Perth Network Meeting - March 2022

Date: Tuesday 1 March 2022

Time: 6.00pm - 7.00pm (AWST)

Venue: Online

Category: WA Network

Registrations have now closed

Program Description

2022 Connections Project

“The early childhood services of Reggio Emilia… offer us an understanding of the school as…a place of encounter, interaction and connections among citizens in a community, a place where relationships combine a profound respect for otherness and difference with a deep sense of responsibility for the other, a place of profound interdependency.” Rinaldi (2006, p.8)

The concept of connection is a thread that permeates and unifies the principles from the educational project of Reggio Emilia. An exploration of ‘connection’ invites consideration of relationality, reciprocity, community, participation and interdependence. Amid a global pandemic and escalating social and environmental crises, an emphasis on connection has never felt more pertinent: human, ecological, cultural, spiritual, environmental…

Over 2022, the REAIE Perth Network will use the conceptual thread of ‘connection’ to guide our collective research with children. As we learn alongside one another and research the concept of connection in diverse ways, we will also delve deeper into the principle of pedagogical documentation from the Reggio Emilia Approach.

We warmly welcome both new and existing members of the REAIE Perth Network to join us for this exciting project, as we explore some of the following research questions, and more. This project will suit educators from all settings and/or familiarity with the principles and values of the educational project of Reggio Emilia.

What connections do children, and adults, encounter in their daily lives? How might we come to better understand the connections sought by children, and us all? 

How might we respond to children’s search for meaning and connection?

For educators working with mandated curricula, how can we support meaningful connections between children’s research and expected standards?

How might pedagogical documentation strengthen connections?

Term 1 Network Meeting: Tuesday 1 March – 6pm – 7pm (AWST) – Online

Given current COVID rules, we commence our 2022 Connections Project by joining together virtually for professional dialogue. In this conversation, we will begin to unpack the potential of the conceptual thread of connection and will consider ways to engage in this research with children. Sarah Terace (nee Briotti) will briefly share stories of the early days of this research project at Como Children.

In readiness for our meeting, please view the photographic provocations at the following link, and consider which image stands out as personally significant when you consider the concept of ‘connection’: https://padlet.com/rduncan12/Connect

Term 2 Network Meeting: Date TBC

An opportunity to focus on the role of documentation within progettazione (learning design). We intend to delve deeper into how to select and sustain a project, guided by a shared conceptual focus. COVID rules permitting, we will meet in person at a renowned centre that is influenced by the educational project of Reggio Emilia, including an opportunity to tour this inspiring space. Here, we will explore how a shared, conceptual focus might serve as a lens and compass for documentation and progettazione.

Term 2 Sharing Circle (Optional): Tuesday 14 June – 6:30pm – 8pm (AWST)

Share your research and documentation of the Connections Project. Bring along your questions, ideas, concerns and challenges. This is an opportunity for dialogue, sharing and celebration.

Term 3 Network Meeting: Date TBC

A deeper exploration of the Reggio Emilia principle of pedagogical documentation, as we consider the connections it supports within our settings and beyond. There will be an opportunity to learn from one of the presenters at the 2022 REAIE Research Symposium, and to engage in dialogue about the key ideas in this presentation. COVID rules permitting, we will meet in person at a renowned centre that is influenced by the educational project of Reggio Emilia, with an opportunity to tour this inspiring space.

Term 3 Sharing Circle (Optional): Tuesday 13 September – 6:30pm – 8pm (AWST)

Share your research and documentation of the Connections Project. Bring along your questions, ideas, concerns and challenges. This is an opportunity for dialogue, sharing and celebration.

Term 4 Network Meeting: Tuesday 25 October – 6:30pm – 8pm (AWST)

We invite everyone to share their journeys with ‘connections’ and pedagogical documentation this year, as we celebrate the culmination of this project and reflect on our collective research.