DEVELOPING A PEDAGOGY OF ENQUIRY / IN DIALOGUE WITH REGGIO EMILIA: CREATIVE EARLY YEARS’ AND PRIMARY PEDAGOGY

• Have you already visited the preschools of Reggio Emilia on our introductory study week?
• Do you want to develop your knowledge further and dig deeper with like-minded educators?
• Do you want to work together in dialogue with each other and with colleagues in Reggio Emilia, in the construction of an environment of enquiry?
• Is the educational setting in which you work keen for you to play a leading part in its continuing professional development, and to benefit from the learning opportunity of this course?

Then this 2017 Skylight study group is for you! It is 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.

Key Learning: co-constructed education; understanding and applying principles of ‘listening pedagogy’, the image of the child as competent, sociable and creative learner; education as enquiry and relationship; transformative, systemic development in education provision.

We will begin with sharing examples of collaborative learning that has taken place within our group and making plans for what we will do next together.

There will be opportunity upon arrival to visit, look around and be welcomed by Ashmore Park Nursery School.  

"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."

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. 

London ReFocus Open Meeting

Guest speaker : Penny Lawrence

We are fortunate in having Penny Lawrence presenting at this open meeting.
Penny ran the video centre and worked in the documentation team at the municipal pre-schools and infant–toddler centres of Reggio Emilia for three years. She is currently Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies at the University of Roehampton.

Penny will draw on her experience working in Reggio to consider how the 100 Languages of Children are involved in dialogues between children and the world around them.

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. It will involve lectures, presentations, discussion groups, exhibitions, visits to preschools and infant-toddler centres.

This day is designed for those wanting to explore the possible ways of practicing the principles of an environment of enquiry, and have a dialogue with a committed staff group who are making keen endeavours to explore and develop their own practice.

“Trimdon Grange Infant and Nursery School is outstanding in every respect.
Its reputation is justifiably high both within the local authority and further afield because of its inspirational curriculum and amazing levels of creativity. Pupils excel in their learning and make outstanding progress ... Standards are consistently well above national averages. All pupils, including more able pupils and pupils achieve exceptionally well. This is a direct result of the stimulating and innovative approach to teaching and learning in which pupils' interests in innovative, practical topics form the basis for learning.” OFSTED 2009

This is a school with which we have had great pleasure in working with over many years, and with whom we've developed several learning projects and publications, including 'The Sounds of Leaping' and 'The Drama of Sound'. On this day we will explore how the principles of Sightlines Initiative can be developed in your daily practice; the influences and inspirations from Reggio, the evolution of the school's pedagogy and the inevitable challenges.

I can see you and you can see meSightlines Initiative Network members present experiences of early years centres and educators being inspired, finding new enthusiasms and abilities in supporting children’s deep learning; illustrations of children's sociable, imaginative and deep learning

The London & West Midlands Network groups, and others in the Sightlines Initiative Community Network will present and discuss recent and current experiences in their developing of creative pedagogy.

An introduction to the network, for educators interested in change and listening to children

As part of our focus on making children's thinking visible, today we will be particularly exploring together how we can value the participation of individual children in group exchanges.

• What does ‘group’ mean to the children?
• How do children see each other?
• What is the physicality of a group?
• Is enough consideration given by educators into ‘the grouping’ of children?
• What are the respect and values of a group?
• What are the possible responsibilities in a group? How do the children connect with each other in a group? (leader/observer/follower).
• What is the role of the educator?
• Considering how we gather the contribution of the parents voice.

We are a new group, beginning to work together, and we welcome new participants. Participation is free to Network Subscribers (please sign in on the form when you register - the form will give you the 100% discount). The cost to those who are not yet members is £10.