Sightlines Initiative

promoting creative and reflective practice in early childhood education

Diary Library

This Blog (or Diary) section has a broad mix of articles, reflections, comments, position pieces, as well as requests and information from Network members. It is becoming quite a comprehensive library. You can browse using the categories and search modules to the left.

Do contact us with your suggestions for new articles - and we really appreciate comments and other feedback.
Robin Duckett
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Rethinking Education

exploring a computer at Lotties's WoodenHouse Preschool

​Network member Lottie Child recently participated in a seminar in the House of Commons, hosted by  ex-teacher Emma Hardy MP and TED Prize winner Professor Sugata Mitra,  to consider 'Rethinking Education.' 

Here is her reflection, in which she considers the themes:

  • Should schooling be for 'pouring information in'?; 
  • Children are competent and resourceful learners;
  • Rethinking Education;
  • Where to with children's agency? 

There is an important and recurring thread which seems to run through all: the call for democracy and children's agency in schools. It is so encouraging that the hosting MP also makes this call - read on:

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Guest — Jo
This is soooo important for our young learners! Mary-Jane Drummond was my tutor at Cambridge - she has so much sense - why can th... Read More
Tuesday, 01 January 2019 19:23
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Seeking an assistant atelierista - the American School in London

One of the International Schools of our network is looking for an atelierista assistant:

"The American School in London is looking for an assistant atelierista for the Early Childhood section to provide support for our Reggio inspired creative arts program. In the atelier and the classrooms the 2 pre-K classes (Reception) and 3 Kindergarten classes (Year1) are given opportunities to explore the 100 languages through visual art, music, movement and drama. We follow an emergent curriculum based upon a thorough knowledge of the children's individual and group interests and also through listening to and facilitating dialogue, providing provocations, documenting, interpreting and reflecting on their playful inquiry.

A full job description can be found here "

ASL are making a real focus on their professional development at the moment, with all of the team having been to Reggio, and the core early years team participated in our 2018 Skylight programme. It could be a very exciting school to join, at this point!

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ASL Safeguarding :  "The American School in London is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. All new appointments will be subject to appropriate checks. Further details upon application."  

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Education in the world of the possible: Skylight research group work with Reggio Emilia

 The 2017 Skylight group's focus week in Reggio Emilia was now two weeks ago, and the group are now finding their feet again after a very intense study with our Reggiane colleagues. 

This group, for educators in settings who have been to Reggio before, are working positively on their professional practice and want the opportunity to enable themselves and their settings to become more skilful and courageous in their work of creating a listening pedagogy.

We're now into our third and 'what's next?' phase, working in individual setting, but with new shared understandings and intents on how we construct our classrooms, listen to our children's ideas and offer appropriate challenges. 

If you are interested in joining a new Skylight group, do get in touch to register your interest.  On Wed 5th December 2017 we're hosting an Erasmus funding session for applicants, and this is a tight deadline - email the office (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)  if you want to participate in this funding advice session.

Would you like to read more about the week? Christine Merrick has written a daily diary of our week in Reggio ... read on:

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