A powerful exploration of inclusion and belonging through a Froebelian lens, focusing on seeing each child for who they truly are.
Catriona Gill presented Seeing, Unfolding and Flourishing: A Froebelian Approach to Inclusion and Belonging at Gifts for our Future 14: Being and Belonging Conference in Edinburgh on 8th November 2025. The event was hosted by the Edinburgh Froebel Network and the Froebel Trust.
As our settings becomes increasingly diverse and the needs of our children increase, this keynote explores the ways a Froebelian approach can help us to deeply see each child for who they are. Catriona explores how Froebel’s principles and his ideas on unfolding, can ensure that every child flourishes and feels seen, heard and valued as an essential “member of humanity.” (Froebel in Brehony, 2001:16-17).
About Catriona Gill
Catriona Gill is an Education Officer (Early Years) at Education Scotland, supporting quality and improvement in early childhood education (ages 0–8). She is also an Associate Tutor on the Froebel in Childhood Practice course at the University of Edinburgh, a committee member of the Edinburgh Froebel Network, and a Trustee of the Froebel Trust. From 2016 to 2021, she was Head Teacher at Greengables Nursery School and Family Centre in Edinburgh, a setting grounded in Froebelian pedagogy. Catriona contributed to The Bloomsbury Handbook to Friedrich Froebel (2023) and the award-winning Putting Storytelling at the Heart of Early Childhood Practice (2020). With a background in psychology, theatre, and person-centred counselling, she is currently undertaking a part-time Doctorate of Education at the University of Strathclyde.
