’ Examining narrative structures and endings through children's agentic pretend play scripts . In: Culligan, B. and Mehigan, G eds. Exploring the Literacy Landscape: Celebrating 40 Years of Research and Practice , pp.11-21 [Details]
    2009 Creativity and the Arts in the Primary School: Drama
    Triona Stokes (2009) Creativity and the Arts in the Primary School: Drama Consultative Conference on Education Irish National Teachers' Organisation , pp.22-23 [Details]
    2008 Re-imagining Identity through Drama Education
    Triona Stokes (2008) Re-imagining Identity through Drama Education . In: Hellenic Theatre Network eds. 6th International Drama and Theatre Conference Greece, , pp.322-333 [Details]
    2014 O Reason not the Need!’ Examining Opportunities a Reciprocal Relationship for Drama and English through the use of a movie stimulus for Oral Language Development
    Triona Stokes (2014) O Reason not the Need!’ Examining Opportunities a Reciprocal Relationship for Drama and English through the use of a movie stimulus for Oral Language Development Language, Literacy and Literature: Re-Imagining Teaching and Learning, 37th Literacy Association of Ireland Conference , pp.129-135 [Details]

    Conference Contributions

      Year Publication
    2018 The Superhero Play Continuum: Reflections from an Irish Schools’ Perspective,.
    Dr Triona Stokes (2018) The Superhero Play Continuum: Reflections from an Irish Schools’ Perspective,. [Oral Presentation], EDUlearn Conference/IATED 10th International Conference on Education and New Learning, Palma de Mallorca [Details]
    2017 Investigating the case for Teacher Facilitation of Children’s Superhero Fantasy Play in Schools in the Irish Context: A playful outlet or a precarious pursuit?.
    Dr Triona Stokes (2017) Investigating the case for Teacher Facilitation of Children’s Superhero Fantasy Play in Schools in the Irish Context: A playful outlet or a precarious pursuit?. [Oral Presentation], Global Development Conference, Lisbon [Details]
    2016 Workshop and Oral Presentation.
    Triona Stokes andLisa Cahill (2016) Workshop and Oral Presentation. [Other], 1st National Arts Day, IMMA, Dublin , 23-APR-16 [Details]
    2015 Froebel and Pretend Play: Autotelic Interpretations.
    Dr Triona Stokes (2015) Froebel and Pretend Play: Autotelic Interpretations. [Oral Presentation], 7th International Froebel Society Conference, Frankfurt [Details]
    2015 Becoming ‘The Magnet Woman’: Researching with young children about pretend play using participatory methods.
    Triona Stokes (2015) Becoming ‘The Magnet Woman’: Researching with young children about pretend play using participatory methods. [Oral Presentation], ESAI Educational Studies of Ireland Annual Conference, Maynooth, Co. Kildare [Details]
    2015 Literacy’s Seamless Integration into the Pretend Worlds of Infant Classrooms- Child’s Play?.
    Triona Stokes (2015) Literacy’s Seamless Integration into the Pretend Worlds of Infant Classrooms- Child’s Play?. [Oral Presentation], Literacy Association of Ireland Annual Conference, Marino Institute of Education, Dublin [Details]
    2015 Questions of Rigour and Reliability in Research with Young Children using a Participatory Approach.
    Triona Stokes (2015) Questions of Rigour and Reliability in Research with Young Children using a Participatory Approach. [Oral Presentation], Doctoral Conference, University College Dublin [Details]
    2014 Play for Play’s sake? Examining Implications for the provision of pretend play arising from General Comment 17 on Article 31 of the UN Rights of the Child.
    Triona Stokes (2014) Play for Play’s sake? Examining Implications for the provision of pretend play arising from General Comment 17 on Article 31 of the UN Rights of the Child. [Oral Presentation], Advancing Children's Rights Conference, Queen's University Belfast [Details]
    2012 Workshop title: The Other in Me - an exploration of empathy in practice.
    Triona Stokes and Ruth Forrest (2012) Workshop title: The Other in Me - an exploration of empathy in practice. [Oral Presentation], 7th International Drama and Theatre Conference, Athens [Details]

    Article

      Year Publication
    2013 'Now, who's an ugly duckling?': Using Traditional Stories to Examine Drama in Education as a Medium to Explore Diversity and Difference in the Irish Primary Classroom.
    Triona Stokes (2013) 'Now, who's an ugly duckling?': Using Traditional Stories to Examine Drama in Education as a Medium to Explore Diversity and Difference in the Irish Primary Classroom. Article [Details]

    Electronic Publication

      Year Publication
    2019 'Water Come to Me!' A Development Education Resource for infant classes.
    Dr Triona Stokes (2019) 'Water Come to Me!' A Development Education Resource for infant classes. Electronic Publication [Details]

    Magazine Article

      Year Publication
    2012 Billie Butterfly’s Adventure, Ideas for Dance and Drama with Infant Classes.
    Dorothy Morrissey and Triona Stokes (2012) Billie Butterfly’s Adventure, Ideas for Dance and Drama with Infant Classes. Dublin: Magazine Article [Details]

    Magazine Article

      Year Publication
    2017 The Giant Catcher's Adventures: A Drama for First and Second Class.
    Triona Stokes (2017) The Giant Catcher's Adventures: A Drama for First and Second Class. Dublin: Magazine Article [Details]

    Video recording / TV

      Year Publication
    2016 Reflecting on a University-based Dance Residency in Kildare.
    Dr Triona Stokes; Lisa Cahill (2016) Reflecting on a University-based Dance Residency in Kildare. Kildare: Video recording / TV [Details]

    Online Multimedia

      Year Publication
    2019 Unfolding.
    Dr Triona Stokes; Lisa Cahill (2019) Unfolding. https://repository.dri.ie/catalog/dr27bh262: Online Multimedia [Details]

    Professional Associations

      Association Function From / To
    Subcommittee on Curriculum Matters of ADEI( Association of Drama Education in Ireland) Secretary 05-SEP-16 /
    Association of Drama Education in Ireland (Vice-chairperson) National Drama Education support for teachers and drama practitioners 03-MAY-08 / 20-JAN-21

    Committees

      Committee Function From / To
    School Placement Committee Froebel Department School Placement Engagement Officer: Arts in Schools 2012 /
    Doctoral Working Group Secretary 2019 /
    Storyteller in Residence Interdepartmental Committee Membership Member 2016 /
    Arts in Education Research Repository Committee Member 2017 /
    Development and Intercultural Education National Management Committee Management Committee member 2018 /
    Development and Intercultural Education Steering Committee Chairperson 2013 /
    Froebel Department Research Committee Secretary (acting) 2019 /

    Employment

      Employer Position From / To
    Froebel College of Education Lecturer in Drama Education 01-NOV-07 /
    Mary Immaculate College Limerick Assistant Lecturer in Drama Education 07-SEP-04 / 31-OCT-07

    Education

      Year Institution Qualification Subject
    2016 Queen's University,Belfast Education Doctorate School-based pretend play
    2004 Warwick University Master of Arts Drama and Theatre Education
    2007 University of Limerick Post-graduate diploma Dance

    Outreach Activities

      Description

    Nominated as a community representative to St. Mary's BNS Maynooth Board of Management Link

    2014-2019 organiser of annual public workshop or lecture facilitated by the Arts Council Artist-in-Residence for Culture Night Kildare. Link

    A founding member of the three-person committee who established over ten years a professional teaching partnership with the HOPE Foundation, assisting with their Education programmes to support the work of Indian teachers in state schools and HOPE-run education centres through a sustained programme of Continuing Professional Development and a volunteer sending programme for graduating teachers from Maynooth to co-teach in Kolkata annually for five weeks.

    Other Activities

      Description

    With the support of a departmental Artist in Residence Committee, I coordinated the inaugural dance residency of dance artist, Lisa Cahill. This involved weekly planning meetings, liaison with local schools, performance organisation and annual reporting to the Arts Council.

    Teaching Interests

    Tríona teaches drama across the Bachelor of Education and Professional Master of Education degree programmes, as part of the Curriculum, Methodology and Assessment modules. Through predominantly workshop-style engagement, students are facilitated to learn through and about the art form of drama. A dialogic teaching approach is modelled in drama, which shares a thematic focus with all other curricular areas in the modules. Workshop content is drawn from a variety of sources, using rich narratives and reflecting topical issues affecting the primary school classroom and beyond. 
                           
    Tríona is coordinator of Personal and Professional Skills for Teaching and Learning across Years 1-3 of the Bachelor of Education modules, EDF133, EDF234 and EDF337. Student-teacher personal and professional development is the focus of the Bachelor of Education modules on which Tríona teaches, Personal and Professional Skills for Teaching and Learning 1 and 2. The content includes communication and presentation skills, group dynamics, teaching values, academic writing and Harvard referencing skills, each of which are introduced through a mixture of workshops , lectures and seminar-style discussion groups. Course reading equips students to collaborate on school-based case studies. 

    Tríona has designed and taught a number of curriculum elective modules in arts education within the Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education. These include Dance Education, Integrating Dance and Drama and Storytelling Theatre for the Classroom.