London ReFocus Open Meeting

Continuing our theme ‘Curious Adults, Curious Children’, This open meeting will give a further chance to hear different perspectives on democracy in early childhood education, both in theory and practice focusing on:

• What is democracy?
• How can democracy manifest itself in early childhood education?

Diana will share theory and research by using the voices and different perspectives of educators on the necessary conditions for democratic practices in the early years.

Cath with Nisha will share Rowland Hill’s project: ‘Framing the learning: a democratic exploration using photography and film with young children and their families ’.

As Carlina Rinaldi states in ‘In Dialogue with Reggio Emilia’
“…we must not forget how closely the school is related to the society in which it is situated’. ‘There is the recurring question of whether the school is limited to transmitting culture or can be (aspire to) a place where culture is constructed and democracy is lived”.

Have you heard of the Reggio Emilia Approach to pedagogy but only second hand?

Are you inspired by the principles of Reggio Emilia and want to learn more about introducing this into your setting?

Then this one day event, organised in collaboration with national early years organisation Early Education, is for you.

We know that it is difficult to turn beliefs, values and aspirations into practice: there’s a gap between what we want to do and what actually happens.

For more than twenty years, we have been working in dialogue with Reggio Emilia, in encouraging and demonstrating how to close the gap.

This day introduces the theory and practice of Reggio Emilia’s preschools, for those who are inspired to create educational contexts fit for children's curiosity and meaning-making.

During this day, we will consider:

• Core features of Reggio Emilia’s Approach
• Experiences of UK settings who have re-framed their practice
• Issues and possibilities for transforming your educational practice

The presenters will be from the group of Sightlines Initiative Consultants - Elizabeth Elders, Robin Duckett, Christine Merrick, Debi Keyte-Hartland,  all of whom have long-standing direct knowledge of Reggio Emilia's preschools, and are part of its International Network. 

Reggio Emilia Study Week 2019

Sunday 7th - Friday 12th April 2019

Loris Malaguzzi International Centre, Reggio Emilia, Italy.

A one-week study visit to learn about and be inspired by the world renowned educational approach of the preschools and infant toddler centres of Reggio Emilia.

This course will explore the key principles underpinning the Reggio approach to early childhood education including:

• History and background
• Creativity and expressive languages of children
• the pedagogy of listening
• The environment as 'the third teacher'
• Parents as partners
• Democratic citizenship
• Children as the subjects of rights
• Children and educators as researchers
• Observation, interpretation, documentation
• Making learning visible
• Professional dialogue

Read more ....

Come and hear about Little Jungle Nursery’s journey in developing a culture of participation and collaboration, as a means of deepening children’s learning.

You will have a chance to visit the nursery as well as gain an insight into how democracy manifests itself across all aspects of their provision and practice to create a rich and reflective learning environment for both children and adults.

Little Jungle believe that it is the right of every human being to be respected, listened to and feel valued and that every one of us can influence the shape of society and must take responsibility for doing so. Education therefore must trust and encourage children’s competency to learn and construct their own knowledge, within a context of strong values that support this approach, and underpins what makes humanity such a special entity.

“We must not forget how closely the school is related to the society in which it is situated” and aspire to education not being limited to transmitting culture, but “a place where culture is constructed and democracy is lived” (Carla Rinaldi: 'In Dialogue with Reggio Emilia', Routledge.)

This is day option 2 to visit Madeley Nursery School in Spring 2019 and encounter theirs, and Sightlines initive Network's, principles in practice. 

Participation is limited to 8. These are two separate days, so please choose one, not both.

documentation displayed"We are a Reggio inspired school with a beautiful learning environment and exciting child led curriculum. As a research school, we are involved in many national and international projects linked to early learning. Our aim is to create 'a community of learning where there are endless opportunities to discover together through curiosity, creativity and play."

Madeley Nursery School in Telford are keen participants in Sightlines' Network since 2000. This day  is designed for those wanting to explore the possible ways of practicing the principles of an environment of enquiry, and engage in dialogue with a committed staff group who are making keen endeavours to explore and develop their own practice. 

The day will begin promptly at 9a.m. at the Nursery, with an introduction followed by time to observe in the morning. After lunch there will be opportunities for discussion, and at the close of the school day, general discussion with staff. We will explore how the principles of Sightlines Initiative can be developed in your daily practice; the influences and insprations from Reggio, and the inevitable challenges. 

This is day option 1 to visit Madeley Nursery School in Spring 2019 and encounter theirs, and Sightlines initive Network's, principles in practice. 

Participation is limited to 8. These are two separate days, so please choose one, not both.

documentation displayed"We are a Reggio inspired school with a beautiful learning environment and exciting child led curriculum. As a research school, we are involved in many national and international projects linked to early learning. Our aim is to create 'a community of learning where there are endless opportunities to discover together through curiosity, creativity and play."

Madeley Nursery School in Telford are keen participants in Sightlines' Network since 2000. This day  is designed for those wanting to explore the possible ways of practicing the principles of an environment of enquiry, and engage in dialogue with a committed staff group who are making keen endeavours to explore and develop their own practice. 

The day will begin promptly at 9a.m. at the Nursery, with an introduction followed by time to observe in the morning. After lunch there will be opportunities for discussion, and at the close of the school day, general discussion with staff. We will explore how the principles of Sightlines Initiative can be developed in your daily practice; the influences and insprations from Reggio, and the inevitable challenges. 

Our ongoing group is discussing  our practices of democracy and listening, in the participant nurseries. Today we will focus on sharing any reflections on our focus point of democracy since we last met – moving forward what now for the group…. To work together to set areas of focus for the next term. 

We really welcome new participation - so please don't hesitate to come along.

We will also share any headlines from the recent Sightlines Conferences – all participants to share a snippet they took away with them from the conference.

This group is a support network for each-other - a place we can share our work and then dig deeper, a place we can share our concerns and support each other and a place to continue learning together! All voices are listened to and heard and different perspectives and challenges of views are welcomed.

There will be time to look around the nursery. Please arrive promptly - or even early - there'll be drinks and pastries!

Network Proposal: Languages of Evaluation, Actions of Re-cognition

This is an introduction to a research proposal focussing on, yes, evaluation

This will be an online presentation and introduction by Peter Moss, Robin Duckett and Louise Lowings. Peter Moss will  discuss the situation as he sees it, and has introduced at conferences in Canada and the United States; Robin Duckett will introduce the project proposal; Louise Lowings will introduce work which her Nursery School has begun in this respect.