TAP Research

The  TAP program was explored in a 2023 arts-based research project (Freebody, 2023). The study observed therapeutic art play with toddlers (aged 1-3) and their caregivers on Wangal land (Sydney’s inner-west). Sessions included sensory interactions with natural and artistic materials like sand, shells, plaster, and water. Data were collected through photographs, observations, recordings, and the researcher’s own art responses.

A key method used was diffractive analysis, which sees research as a dynamic relationship between people, materials, and actions. Instead of looking for fixed themes, this approach highlights how play unfolds through movement, gestures, and interactions between children and materials. Rather than treating participants and materials as separate, diffractive analysis recognizes how they shape each other in fluid, ever-changing ways.

This approach provided deep insights into the role of art in early childhood development, acknowledging toddlers as active participants in creative play. It also highlighted how the researcher’s presence influenced the process. The study’s innovative use of diffractive methods offered a fresh perspective on art therapy, emphasizing its unique potential in early childhood settings. This led to an award-winning, highly responsive research framework .