Language Explorers - Little Voices, Big Expressions

Name: Language Explorers - Little Voices, Big Expressions
Start: 2026-10-03T10:30:00+01:00
End: 2026-10-26T10:30:00+00:00
Location: Draíocht Blanchardstown

About the event

In these hands-on workshops, children will journey through a colourful world of creativity, guided by Paola Invernizzi and inspired by a variety of art techniques. Each session blends storytelling and art making, inviting children to explore their emotions, ideas and imaginations in playful, meaningful ways. Curious minds, open hearts, and messy hands welcome. Ready to tie your apron?

Each session is different but connected to an overall theme. Come to as many workshops as you like!

Paola Invernizzi is an Italian visual artist based in Dublin. Having completed her studies in Arts and Health at the Brera Academy of Art in Milan, she has gained diverse experience in both health and educational contexts. Through this journey, she has come to recognize the potential of art in promoting well-being.

Embracing a phenomenological approach and employing a variety of techniques, Invernizzi facilitates the inner connection between individuals and different art forms. Her primary goal is to extend this connection to the broader community, thereby enhancing the sense of belonging. Since 2018, she has been working in Ireland, undertaking tailored initiatives that respond to community needs, with a particular focus on arts and health, arts in education, and arts in early childhood.

In 2020, Invernizzi was awarded the Professional Development Award by the Arts Council of Ireland, and in 2021, she received the Agility Award in arts participation.

Currently, Invernizzi is actively involved in residencies at primary and secondary schools, while also expanding her knowledge and skills in early childhood education through experiences in school settings and collaborations with Mother Tongues.

In the field of Arts and Health, she has begun a collaboration with Waterford Healing Arts, focusing on the psychiatric department. She is also an artist in residence at Tallaght University Hospital and has recently joined the panel of Helium Arts.

Language Explorers is Mother Tongues’ flagship programme for children in the early years. These workshops have a strong focus on language development, parent-child communication and literacy. Workshops provide a high-quality unique creative experience for parents and their children based on storytelling, drama, visual arts or music. While the workshops will be guided in English, we encourage families to embrace their home languages. This fosters meaningful connections between parents and children, creating a truly inclusive environment. Meet and connect with other like-minded families and share your language journey! English or Irish speaking or multilingual, every family is welcome to our workshops!

Mother Tongues is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting multilingualism and celebrating cultural and linguistic diversity through the arts. As Ireland’s first organisation of its kind, Mother Tongues' mission is to promote a more inclusive approach to language and culture. For the past eight years, they have developed programmes and partnerships across the arts, culture, and education sectors. Through advocacy, education and the arts, Mother Tongues empower communities to celebrate cultural identity and break down barriers that lead to racism and social isolation.

Ireland is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in Europe, with over 200 languages spoken in homes across the country. Yet, too many children grow up disconnected from their linguistic and cultural heritage due to systemic barriers. Integration is not simply about inclusion, it’s about belonging, participation and visibility. Mother Tongues meets this moment with urgency and creativity. We build bridges between communities, spark joy and pride in multilingualism, and provide concrete pathways for families and artists to thrive.