Landscapes of Context and Connection - Melbourne/Naarm

Registrations have now closed

Program Description

Landscapes of Context and Connection

Exploring the intersections between the Approved Frameworks and the Educational Principles of Reggio Emilia in the Australian educational context.

“The ‘Reggio Approach’ in other parts of the world, outside Reggio Emilia only makes sense if we are capable of re-inventing it, if we are capable of understanding the context we work in, the values in which each culture believes, and then compare these with what Reggio has been capable of creating in its own specific context, and with its own resources.” Howard Gardner 2012

For more than 20 years educators in Australia have been engaging with the educational principles of Reggio Emilia. These principles have inspired innovative practice and undoubtedly shaped what we have come to understand as quality early childhood education and care. The arrival of the updated EYLF (2022 v2.0) in 2023 has once again invited educators informed by the educational principles of Reggio Emilia, an opportunity to absorb and make connections as they co-design dynamic learning contexts.

This workshop will provide educators with a participatory opportunity to navigate the updated EYLF in direct relationship with the educational principles of Reggio Emilia. Identifying connections and synergies between the inspirations of these fundamental approaches will offer the confidence of compliance and the autonomy to research.

REAIE is pleased to present this unique professional learning opportunity led by pedagogical experts in both the education principles of Reggio Emilia and the expectation of the updated EYLF. Participants can expect an interactive opportunity to develop a stronger understanding of the interconnectivity between the EYLF V2.0 and the educational principles of Reggio Emilia.

Understanding Goals

For participants to:

• – Develop a stronger understanding of the interconnectivity between the EYLF V2.0 and the educational principles of Reggio Emilia.
• – Progress a shared understanding of ways the educational principles of Reggio Emilia can be enacted in the Australian early childhood education and care context.
• – Build practice confidence as they explore the educational principles of Reggio Emilia and engage with the EYLF V2.0.

Participants are required to bring a copy of the updated EYLF or a device to view the EYLF.

https://www.acecqa.gov.au/nqf/national-law-regulations/approved-learning-frameworks

ABOUT THE PRESENTERS:

Catharine Hydon

Director Hydon Consulting

Qualifications: Dip Teaching (Early Childhood) MEd (Early Childhood Education) Dip. Gov

With over 30 years experience leading and advocating for quality early childhood education and care, Catharine Hydon’s work, as the Principal Consultant and Director at Hydon Consulting, focuses on supporting professionals to explore the relationship between theory and practice.

Catharine’s collaborative approach and engaging style has taken her all over Australia to think alongside leaders and educators in a collective effort to create meaning, define quality and engage in the art of transformational change.

Cultivating professional dialogue that responds to complexity and invites deep reflection is central to Catharine’s work and is informed by a Masters in early childhood education specialising in practice and governance.

Amongst other pursuits, Catharine is a long-time member of Early Childhood Australia (ECA), an active contributor to ECA’s Reconciliation work and a regular contributor to ECA publications. Catharine has been a member of the ECA Code of Ethics working group for the last two reviews and is a co-author of ECA’s Ethics in Action Implementation guide. In addition, Catharine is a Board Member of the Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority, has been appointed as a second-tier reviewer for ACECQA and has recently completed two years on the Reggio Emilia Australia Information Exchange Committee.

In 2022 Catharine completed a Diploma of Governance, deepening her interest and understanding of effective governance and leadership that support outcomes for children and whole communities.

Leanne Mits

Qualifications: Bach Education (Early Childhood and Primary) MEd (Early Childhood Education Leadership)

Leanne is an experienced, practising Early Childhood Teacher and an advocate for children, families, educators and education. She has 40 years teaching experience in regional Victoria and Melbourne, in a range of settings, including long day care, community kindergarten, TAFE and playgroups. Voluntarily, Leanne is a longstanding Reggio Emilia Australian Information Exchange (REAIE) Committee member, fulfilling the role of national secretary, co-convenor of the Hundred Languages of Children Exhibition, and co-leader of REAIE Study Tours to Reggio Emilia and New Zealand. Leanne has contributed to REAIE Challenge publications, and a range of professional learning events and webinars. Leanne is co-convenor of a regional early childhood network group, an Early Childhood Australia (ECA) Victorian Committee member, co-convenor of an ECA Special Interest Group on Reconciliation and an active participant and contributor to ECA’s Reconciliation work. Leanne is currently working on a research project with university academics about digital play and in 2019 was awarded Victorian Early Childhood Teacher of the Year. Leanne has worked with the principals of Reggio Emilia for over 2 decades. Her teaching and learning is anchored in learning through relationships, collaboration and participation, and using documentation as a tool for listening, research and professional learning.