Next month, early years professionals and all those working with young children are invited to join Nursery World as they put on the UK’s largest early years festival, Big Day Out at Business Design Centre, London.
During the event taking place on 16th May, delegates will have the chance to learn more about a Froebelian approach to early years education.
Hear from some of the Froebel Trust Travelling Tutors as they deliver the following sessions throughout the day:
Join Julia Manning-Morton, winner of Nursery World’s 2024 Best Professional Book, as she delivers a keynote speech on ‘Developing a Holistic Pedagogy for Babies, Toddlers and 2-year-olds'. Julia will be presenting on the Inspiring Practice Stage 0-2s at 9.30am.
In this video, Julia speaks about being at Nursery World's Big Day Out:
Julia will also be part of a panel introducing the Pikler approach, with opportunities for audience questions and discussion. This will follow Julia's keynote speech on the Inspiring Practice Stage.
At 2.15pm, you can join Julia for a workshop on treasure baskets and heuristic play, as developed by Elinor Goldschmied.
At 10.20am, Dr Stella Louis, Winner of Nursery World’s 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award and Trainer of the Year Award, will take to the Inspiring Practice Stage. Stella will explore how play helps babies and young children to understand and make sense of what they have been learning in ideas, feelings, relationships and realise what they know and understand, and make connections.
Froebel observed the importance of play in early childhood development. He understood that children learn things through their senses, movements and their interactions with the environment, people in their families, and community. In order for children to use what they have seen or heard, they have to make it part of themselves. They also have to put it together and understand it in some way. That's why they need play to coordinate their learning.
Stella will also chair a panel discussion on the SEND stage, ‘What Does Inclusive Practice Mean Today? Strategies and Tips Rooted in Embedding Inclusion Into Your Culture and Environment'.
Read the Froebel Trust Pamphlet on Supporting Children with Additional Needs.
For practical tips on putting Froebelian principles in to practice, delegates will have the chance to get creative with the Froebel Trust in ‘Wow! Look What I Made – Weaving in So Many Ways!’ taking place in The Workshop Hub: Create at 11.30am.
Here, you can join Froebel Trust Travelling Tutors, Beverley Dickinson and Paula Lester as they demonstrate a variety of weaving techniques using different materials. You will leave this workshop with a range of ideas to enrich your environment and seamlessly weave into your early years’ curriculum. From natural materials to hoops, cards, and other creative resources, you’ll explore the many possibilities that weaving offers.
Rooted in Froebelian principles, this workshop will provide hands-on experience and reflection on how weaving can offer deep engagement and imagination. Find out more about sewing and weaving.
During the afternoon sessions you’ll have the chance to again hear from Paula Lester, this time on Outdoor Play: Priorities, Provision and Practice at 4.10pm on The Environment Stage.
In this session, Paula will be part of a panel, covering ideas from key research and how that can be used to influence best practice in supporting outdoor learning in the early years. You’ll also learn about a range of benefits of accessing outdoor learning opportunities and compare these with indoor environments.
Dr Sacha Powell, Froebel Trust CEO was invited to be a member of the advisory board for the event, helping to share the Trust’s connections and knowledge of the early years sector and its representation through the show.
Sacha says: "In the year that Nursery World magazine celebrates its 100th anniversary of informing and representing the early childhood education and care sector, the Froebel Trust is delighted to be part of the Big Day Out. The Froebel Trust continues to inspire and support educators by demonstrating how Froebelian education is just as relevant today as it was when the Froebel Society was founded in England 150 years ago."
In the year that Nursery World magazine celebrates its 100th anniversary of informing and representing the early childhood education and care sector, the Froebel Trust is delighted to be part of the Big Day Out. The Froebel Trust continues to inspire and support educators by demonstrating how Froebelian education is just as relevant today as it was when the Froebel Society was founded in England 150 years ago.
