In the Footsteps of Giants

The three great ‘early years pioneers’ – Frederick Froebel, Rudolf Steiner and Maria Montessori – all believed in play-based kindergarten education and care for three- to seven-year-olds, and the developmentally-appropriate systems they devised were underpinned by many of the same important pedagogical principles.

To follow up last year’s hugely successful conference on ‘Working Together for Early Years’, Upstart is proud to bring to Scotland three international experts on the three ‘giants of early years’ to discuss what really matters in play-based pedagogy. They’ll be joined by a home-grown expert from Fife’s ‘Secret Garden’ to describe 21st century outdoor kindergarten pedagogy and by workshop-leaders from around the country who are putting these principles into practice in their own settings for the under-sevens.

We look forward to welcoming you to Edinburgh for this star-studded line-up of people who are working together for early years – and helping us all to tread with growing confidence in the footsteps of giants.

Programme

9.30 Registration and choice of workshop

10.00 Introduction: Sue Palmer, Chair of Upstart Scotland

10.10 Marjorie Ouvry: Are you a Froebelian? How relevant are the ideas of Friederich Froebel to our work today?

10.50 Janni Nicol: Steiner Early Childhood – Preparation for Life

11.30 Coffee

11.50 Barbara Isaacs: Montessori pedagogy and its relevance to 21st century children and their families

12.30 Sarah Latto: Outdoor kindergarten: Presence; Nature; Play

1.10 Lunch

2.30 Choice of workshops led by practitioners with backgrounds in the

following pedagogical traditions:

Froebel, Steiner, Montessori, Reggio Emilia and outdoor learning. Details to follow.

3.30 Panel discussion and Q&A

4.15 Close