2021 BRIGHT START CONFERENCE

CONFERENCE TRACK 2: For typically developing children (ECD).

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DATE: Thursday, 18 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. 

TYPE: Best Practice Presentation

TOPIC: Never too Early: Challenging Gender Stereotypes from the Early Years

Description: A root cause of the gender inequalities which persist throughout society, gender stereotypes limit children’s aspirations and outcomes from a young age, feeding children’s understanding of the world and expectations for their place in it. This session will explore how the gender stereotyping which surrounds children in every aspect of their lives finds its way into the school and nursery environment – through language, books, teaching and everyday interactions. The session will help practitioners to recognise stereotyping in their settings and reflect on their crucial role in challenging it. Learning objectives: Participants understand how big a shaping influence gender stereotyping is for children and why it matters; Participants recognise where gender stereotyping might appear in the school or nursery environment; Participants reflect on gender stereotyping and the role they can play in addressing it; Participants take away practical strategies for challenging gender stereotyping through their own practice.

Speakers: Kirsty Ruthven, Lifting Limits, United Kingdom, Head of Education.

Caren Gestetner, Lifting Limits, United Kingdom, Chief Executive and Co-Founder.

 

DATE: Thursday, 18 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. 

TYPE: Best Practice Presentation

TOPIC: Building Visual Arts Skills, Knowledge and Confidence and Demonstrating Art Methods and Processes

Description: Research suggests that many educators have little confidence to plan visual arts learning experiences for children. This lack of self-confidence, combined with limited visual arts skills and technical knowledge, often result in children being presented with structured, adult-designed templates to make, rather than being supported to develop meaningful relationships with quality arts materials and processes. This presentation will share video examples and demonstrations of visual arts methods, materials and processes to build the visual arts literacy of early childhood educators. Conference delegates will be pedagogically and creatively inspired to increase their repertoire of visual arts experiences and to position both the child and the educator as co-learners, co-researchers and co-teachers of the arts.

 

DATE: Thursday, 18 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. 

TYPE: Workshop

TOPIC: Pedagogical Leadership in Early Childhood Education Settings: Kindergarten Leader as Coach and Mentor

Description: A wide pool of research into what makes a school successful in terms of student outcomes has pointed to the central importance of school leadership (Huber and Muijs 2010). Research has also indicated that a leader who is able to combine both transformational and pedagogical (or instructional) leadership is highly effective in raising standards. However, it is pedagogical leadership which has been identified as having the most significant positive impact (Day and Hammons 2016). Arguably pedagogical leadership has even more relevance in Early Childhood Education (ECE) settings, a critical phase of education where teaching and learning processes – and interactions between teacher and child – lay the foundation for personal, social, emotional, physical and cognitive development. Key aspects of pedagogical (or instructional) leadership are to ensure that teaching and learning is kept in the ‘spotlight’ as a core function of the school, and to provide practical support and guidance to teachers in relation to practice (Rodd 2012). This workshop will address the ‘what’ of pedagogical leadership, and then, in a series of practical activities, look at ‘how’ to support Early Childhood teachers towards quality practice with a focus on ECE leaders as coaches and mentors.

Speaker: Louise Anna Ruskin, United Kingdom, Senior Education Specialist.

 

DATE: Thursday, 18 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. 

TYPE: Workshop

TOPIC: The Forgotten Domain in Child Development: The Physical Domain

Description: This workshop will explore why the physical domain is so important in child development and how it underpins the other four child development domains. Recent research highlighting the connection between brain development and child development will be explored. Additionally, significant time will be spent discussing practical and pedagogical resources for educators which are relevant and applicable to their setting. Several practical examples will be provided. This workshop will encourage educators to think broadly about the physical domain in relation to their setting, their resources, the type of learning experiences offered, vocabulary used in such learning experience, planning and observation relating to the physical domain and the importance of child and educator interactions to promote the physical domain. Globally there are few opportunities to participate in professional learning focusing on the physical domain, thus this workshop will provide an excellent opportunity for all educators.

Speaker: Rachel Jones, School of Education, Early Start, University of Wollongong, Australia, Senior Lecturer Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences & Humanities.

 

DATE: Thursday, 18 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. 

TYPE: Best Practice Presentation

TOPIC: What Our Little Boys Need to be Successful in Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Classes

Description: How pre-school teachers can recognize and understand the behaviour of boys in their group through the lens of curiosity and questioning? Learning Objectives: Expose teachers to the idea behind the Boy’s Code and why it is important that they know this; share best practices for the learning style of boys and how to incorporate this practically in the classroom.

Speaker: Kathryne Imabayashi.

 

DATE: Thursday, 18 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Best Practice Presentation

TOPIC: Children’s Social and Emotional Development Beyond the Pandemic

Description: As we progress towards a post-lockdown world, this session brings together global leaders in Early Childhood Education and parents to discuss practical ways in taking forward learning from parental engagement practices over the last year to better support children’s social and emotional learning and development. This informative and interactive workshop includes contributions from both Early Years teachers and parent perspectives, covering: Learning from the highs and lows of family engagement in 2020 Examples of best practice for parental engagement in Early Years Understanding how to implement best practice in early years settings Practical ways to connect classroom and home activities to support children’s social and emotional learning Practical ways to build mutual trust and understanding between parents and schools Lorraine and her guests will also be discussing the exemplar Mouse Club project where schools reported transformed relationships with parents, greater openness and trust, and improved sleeping, eating, behaviour and language development in children.

Speakers: Lorraine Allman, Can-Do Child®,UK, Author, Educator, and International Consultant. Janet Davies, Parental Engagement Network (PEN), United Kingdom, Managing Director.

 

DATE: Thursday, 18 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Best Practice Presentation

TOPIC: Earth Warriors: Play-Based Activities for 3-7 Year-Olds to Foster Their Love for Nature

Description: Earth Warriors is an early childhood education curriculum that uses play-based learning and a solutions-oriented approach to teach young children (3-7 year olds) about sustainability and climate change. This session will cover why climate and sustainability education is important from a young age and how to teach it in a play-based way. We will dive into climate change education, the benefits of play-based learning and how our activities and lessons work. We hope this session will be an informative, fun and useful time for participants to gain practical knowledge, tips and tools about climate education and apply learnings to their own classroom.

Speakers: Keya Lamba, Earth Warriors Global, United Kingdom, Co-Founder Earth Warriors Global, Early Childhood Education Specialist. Shweta Bahri, Earth Warriors Global, United Kingdom, Co-Founder, Sustainability & Education Policy Expert. 

 

DATE: Thursday, 18 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Research Presentation

TOPIC: How can Music and Movement Promote Learning in a Post-Covid World?

Description: Will learning be any different after Covid-19? What does research say about children’s experiences of lockdown and covid-19? This seminar will look at the latest research on early childhood experiences of Covid-19 and offer some guidance and practical support on how best to support young children to engage in learning using a music and movement philosophy.  The session will provide both practical and theoretical content to inspire young children to become confident learners.

Speaker: Helen Battelley, Birmingham City University (CREC).

 

DATE: Thursday, 18 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Workshop

TOPIC: Multidisciplinary Experience for Children: Nature Sings Through Colours and Shapes

Description: ‘How to explore nature and combine music, movement and land-art with children 5-6 YEARS ' In this multidisciplinary experience, nature is the muse and the source of inspiration. When young children are exposed to nature, they begin to interact with its offerings. In this practical workshop we will explain how to organize an atelier outside, where music and visual art are combined. Observing the land art of Andy Goldsworthy, inspires children to create outside. By doing this, the variety of loose parts encourage them to find and create patterns, explore the concepts of numbers and simple equations and ‘mathematize’ their thinking, using concepts such as colours, shapes, rhythm, movement, friction, tempo, connection, ... Their creations are captured with artistic techniques such as monotypes, frottages.. Meanwhile, they are asked to listen to the sounds around them and move. They will compose their own music inspired by the sounds of nature, using scores of natural material. Creating art in nature evokes joy and wonder but also commitment to the environment. This multidisciplinary experience wants to enable and deepen children’s 21st century skills of creativity, communication and collaboration, with an emphasis on sustainability.

Speakers: Sanne Calluwaerts, Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Art, Belgium, Lecturer, Artistic Pedagogical Coach, Early Childhood Education Department. Joke Den Haese, Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Arts (EhB), Lecturer ART-CULTURAL Education, Early Childhood.

 

DATE: Thursday, 18 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Workshop

TOPIC: Director’s Workshop

Description: Captain of the Ship: Sailing your school to success with compassion and strength. Participants in this workshop will learn: How to eliminate certain phrases and words to achieve a successful solution to a problem; enrolment vs registration; leading with kindness vs commands; two breathing techniques to increase energy or calm oneself immediately; how to train children (and adults) to follow instructions without resistance; how to truly find out why or what a child or adult is hiding and what is really going on with them; two highly effective behavior management techniques to introduce to your entire staff; how to improve your closing numbers by connecting with a prospect on an emotional level; how to read and interpret body language to truly understand where a prospect is in their decision making process; two tools to improve time management while getting more done (stack and schedule breakdowns); understanding how Love Languages can transform your relationships with your staff.

Speaker: Ron Shuali, Florida, USA, M.Ed., Early Childhood Consultant, Founder of Yogarate, Author.

 

DATE: Thursday, 18 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Panel Discussion

TOPIC: Creating Responsive Programs for Infants, Toddlers and Pre-schoolers: Relationship Based Approaches

Description: The session will explore the premise that loving, consistent relationships foster learning in early childhood settings. From the beginning young children depend and rely on their families and care givers to provide safe and nurturing environments so they can grow and thrive. This session will highlight important approaches that focus on social and emotional development of early learners. The panel will also share research findings that support these approaches and provide participants with engaging examples that bring relationship approaches to life.

Speakers: Calvin Moore, Council for Professional Recognition, USA, CEO, Child Development Associate (CDA).

Michelle L. Brown, Council for Professional Recognition, USA, Executive Vice President, Programs Division.

Amber Jones, CDA Council, USA, Pre-K Lead Teacher.

 

TIME (GMT): 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Best Practice Presentation

TOPIC: Early Childhood Music: Creative?

Description: In this presentation, Nicola will discuss creativity and will specifically explore music making in early childhood. Delegates will be invited to consider pedagogical approaches to early childhood music practice and how these approaches may or may not encourage creativity. Nicola will share elements of Musical Development Matters in the Early Years and will demonstrate how delegates can support children’s musicality, creativity and development. The presentation will also introduce delegates to Tune into Listening, her award-winning free resource that shares research findings of an active listening action research project.

Speaker: Nicola Burke, United Kingdom, Early Childhood Music Consultant, Strategic leader, Author, Researcher.

 

DATE: Thursday, 18 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Workshop

TOPIC: To Climb Their Own Mountains: Creativity, Loris Malaguzzi and His Schools

Description: In this workshop, we will unwrap and deconstruct how creativity connects with art and knowledge through an investigation of Loris Malaguzzi’s thinking and pedagogy as expressed through the Pre-Schools of Reggio Emilia, his writing and conversation. Creativity is notoriously hard to pin down to a singular concept or way of seeing. As a process it is hard to define let alone identify processes that we can observe in young children. Malaguzzi and the Infant-Toddler and Pre-Schools of Reggio Emilia offer us a unique perspective to catch a glimpse of creativity in its everyday clothes in our own contexts and situations, not as a special mental faculty of a few, but as a way of knowing that is amplified in relational and social contexts. As artists, educators, teachers, and pedagogical leaders, we can learn how to curate and promote creativity in our own schools, classrooms, and environments when we activate pedagogical listening, reflection and exchange our points of view to energize learning through and between the 100 Languages of Children. Learning Objectives: To understand creativity from the point of view of Loris Malaguzzi ‘as a quality of thought’ that can be revealed in the everyday daily experiences of young children; to explore pedagogical approaches that support and promote creativity inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach®;  to consider ways in which to connect the ‘school of knowing’ with the ‘school of expressing’ through a re-consideration of the 100 Languages.

Speaker: Debi Keyte-Hartland.

 

DATE: Thursday, 18 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Panel Discussion

TOPIC: Active Play Every Day! Physical Activities to Promote Young Children’s Learning and Development

Description: Join the panel to discuss the role of movement in children’s development and the interplay of movement and academic readiness. Gather practical ideas for physical activities that can be enjoyed in small spaces without expensive equipment. Learn how to plan developmentally appropriate movement tasks to meet the needs of young children. Consider ways of structuring the environment to infuse physical activity throughout children’s day and of encouraging families of young children to enjoy physical activities together.

Speakers: Helena Baert, SUNY Cortland, USA, Associate Professor in Physical Education.

Diane H.Craft, State University of New York Cortland, USA, Professor, Physical Education Department.

Jeff Gehris, Temple University, USA, Associate Professor of Kinesiology.

 

DATE: Thursday, 18 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Presentation, Discussion and Workshop

TOPIC: Parents as Partners: Creating Meaningful Engagement to Better Support Children with ASD

Description: This part presentation, part discussion and activity workshop will help participants learn key strategies for meaningful family engagement to better support children who have special needs, in particular those on the autism spectrum. It gives an opportunity to listen and converse with experts and thought leaders who have extensive practical experience working with and supporting educators, families, and children with special needs. It includes: The importance of establishing parents as partners to maximise every child’s learning potential Areas requiring particular attention when supporting families with children on the autism spectrum Practical ways to build mutual trust and understanding between parents and schools.

Speaker: Lorraine Allman, Can-Do Child®,UK, Author, Educator, and International Consultant.

 

DATE: Thursday, 18 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Workshop

TOPIC: Pre-schoolers, Private Parts and Playmates: What’s Typical, What’s Not, and When to Really Worry

Description: Preschoolers are naturally curious about bodies – their friends’ and their own. They also love potty talk and aren’t shy about nudity. When you know what kinds of sexual behaviors in young children are typical and common and how to talk with parents about it, everyone is safer. Learning objectives:  Analyzing the difference between sex play and sexualized play and when to be concerned; identifying and preventing sexual abuse; examination of typical childhood psychological and social sexual development and the common behaviors for each age group; techniques for interacting with children engaging in these behaviors – including scripts; how to evaluate a child's behavior by using a simple behavioral checklist.

Speaker: Amy Lang, Just Say This! Parental Guidance for the Birds & Bees Talks, Sexuality Educator. 

 

FRIDAY, 19 NOVEMBER 2021

 

DATE: Friday, 19 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 07:00 a.m. to 09:00 a.m. 

TYPE: Practical Workshop

TOPIC:  ‘Routine Matters’ in Early Childhood Education and Care

Description: Educators play an important role in establishing a pedagogical approach that promotes effective learning through creating quality environments and practices. An aspect of every Early Childhood Education & Care (ECEC) setting is the routine, or the structuring of the day. This practical workshop will present the findings of current research that focuses on the importance of responsive and context-specific routines in ECEC. A range of routine designs will be presented, and a discussion of the value of various routine strategies. Through consideration of the use of time, place and space in ECEC, innovative and accessible strategies will be presented. Promoting sustainable, playful and engaging approaches to pedagogy and practice experiences that support learning outcomes of children will be central to these approaches.

Speaker: Karen Tonge, University of Wollongong, Australia, PhD., Lecturer in The Early Years program, Leader Early Years Professional Experience program.

 

DATE: Friday, 19 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 07:00 a.m. to 09:00 a.m. 

TYPE: Best Practice Presentation

TOPIC: How to Plan and Implement a Series of Connected Learning Experiences Based on Children’s Interests

Description: What happens to children’s engagement and attitude to learning when they are asked to complete activities about topics that do not ignite their interests? This presentation will support educators to consider ways to design integrated and meaningful holistic curriculum projects with children that cater to children’s interest, learning styles and multiple intelligences. Examples of practice will highlight the features and share strategies for integrating the curriculum. Rather than compartmentalising topics and domains, this approach to planning the curriculum honours the child and positions them as capable and confident learners. Educators will be encouraged to embrace their own creativity and love of learning in order to foster purposeful and playful inquiry-based learning that is relevant to the children they work with.

Speaker: Gai Lindsay, University of Wollongong, Australia, BEd-The Early Years.

 

DATE: Friday, 19 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 07:00 a.m. to 09:00 a.m. 

TYPE: Best Practice Presentation

TOPIC: How to Unpack an Artwork with Young Children

Description: What is an artwork? What is an artist? What processes or practices do artists undertake? It is important for educators and parents and especially young children, to gain an understanding of these important areas. Young children need to critically engage with real artworks, visit museums and communicate openly about artworks. What skills are required by educators and parents to help young children ‘unpack’ an artwork? This presentation will use a variety of artworks and artists to enable young children to see, understand and communicate their ideas about art. The presentation will provide questioning and visual thinking strategies for educators and parents to enable children to better understand and enjoy artworks, while gaining a greater understanding of the processes artists use to produce art.

Speaker: Ian Brown, University of Wollongong, NSW Australia, Honorary Professor.

 

DATE: Friday, 19 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 07:00 a.m. to 09:00 a.m. 

TYPE: Presentation

TOPIC: The A to E of Young Children’s Creativity in STEAM Inquiry Projects 

Description: Around the world we see children thinking creatively and discovering through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) inquiry in their everyday activities and through their play. As children inquire, they can pose their own questions, make predictions, try out new construction ideas and playfully use digital devices in artistic ways. Children use their five senses to answer questions, talk about their ideas and creatively represent their understandings. Through STEAM inquiry, children are learning through a cross- disciplinary approach where they apply concepts from multiple fields, think creatively, problem solve and construct artistic solutions and representations. In this presentation we will share the innovative A to E of Young Children’s Creativity Framework and explore how educators design of STEAM learning environments and pedagogical practices can impact on children’s opportunities for creative thinking and doing. We will share examples of STEAM inquiry projects from early years centers and explore how in practice children’s creativity can be positioned as a social, interactional and a meaningful process, rather than being simply focused on a product.

Speakers: Karen Murcia, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, PhD, Associate Professor in the School of Education.

Katie Fielding, School of Education, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Early-Career Researcher.

 

DATE: Friday, 19 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Practical Workshop

TOPIC: ‘From Rattle to Rocket’: How to Create an Early Arts Laboratory in Your Settings 

Description: The project "From Rattle to Rocket" focuses on toddlers (2-3y), who are invited to the Early Arts Laboratory in your settings to experiment with materials, movement, techniques & sounds, to make their imagination and curiosity visible. Early Childhood educators are invited to stimulate each child at their own level and encourage them to actively participate. The module starts from the concept ‘the environment as the third pedagogue’ and adds abstract art as a source of inspiration. In this Practical workshop we will present the step by steps process to  construct an adapted space, using inspiring found objects and loose parts, combining as many artistic languages ( the 100 languages) as possible into a stimulating whole. Young visitors, our toddlers are invited to explore as small artists themselves and as such become an inspiration to all. Based on observation, Early Years educators stimulate the experience with toddlers by guiding them, interacting with them and taking the role of the second pedagogue. They document these inspiring moments to reflect and deepen the experience.

Speakers: Sanne Calluwaerts, Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Art, Belgium, Lecturer, Artistic pedagogical coach, Early Childhood Education Department.

Joke Den Haese, Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Arts (EhB), Lecturer ART- CULTURAL Education, Early Childhood.

Nele Rawoe, Brussels, Belgium, Lecturer in movement and developmental psychology.

Nathalie Deklerck, Brussels, Belgium, Lecturer in audio-visual art and drama.

 

DATE: Friday, 19 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Practical Workshop

TOPIC: Pyjama Drama Techniques and Imaginative Play 

Description: Join Pyjama Drama founder, Sarah Owen, and learn two simple drama techniques that will boost children's physical, as well as social and emotional, well-being and change the way you approach play with 3-5-year-olds forever! Even if you have no experience of drama, or consider yourself to be naturally shy, you will be able to master these techniques in no time and use them immediately with the children you work with. What will I learn? How imaginative play supports key areas of learning and development How to create an imaginary world using two Pyjama Drama techniques* How to use these techniques to deliver a Pyjama Drama game to 3-5-year-olds.

Speaker: Sarah Owen, Pyjama Drama Ltd, United Kingdom, Founder.

 

DATE: Friday, 19 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 

TYPE: Best Practice Presentation

TOPIC: Nature, Culture, Adventure: Raising Children with Ecological Identity 

Description: Connection with nature is essential for children’s holistic wellbeing. Raising children with strong ecological identity is also core for the sustainable development of human society. However, in a period where neoliberalism is the dominant theory of education policies and practice, nature-based education is rather marginal in many countries. This presentation is going to explore how practitioners in city nurseries could strengthen children’s ecological identity and boosting their cultural capital by being the co-adventurer of children in ‘city nature’. Case studies of Chinese nursery will be presented.

Speaker: Huan Chen, Early Years International Academy, Founder, Director.

 

DATE: Friday, 19 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Best Practice Presentation

TOPIC: Different Types of Kindergarten Activities to Promote Children’s Development 

Description: Daily activities, group activities and learning area activities together constitute children's daily life in the kindergarten. These different types of activities not only have their own value, but also are related to each other. They form an inseparable whole in children's lives. Teachers should value different types of activities and their experiential connections, so that children can learn in life. This presentation is based on the 3-6 Years Old Children’s Learning and Development Guide published by DfE. Using rich curriculum case studies, I would like to present the implementation of various activities and how they relate to each other, as well as demonstrate how teachers can respond to children's individualized learning needs. Teachers themselves are also experiencing the fun of living and growing together with children in different types of activities, as well as love and care in life.

Speaker: Li Ye, Nanjing Holistic Education Research Institute, China, Director of teaching and Research Department.

 

DATE: Friday, 19 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Workshop

TOPIC: Building Brains with Music 

Description: Repeatedly, research has shown that music is the only activity that utilizes the entire brain. Combining that with knowing that the early years are the ones where we make the most difference, this workshop demonstrates through movement and activity how to use music to build brains. Come get energized about what you do while becoming engaged with stimulating lecture and activities. Mar. will share brain research findings and give you ways to use them that will help in all areas of development while having fun. Make learning enjoyable for you and the children! Objectives 1. Attendees will gain an understanding of the connection between brain research findings and implementing them through music; 2. Participants will feel confident to begin using these strategies immediately; and 3. Attendees will be able to use the information about brain research and music and apply it to curriculum.

Speaker: Maryann (Mar) Harman, Music with Mar.™ program, USA, Founder

 

DATE: Friday, 19 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Case Study

TOPIC: Thriving in a Responsive Classroom 

Description: Providing responsive care and interactions are at the heart of teaching, yet many educators don’t have a clear idea of what that looks like in an early childhood classroom. It is so much more than just “caring for young children and meeting their immediate needs.” Will go deeper and take a closer look at the important role of the educator as they lay the foundation of the young developing brain between birth- 5 years of age. Participants will learn strategies to help manage challenging and disruptive behaviors displayed in their classrooms by gaining a better understanding of what brain states are in action (Survival, Emotional or executive), what the children are trying to communicate through their behaviors while chasing the “why” behind the behavior. How stress can factor into what the educator and the students are experiencing. We will discuss practical strategies to help the educators on a daily basis.  At the end of the training, participants will be able to: Describe brain development and how it impacts behavior in the classroom Identify the different types of stress and their effects on children and adults Explain the importance of self-regulation and creating a mindful classroom.

Speaker: Prerna Richards, Together We Grow, USA, Early Childhood Education Leader, Master Trainer, CEO & Founder.

 

DATE: Friday, 19 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Research Presentation

TOPIC: International Lessons on Children’s Early Development

Description: “If the race is already halfway run even before children begin school, then we clearly need to examine what happens in the earliest years.” (Esping-Andersen, 2005) Panel Discussion: “Professional Development, Quality of Teaching and Child Development in Early Childhood? Findings from a Randomised Controlled Trial of the Leadership for Learning Intervention” “OECD evidence on risk factors and increasing resilience among children in the early years” “Social-emotional skills: the key to building strong early learning”.

Speakers: Iram Siraj, Oxford University, United Kingdom, Professor of Child Development and Education.

Rowena Phair, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), France, Project Leader in the Education and Skills Directorate.

 

DATE: Friday, 19 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Workshop

TOPIC: Lyrics to Literacy: Read a Song and Sing a Book

Description: Join a picture book author and illustrator as she introduces her books-as-songs, sing along and add in American sign language to augment the learning. Debbie Clement will teach several of her most popular songs and dances that were designed with brain research in mind. Participants will be introduced to new and original songs for children that scaffold one verse upon the next. Participants will be introduced to songs with a strong rhyme structure, that helps anticipate ‘what comes next.’ Participants will be engaged in movement songs that unfold in a patterned sequence.

Speaker: Debbie Clement, Rainbows Within Reach, USA, Educator, Author and Illustrator.

 

DATE: Friday, 19 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Workshop

TOPIC: Supporting Social-Emotional Development with Effective Policies and Practices

Description: Evidence clearly identifies social and emotional competence as the early foundation of later development and learning.  What supports are needed to build such competence?  How has Covid-19 created both challenges and opportunities for improvement? During this session participants will hear about policies and practices that are designed to support the social and emotional development for children birth to age five, with an emphasis on the pre-school years.

Speaker: Marilou Hyson, The World Bank, UNICEF, USA, Senior Consultant, Early Childhood Development and Education.

 

DATE: Friday, 19 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Best Practice Presentation

TOPIC: Coding and Computational Thinking: Empowering Early Childhood Educators with Technology

Description: This presentation will guide early childhood teacher educators, teachers and policy makers to use appropriate technological tools. The session will focus on both coding on electronic devices (e.g. Toontastic, ScratchJr.) and robotic devices without screens (e.g. Bee-Bot, KIBO, ThinkFun). The focus of the activities that we will describe encourage students to be active creators of their learning. We will share examples of students using these technology tools and offer suggestions for implementation in early childhood classrooms. The session will include suggestions and resources available for teachers, teacher educators, and students to create a platform to begin using digital tools and evaluate how to select and use digital media.

Speakers: Lynn E. Cohen, Long Island University, USA, Professor in the department of teaching and learning.

Angie Kalthoff, Capstone, Minnesota, USA, Product Manager, Curriculum and Instruction.

 

DATE: Friday, 19 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Workshop

TOPIC: Lessons in the Greatness Chair

Description: In this session you will learn six powers to bring out the greatness in students. Combining elements of the Nurtured Heart Approach, Positive Psychology, Attachment and Polyvagal theory, learn practical fun activities for cutting edge SEL application in the classroom.  Learning Objectives: 1. Learn the importance of relationship versus behavior management 2. Introduction to the six powers of greatness parenting/teaching 3. Understand the importance of adult self-regulation for child self-regulation. 4. Learn how to apply the Greatness Chair in your classroom to build emotionally rich experiences to promote inner strength and resilience.

Speaker: Kathleen Friend, Nurtured Heart Approach, USA, MD Child Psychiatrist, Spiritual Mentor, Author, Speaker and Advanced Trainer.

 

DATE: Friday, 19 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Panel Discussion

TOPIC: Making the Most out of Early Childhood Assessment Practices and Information

Description: In this session, experts in early childhood assessment will discuss the ways in which the process of child assessment is continuous, comprehensive, and integrated into the day-to-day classroom practices. In addition, the presenters will discuss how to use assessment information for purposes that will both inform instruction and be used to benefit children’s learning and development.

Speaker: Dominic F. Gullo, School of Education, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Drexel University, USA, Ph.D., Professor of Early Childhood Education, Director, The McNichol Early Childhood Education Lab.

 

DATE: Friday, 19 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Workshop

TOPIC: Parenting and Teaching Boys: From Frustration to Co-operation and Connection

Description: Navigating screen time, home life, active boy-behavior and big emotions can be challenging. When adults know how most boys naturally communicate and process their experiences, they are able to respond in a more supportive, boy-friendly way. Experience fewer conflicts, more cooperation, and a renewed sense of mutual trust.  Appropriate for all ages and genders.

Speaker: Janet Allison, Boys Alive, USA, Early Childhood Education Expert, Founder.

 

DATE: Friday, 19 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Workshop

TOPIC: Teaching Literacy Through Music and Movement – ‘Zipper Songs’

Description: Using songs as Shared Reading texts, children 3-5 years old learn literacy skills, and have a lot of fun. Zipper songs provide an opportunity for modeled, interactive, or independent writing, depending on the level of the student. Join us to learn some super-fun songs that you and your kids will love and discover new avenues into literacy. Let's sing into reading! In this practical workshop participants will learn: the components of a Balanced Literacy program. what Shared Reading is, and how to teach a Shared Reading text in the classroom over five days. why it is important to sing with children every day. what a zipper song is, how to use a zipper song to facilitate Shared Reading, Modeled Writing, Interactive Writing, Independent Writing (or Drawing), and Illustration as a Comprehension exercise. songs to use in the classroom.

Speaker: Risa Beth Cohen, Sing Into Reading ‘Teach your children to read with music and love’, USA, Creative Director.

 

SATURDAY, 20 NOVEMBER 2021

 

DATE: Saturday, 20 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. 

TYPE: Best Practice Presentation

TOPIC: Building Visual Arts Skills, Knowledge and Confidence and Demonstrating Art Methods and Processes

Description: Research suggests that many educators have little confidence to plan visual arts learning experiences for children. This lack of self-confidence, combined with limited visual arts skills and technical knowledge, often result in children being presented with structured, adult-designed templates to make, rather than being supported to develop meaningful relationships with quality arts materials and processes. This presentation will share video examples and demonstrations of visual arts methods, materials and processes to build the visual arts literacy of early childhood educators. Conference delegates will be pedagogically and creatively inspired to increase their repertoire of visual arts experiences and to position both the child and the educator as co-learners, co-researchers and co-teachers of the arts.

Speakers: Ian Brown, University of Wollongong, NSW Australia, Honorary Professor.

Gai Lindsay, University of Wollongong, Australia, BEd-The Early Years.

 

DATE: Saturday, 20 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. 

TYPE: Best Practice Presentation

TOPIC: Never too Early: Challenging Gender Stereotypes from the Early Years

Description: A root cause of the gender inequalities which persist throughout society, gender stereotypes limit children’s aspirations and outcomes from a young age, feeding children’s understanding of the world and expectations for their place in it. This session will explore how the gender stereotyping which surrounds children in every aspect of their lives finds its way into the school and nursery environment – through language, books, teaching and everyday interactions. The session will help practitioners to recognise stereotyping in their settings and reflect on their crucial role in challenging it. Learning objectives: Participants understand how big a shaping influence gender stereotyping is for children and why it matters; Participants recognise where gender stereotyping might appear in the school or nursery environment; Participants reflect on gender stereotyping and the role they can play in addressing it; Participants take away practical strategies for challenging gender stereotyping through their own practice.

Speakers: Kirsty Ruthven, Lifting Limits, United Kingdom, Head of Education.

Caren Gestetner, Lifting Limits, United Kingdom, Chief Executive and Co-Founder.

 

DATE: Saturday, 20 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. 

TYPE: Workshop

TOPIC: Pedagogical Leadership in Early Childhood Education Settings: Kindergarten Leader as Coach and Mentor

Description: A wide pool of research into what makes a school successful in terms of student outcomes has pointed to the central importance of school leadership (Huber and Muijs 2010). Research has also indicated that a leader who is able to combine both transformational and pedagogical (or instructional) leadership is highly effective in raising standards. However, it is pedagogical leadership which has been identified as having the most significant positive impact (Day and Hammons 2016). Arguably pedagogical leadership has even more relevance in Early Childhood Education (ECE) settings, a critical phase of education where teaching and learning processes – and interactions between teacher and child – lay the foundation for personal, social, emotional, physical and cognitive development. Key aspects of pedagogical (or instructional) leadership are to ensure that teaching and learning is kept in the ‘spotlight’ as a core function of the school, and to provide practical support and guidance to teachers in relation to practice (Rodd 2012). This workshop will address the ‘what’ of pedagogical leadership, and then, in a series of practical activities, look at ‘how’ to support Early Childhood teachers towards quality practice with a focus on ECE leaders as coaches and mentors.

Speaker: Louise Anna Ruskin, United Kingdom, Senior Education Specialist.

 

DATE: Saturday, 20 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. 

TYPE: Workshop

TOPIC: The Forgotten Domain in Child Development: The Physical Domain

Description: This workshop will explore why the physical domain is so important in child development and how it underpins the other four child development domains. Recent research highlighting the connection between brain development and child development will be explored. Additionally, significant time will be spent discussing practical and pedagogical resources for educators which are relevant and applicable to their setting. Several practical examples will be provided. This workshop will encourage educators to think broadly about the physical domain in relation to their setting, their resources, the type of learning experiences offered, vocabulary used in such learning experience, planning and observation relating to the physical domain and the importance of child and educator interactions to promote the physical domain. Globally there are few opportunities to participate in professional learning focusing on the physical domain, thus this workshop will provide an excellent opportunity for all educators.

Speaker: Rachel Jones, School of Education, Early Start, University of Wollongong, Australia, Senior Lecturer Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences & Humanities.

 

DATE: Saturday, 20 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. 

TYPE: Best Practice Presentation

TOPIC: What Our Little Boys Need to be Successful in Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Classes

Description: How preschool teachers can recognize and understand the behaviour of boys in their group through the lens of curiosity and questioning? Learning Objectives: Expose teachers to the idea behind the Boy’s Code and why it is important that they know this; share best practices for the learning style of boys and how to incorporate this practically in the classroom.

Speaker: Kathryne Imabayashi.

 

DATE: Saturday, 20 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Best Practice Presentation

TOPIC: Children’s Social and Emotional Development Beyond the Pandemic

Description: As we progress towards a post-lockdown world, this session brings together global leaders in Early Childhood Education and parents to discuss practical ways in taking forward learning from parental engagement practices over the last year to better support children’s social and emotional learning and development. This informative and interactive workshop includes contributions from both Early Years teachers and parent perspectives, covering: Learning from the highs and lows of family engagement in 2020 Examples of best practice for parental engagement in Early Years Understanding how to implement best practice in early years settings Practical ways to connect classroom and home activities to support children’s social and emotional learning Practical ways to build mutual trust and understanding between parents and schools Lorraine and her guests will also be discussing the exemplar Mouse Club project where schools reported transformed relationships with parents, greater openness and trust, and improved sleeping, eating, behaviour and language development in children.

Speakers: Lorraine Allman, Can-Do Child®,UK, Author, Educator, and International Consultant.

Janet Davies, Parental Engagement Network (PEN), United Kingdom, Managing Director.

 

DATE: Saturday, 20 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Best Practice Presentation

TOPIC: Earth Warriors: Play-Based Activities for 3-7 Year-Olds to Foster Their Love for Nature

Description: Earth Warriors is an early childhood education curriculum that uses play-based learning and a solutions-oriented approach to teach young children (3-7 year olds) about sustainability and climate change. This session will cover why climate and sustainability education is important from a young age and how to teach it in a play-based way. We will dive into climate change education, the benefits of play-based learning and how our activities and lessons work. We hope this session will be an informative, fun and useful time for participants to gain practical knowledge, tips and tools about climate education and apply learnings to their own classroom.

Speakers: Keya Lamba, Earth Warriors Global, United Kingdom, Co-Founder Earth Warriors Global, Early Childhood Education Specialist.

Shweta Bahri, Earth Warriors Global, United Kingdom, Co-Founder, Sustainability & Education Policy Expert.

 

DATE: Saturday, 20 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Research Presentation

TOPIC: How can Music and Movement Promote Learning in a Post-Covid World?

Description: Will learning be any different after Covid-19? What does research say about children’s experiences of lockdown and covid-19? This seminar will look at the latest research on early childhood experiences of Covid-19 and offer some guidance and practical support on how best to support young children to engage in learning using a music and movement philosophy.  The session will provide both practical and theoretical content to inspire young children to become confident learners.

Speaker: Helen Battelley, Birmingham City University (CREC).

 

DATE: Saturday, 20 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Workshop

TOPIC: Multidisciplinary Experience for Children: Nature Sings Through Colours and Shapes

Description: ‘How to explore nature and combine music, movement and land-art with children 5-6 YEARS ' In this multidisciplinary experience, nature is the muse and the source of inspiration. When young children are exposed to nature, they begin to interact with its offerings. In this practical workshop we will explain how to organize an atelier outside, where music and visual art are combined. Observing the land art of Andy Goldsworthy, inspires children to create outside. By doing this, the variety of loose parts encourage them to find and create patterns, explore the concepts of numbers and simple equations and ‘mathematize’ their thinking, using concepts such as colours, shapes, rhythm, movement, friction, tempo, connection, ... Their creations are captured with artistic techniques such as monotypes, frottages.. Meanwhile, they are asked to listen to the sounds around them and move. They will compose their own music inspired by the sounds of nature, using scores of natural material. Creating art in nature evokes joy and wonder but also commitment to the environment. This multidisciplinary experience wants to enable and deepen children’s 21st century skills of creativity, communication and collaboration, with an emphasis on sustainability.

Speakers: Sanne Calluwaerts, Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Art, Belgium, Lecturer, Artistic Pedagogical Coach, Early Childhood Education Department.

Joke Den Haese, Erasmus Brussels University of Applied Sciences and Arts (EhB), Lecturer ART-CULTURAL Education, Early Childhood.

 

DATE: Saturday, 20 November 2021

TIME (GMT): 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Workshop

TOPIC: Director’s Workshop

Description: Captain of the Ship: Sailing your school to success with compassion and strength. Participants in this workshop will learn: How to eliminate certain phrases and words to achieve a successful solution to a problem; enrolment vs registration; leading with kindness vs commands; two breathing techniques to increase energy or calm oneself immediately; how to train children (and adults) to follow instructions without resistance; how to truly find out why or what a child or adult is hiding and what is really going on with them; two highly effective behavior management techniques to introduce to your entire staff; how to improve your closing numbers by connecting with a prospect on an emotional level; how to read and interpret body language to truly understand where a prospect is in their decision making process; two tools to improve time management while getting more done (stack and schedule breakdowns); understanding how Love Languages can transform your relationships with your staff.

Speaker: Ron Shuali, Florida, USA, M.Ed., Early Childhood Consultant, Founder of Yogarate, Author.

 

DATE: Saturday, 20 November 2021

TIME (GMT): 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Panel Discussion

TOPIC: Creating Responsive Programs for Infants, Toddlers and Pre-schoolers: Relationship Based Approaches

Description: The session will explore the premise that loving, consistent relationships foster learning in early childhood settings. From the beginning young children depend and rely on their families and care givers to provide safe and nurturing environments so they can grow and thrive. This session will highlight important approaches that focus on social and emotional development of early learners. The panel will also share research findings that support these approaches and provide participants with engaging examples that bring relationship approaches to life.

Speakers: Calvin Moore, Council for Professional Recognition, USA, CEO, Child Development Associate (CDA).

Michelle L. Brown, Council for Professional Recognition, USA, Executive Vice President, Programs Division.

Amber Jones, CDA Council, USA, Pre-K Lead Teacher.

 

DATE: Saturday, 20 November 2021 TIME (GMT): 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Best Practice Presentation

TOPIC: Early Childhood Music: Creative?

Description: In this presentation, Nicola will discuss creativity and will specifically explore music making in early childhood. Delegates will be invited to consider pedagogical approaches to early childhood music practice and how these approaches may or may not encourage creativity. Nicola will share elements of Musical Development Matters in the Early Years and will demonstrate how delegates can support children’s musicality, creativity and development. The presentation will also introduce delegates to Tune into Listening, her award-winning free resource that shares research findings of an active listening action research project.

Speaker: Nicola Burke, United Kingdom, Early Childhood Music Consultant, Strategic leader, Author, Researcher.

 

DATE: Saturday, 20 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Workshop

TOPIC: To Climb Their Own Mountains: Creativity, Loris Malaguzzi and His Schools

Description: In this workshop, we will unwrap and deconstruct how creativity connects with art and knowledge through an investigation of Loris Malaguzzi’s thinking and pedagogy as expressed through the Pre-Schools of Reggio Emilia, his writing and conversation. Creativity is notoriously hard to pin down to a singular concept or way of seeing. As a process it is hard to define let alone identify processes that we can observe in young children. Malaguzzi and the Infant-Toddler and Pre-Schools of Reggio Emilia offer us a unique perspective to catch a glimpse of creativity in its everyday clothes in our own contexts and situations, not as a special mental faculty of a few, but as a way of knowing that is amplified in relational and social contexts. As artists, educators, teachers, and pedagogical leaders, we can learn how to curate and promote creativity in our own schools, classrooms, and environments when we activate pedagogical listening, reflection and exchange our points of view to energize learning through and between the 100 Languages of Children. Learning Objectives: To understand creativity from the point of view of Loris Malaguzzi ‘as a quality of thought’ that can be revealed in the everyday daily experiences of young children; to explore pedagogical approaches that support and promote creativity inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach®;  to consider ways in which to connect the ‘school of knowing’ with the ‘school of expressing’ through a re-consideration of the 100 Languages.

Speaker: Debi Keyte-Hartland.

 

DATE: Saturday, 20 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Panel Discussion

TOPIC: Active Play Every Day! Physical Activities to Promote Young Children’s Learning and Development

Description: Join the panel to discuss the role of movement in children’s development and the interplay of movement and academic readiness. Gather practical ideas for physical activities that can be enjoyed in small spaces without expensive equipment. Learn how to plan developmentally appropriate movement tasks to meet the needs of young children. Consider ways of structuring the environment to infuse physical activity throughout children’s day and of encouraging families of young children to enjoy physical activities together.

Speakers: Helena Baert, SUNY Cortland, USA, Associate Professor in Physical Education.

Diane H.Craft, State University of New York Cortland, USA, Professor, Physical Education Department.

Jeff Gehris, Temple University, USA, Associate Professor of Kinesiology.

 

DATE: Saturday, 20 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Presentation, Discussion and Workshop

TOPIC: Parents as Partners: Creating Meaningful Engagement to Better Support Children with ASD

Description: This part presentation, part discussion and activity workshop will help participants learn key strategies for meaningful family engagement to better support children who have special needs, in particular those on the autism spectrum. It gives an opportunity to listen and converse with experts and thought leaders who have extensive practical experience working with and supporting educators, families, and children with special needs. It includes: The importance of establishing parents as partners to maximise every child’s learning potential Areas requiring particular attention when supporting families with children on the autism spectrum Practical ways to build mutual trust and understanding between parents and schools.

Speaker: Lorraine Allman, Can-Do Child®,UK, Author, Educator, and International Consultant.

 

DATE: Saturday, 20 November 2021 

TIME (GMT): 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

TYPE: Workshop

TOPIC: Pre-schoolers, Private Parts and Playmates: What’s Typical, What’s Not, and When to Really Worry

Description: Preschoolers are naturally curious about bodies – their friends’ and their own. They also love potty talk and aren’t shy about nudity. When you know what kinds of sexual behaviors in young children are typical and common and how to talk with parents about it, everyone is safer. Learning objectives:  Analyzing the difference between sex play and sexualized play and when to be concerned; identifying and preventing sexual abuse; examination of typical childhood psychological and social sexual development and the common behaviors for each age group; techniques for interacting with children engaging in these behaviors – including scripts; how to evaluate a child's behavior by using a simple behavioral checklist.

Speaker: Amy Lang, Just Say This! Parental Guidance for the Birds & Bees Talks, Sexuality Educator.