Mapping Research

This volume documents the research journey of Mapping: A Map on the Aesthetics of Performing Arts for Early Years. This multifaceted project took place over five years and involved researchers, art-ist-practitioners, illustrators, and managers from 22 countries and five different continents. Together they attempt to “map” the aesthetic perception of very young children, zero to six years old. The re-search for this book started with questions, which have been adapted and refined over the tumultuous years during which the project was implemented. At the heart of the book are the discussions of 24 question, focusing on four pillars of performing arts: image, movement, word, and sound. The discus-sions of these questions are not meant to give a definite answer—in that sense they may be considered observations and explorations. However, as the first research volume of a project this size and scope, it is an invaluable source for any researcher and artist that is interested in making art for, and contem-plating the value of art for, the early years.