‘A Vine as a metaphor for relationship’, will detail the growth of encounters with metaphors as a powerful learning tool. Ruth Mules, (Educational Leader at Wee Care Kindergarten), Colette Bonner, (Educator and Student Teacher), Ruth Weinstein, (owner of Wee Care Kindergarten), and Michelle Ng, (Early Childhood teacher at Mia Mia), came together as a community of learners that included Children, educators, and a critical friend. Their presentation will share their processes of observation, documentation, and interpretation as they engaged in their research.
Kerrie O’Neill has had over 30 years of experience in the Early Childhood Sector in Australia. She spent over 25 years working with children and families before becoming an Early Childhood Consultant. In 2021, Kerrie O’Neill worked with the team at Kincoppal-Rose Bay Early Learning Centre on behalf of REAIE as a research mentor.
Nicole Johnson is currently the Leader of Early Learning at Kincoppal-Rose Bay Early Learning Centre which is part of a P-12 Independent School in Sydney.
This presentation is grounded in the historic and contemporary values and principles of the educational project of Reggio Emilia that were explored during this co-research. The research and documentation context is Sydney, Australia and the research narratives will be co-presented by Kerrie and Nicole.
Kirsty Piendl is an Early Childhood Teacher, having worked in Early Childhood for 10 years.
Deb Garrett is an early childhood and primary teacher-researcher, consultant and academic.
Deb and Kirsty believe that If we truly listen sensitively to children, and consider their wonderings and research questions about their world, the possibilities can be endless. Their presentation will share their progettazione that began with the addition of a flagpole in their environment. Deb and Kirsty will relate their journey that extended through the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the possibilities and challenges they encountered, including how they discovered ways to share their documentation with children, educators and parents.
The Reggio Emilia Australia Information Exchange (REAIE) is a not-for-profit, voluntary organisation and an invited representative of the Reggio Children International Network (Italy). REAIE engages in collaboration, research and dialogue through the exchange of information between Australia and the educators in the city of Reggio Emilia.
REAIE does not own or operate any education services or agencies for children.
REAIE acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this nation and their continuing connection to country and culture. Our meetings and events take place on ancestral lands and nearby waterways. We pay our respects to the Elders and educators of each nation, past, present and emerging.
© 2021 Reggio Emilia Australia Information Exchange