A few skiing photos for Annika & Niki!

More to share from Norway!

It is hard to describe the joy of being in such a beautiful environment. The children were so at ease in the environment, whether they were walking or skiing. No poles allowed, for children or adults as this is the method used to ensure that children develop strong balance - and they did.... 

Initially feeling a little tentative without those ski poles!

Oh this is fun, memories of my cross country adventures in Scotland come to mind!

Oh this is sooooo very beautiful, just to be here is enough.

 

The children explore and experiment, trying out all the possibilities, here turning the ski into a snow board - and off they go!

It is now home time, everyone responsible for their own gear. Each child trusted and valued in this place, taking responsibility for their own gear. Each one resourceful and resilient in their own right. A powerful place to learn.

Just to share a little of my fun in Norway!

The fun of creating a snow angel.

I have done this before, but this experience is quite different.

The depth of this snow angel has to be seen to be believed!

Children in Norway are viewed as capable and competent. I visited settings where children spent all year learning in the outdoors. These were powerful four year old children strongly connected to their environment, resourceful and resilient in their place. Although I cannot show many images of children I will share images of myself being playful in this environment with children and I am sure it will give you a clear vision of the joy, laughter and learning that was so evident in this place.

Time to bury our visitor!

Three boys join in the excitement. I try hard to return the snow.

Success is close!

The pleasure and joy of the experience is wonderful.

Time for more snow battles, so I head for Claire!

Claire soon returns the favour!

This sledging is great fun with a crowd.

It is also alot of fun by yourself

I have many more photos to share of this wonderful experience (some of them can be viewed here: http://educationalleadershipproject.blogspot.com).  I hope the notion that young children in Norway can spend their early years outside through all weather (rain, snow, sleet and sun), will challenge some to think about the indoor prisons some have created for small children. Norway acknowledges the powerful space that nature provides for learning, some of the ideas they discussed with us included the following:

• That education in mathematics and science is based on phenomena in nature
• That education in languages is based on phenomena in nature
• Therefore we must take children outside to engage in these experiences, to learn and to feel.
• They shared a wonderful experience of what children can potentially learn from observing an anthill closely, it was filled with rich deep learning opportunities.
• They talked passionately about the possibilities for learning in an outdoor kindergarten. To build curious children, who will develop social competence through co-operation. Children who can concentrate and engage in challenging concepts and content in the outdoors.

WHAT FABULOUS OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES ARE YOUR CHILDREN ENGAGED IN?

An opportunity to speak on the Sunshine Coast, Australia

This month I was given an opportunity to speak at the C & K Conference on the Sunshine Coast in Australia. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and also to connect with old friends from New Zealand as well.

One of the highlights of the conference was listening to a teacher talk about one of their volunteers. His name is Ty Belnap and he has been volunteering in the kindergarten for 8 years. This is just one of his contributions to his community. At the conference Ty was given an award for his contribution to the kindergarten. As a person with Down Syndrome his contribution to the life of the early childhood setting is considerable, Kendall Storti, who is the Director of the Caloundra Community Kindergarten, where this award was presented at the C&K Association State Conference had this to say after the conference... "It was a great morning, we were so glad Ty enjoyed it! I had so many people come up to me afterwards with so many positive comments and a lot from people who have a child with a disability and how Ty had shown them what you can do!! and all were so impressed with Ty!! Once again he has touched the lives of so many, they tell me there weren't very many dry eyes in the lecture theatre".
You can view the news article about Ty on the following link-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDqV2e1ToIcu

Another highlight was listening to the other keynote speaker, Antony Semann. His keynote was focussed on 'courage'. This is a disposition that is deeply embedded in our Curriculum Te Whariki. He gave all of us plenty of food for thought around what this might look like in an early childhood setting.

Learning Stories in London

 

This is a photo of the out of town facilitators at the Brent Conferences in London on the 11th and 12th February this year.
From the left
Nicola Eggbeer and Suzanne Taylor from the Hungerford Nursery School Centre for Children and Families. These two presented a workshop at both conferences entitled ‘A path of shared discovery’.  At this workshop they explored the risks, trials and tribulations and the discoveries, joy and celebrations of learning stories and how they have begun to make this approach work in their setting. This setting has been on this path with learning stories following work with Jo Colbert and Alison Brierley last year.
Continuing with the photograph is me then Paddy Beels from the Wingate Community Nursery. Paddy has been involved with professional learning from NZ via myself, Margaret Carr and Karen Ramsey over several years. Her workshop was entitled ‘Meaningful Assessment through learning stories’. Paddy explored the purpose and benefits of assessment through learning stories. She looked at the importance of sharing learning stories between setting and home with families and identified the ways in which they support adults’ understanding of children’s play.
Veronica Lawrence, a Specialist Senior Psychologist for Early years is the next person in the photograph, her workshop was focussed on how experience shapes the development of babies brains. Next to Veronica is Jane Stewart the Conference Organiser and Training Co-ordinator for the Brent Integrated and Extended Services. The last person in the photograph is Cathy Reding from Sightlines. Over the two days Cathy ran two workhops, one focussed on musicality and the other on engaging in the outdoor environment.
Two people who are not in the picture are Ginna Goody from Fawood Children’s Centre and Sheng Nan Tang from College Green Nursery School. Gina Goody has previously been involved in workshops run by myself and and Karen Ramsey and Sheng Nan Tang is a Graduate of the University of Waikato! Their workshop was entitled ‘The story so far: Learning Stories in Brent’ explored the way that settings in Brent have been using learning stories and how practitioners have shaped this, including the challenges and benefits of
this approach.
People from the University of Hertfordshire also presented at the conference. Their workshop was entitled ‘Learning stories from colleagues’. The workshop for EYFS leaders, early years professionals and senior practitioners focussed on sharing the learning of fellow professionals.

My love goes out to all in Christchurch

TV 3 News photograph

It is hard to imagine what it must of been like the moment this earthquake struck so violently for a second time in the city of Christchurch. The people of Christchurch has experienced more than 4000 aftershocks prior to this event. I have been both saddened and shocked by this. My heart goes out to everyone involved.

I am also astounded by the courage of so many. Already the early childhood convention group have indicated that they want the Early Childhood Convention to be held in April. Just saw this on the Convention website ..."Christchurch Earthquake Announcement  updated 25 Feb 3.30pm Early Bird registrations were due to close on Monday 28 Feb and have been extended to Wednesday 2 March, however there will be delays in processing so your patience is appreciated.  Please be reassured that the Convention is expected to go ahead as planned and we will provide an update on Wednesday 2 March.  We look forward to welcoming you."
Very amazing.

I have also been so heartened by the incredible acts of kindness that have overtaken the city as friends, neighbours and members of the wider Christchurch community move to support their fellow citizens. Constant events of fabulous acts of kindness that are lifting the spirits of the people of Christchurch. Christchurch you are fantastic!

The ELP team has put up a heartfelt blog on our website. Click here to access here

Farewell Jean

 

What a day today has been. My friend and colleague Jean died. It seems extraordinary that more than a decade has passed since she was first diagnosed with cancer, there is no doubt she was a remarkable and courageous woman with such determination! She was also a powerful advocate for children and their families. Although we knew Jean was on borrowed time, the finality of death comes as such a shock. For those of you who know Jean, I have put a farewell to her on our website, this is the link if you would like to see it.

http://educationalleadershipproject.blogspot.com/2011/01/goodbye-jean.html

To think I thought my fish was big!!!

This is a Giant Catfish that Tim caught in Spain. Dave and Tim had a couple of days fishing and caught three of these monsters. This fish was the biggest ever caught on the boat that Tim and Dave went on, so the Guide was pretty chuffed as well!

Can you believe the size of this fish, Tim said it was like something out of GhostBusters!