presents

An education forum on

Creating Positive Learning Environments for Children 6th, 7th, 8th October 2011 Fort Canning Hotel, Singapore By Wendy Shepherd Director/Lecturer Institute of Early Childhood Mia Mia Child and Family Study Centre Macquarie University, Australia And Janet Robertson Outdoor Teacher/Lecturer Institute of Early Childhood Mia Mia Child and Family Study Centre Macquarie University, Australia

This is the first such opportunity of its kind to interact with the educators of Mia Mia, a purpose built child and family study centre in Australia that has become known nationally and internationally for it’s environment, aesthetics and pedagogical practice.

Photo courtesy EtonHouse Malaysia

Programme Overview and Registration Form [email protected] or +65 6746 3333

Presenters

Page 2

Wendy Shepherd Director/Lecturer Institute of Early Childhood Mia Mia Child and Family Study Centre Macquarie University, Australia

BEd(ECE) Institute of Early Childhood Macquarie University MEd University of Sydney

After graduating as an early childhood teacher, Wendy taught for four years with kindergarten, first and second grade children in a mixed age classroom. She then worked for four years for a large early childhood provider as a Preschool Director and then program adviser working with staff in a range of programs; long day, preschool, before and after school care and mobile preschools. Wendy is also a member of the board of a state community organisation advocating for children and early childhood education and is a member of the Social Justice in Early Childhood advocacy group. Currently and during the past 18 years, Wendy has been working as the Director of Mia Mia, the demonstration centre of the Institute of Early Childhood, Faculty of Human Sciences at Macquarie University. Mia Mia enrolls birth to school age children. Wendy also works as a lecturer in the university’s academic program in the areas of Management, Young Children and the Arts and Health. She has published widely contributing chapters and articles to books and refereed journals, as well as presenting papers at national and international conferences. Wendy also works as an early childhood consultant. When the Institute moved to the Macquarie University campus sixteen years ago Mia Mia, a purpose built, long day centre, was constructed. Wendy was involved in the designing and planning of this new facility; the physical environment, recruitment of staff, and creating the management and operational structure, philosophy, policies and program. As part of the development of the program, professional development became a core expectation for staff and to this end mentoring, action research and collaboration are part of the teaching team’s ethos and practice and underpin, along with current educational and social theory, Mia Mia’s philosophy and pedagogy. Mia Mia Child and Family Study Centre has become known nationally and internationally for it’s environment, aesthetics and pedagogical practice. The Mia Mia series of educational videos have been successful tools in the training of early childhood teachers around the world. The latest edition addresses the development of positive environments in the early years of school.

Creating Positive Learning Environments 6-8th October, Hotel Fort Canning Singapore

Presenters

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Janet Robertson Lecturer/Outdoor Teacher Institute of Early Childhood Mia Mia Child and Family Study Centre Macquarie University, Australia

M.ECh Janet is the outdoor teacher at Mia Mia. She has an interest in environments for young children and the notion of 'dwelling' within places as both a longing and belonging. Her interest in spaces and places stems from 1991, the beginning of her engagement with the Educational Project of Reggio Emilia. The pedagogy of listening to the place, the space and the land is a focus on her work at the moment. Janet is a co-editor and author of Insights: Behind Pedagogical Documentation, Pademelon Press 2006.

Photo courtesy EtonHouse Malaysia

Creating Positive Learning Environments 6-8th October, Hotel Fort Canning Singapore

Programme

Page 4 Programme 6-8th October 2011 Legends Ballroom, Hotel Fort Canning

Thursday, 6th October, 2011 There will be opportunities available throughout the programme for dialogue, interactions and hands-on small group experiences.

3:30 PM

Registration

4:00 PM

Refreshments and networking

5:30 PM

Start of the evening session

 

Welcome address Evening session dialogue and provocation

Rethinking environments for children… How possible is it to think about the lives that children lead and then think about spaces that will invite, intrigue and delight and promote curiosity, problem solving and most importantly relationships? Let us consider the design of and opportunity for these learning spaces to reflect more authentically the setting’s context and the diversity within the community, the families and the people who work, play and relate in these spaces.

7:30 PM

Close of the evening session

Photo courtesy EtonHouse Vanda Singapore

Creating Positive Learning Environments 6-8th October, Hotel Fort Canning Singapore

Programme

Page 5 Programme 6-8th October 2011 Legends Ballroom, Hotel Fort Canning Friday, 7th October, 2011

There will be opportunities available throughout the programme for dialogue, interactions and hands-on small group experiences.

9 AM

The environment and the messages they convey

10:30 PM

Tea Break

11:00 AM

The Forest schools 9 AM

12:30 PM

Title of the morning session

Lunch 10:30 PM

Tea Break

1:30 PM

How do children learn and do our environments respond? 11:00 AM Title

3:30 PM

12:30 PM Lunch Tea Break 1:30 PM

Title of the afternoon session

4 PM

Thinking outside 3:30 PM Tea Break

5:30

Closing 4 PM

5:30

Title of session

Closing

Photo courtesy EtonHouse 718 Mountbatten Road, Singapore

Creating Positive Learning Environments 6-8th October, Hotel Fort Canning Singapore

Programme

Page 6 Programme 6-8th October 2011 Legends Ballroom, Hotel Fort Canning Saturday, 8th October, 2011

There will be opportunities available throughout the programme for dialogue, interactions and hands-on small group experiences.

9 a.m.

Curriculum, philosophy and environments: looking beyond our own experiences

10:30 a.m.

Tea break

11:00 a.m.

Forum - Panel discussion from an Asian perspective Presented by early childhood practitioners from the region 9 AM

12:30 p.m.

Title of the morning session

Lunch 10:30 PM

Tea Break

1:30 p.m.

What is it you are thinking now? The future is in your hands 11:00 AM Title

3:30 p.m.

12:30 PM Lunch Tea break 1:30 PM Title of the afternoon session

4 p.m.

of theBreak forum 3:30Closing PM Tea

4 PM

Title of session

5:30

Closing

Photo courtesy EtonHouse Malaysia

Creating Positive Learning Environments 6-8th October, Hotel Fort Canning Singapore

Registration Form

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Creating Positive Learning Experiences 6th-8th of October 2011 Legends Ballroom, Hotel Fort Canning 11 Canning Walk Singapore 178881 t. +65 6559 6770 f. +65 6334 7873 Part A: Details of Applicant

Surname:………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Given Name: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. (Please print clearly and indicate preferred name to appear on the name card.)

Singapore NRIC/FIN no. ……………………………Passport number (for overseas participants)…………………………………..

Name of Centre /Organisation: ……………………………………………Position:……………………………………………………..

Registering as part of a group (3 or more):

□ Yes

□ No

Mailing Address: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Tel:……………………………………………………………………….Email:………………………………………………………….. Please tick below the closest match to your current place of employment: Child care

Kindergarten

Training Agency

International school

Ministry/Government

Lecturer

Playgroup Student

Student care Parent

Others, pl. specify…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Creating Positive Learning Environments 6-8th October, Hotel Fort Canning Singapore

Registration Form

Page 8

Creating Positive Learning Experiences 6th-8th of October 2011 Legends Ballroom, Hotel Fort Canning 11 Canning Walk Singapore 178881 t. +65 6559 6770 f. +65 6334 7873 Part B: Registration Fees

Category

Date of Registration

Fee

EtonHouse Educators

Before 31st August 2011

SGD 350

EEC Alumni*

Before 31st August 2011

SGD 350

Early Bird Registration (Singapore)

Before 31st August 2011

SGD 390

Early Bird Registration (Overseas)

Before 31st August 2011

SGD 410

Late Registration

After 31st August 2011

SGD 450

For group registrations of 3 or above from the same centre, there is a special discount of 5% on the registration fees. *To register and read more about the EEC Alumni, please refer to the attachment titled ‘EEC Alumni’ Please specify if you have any dietary restrictions: …………………………………………………………… (Please note that we will try to accommodate your dietary requests based on the catering arrangements with the hotel. There may be an additional charge for special meal requests.)

Creating Positive Learning Environments 6-8th October, Hotel Fort Canning Singapore

Registration Form

Page 9

Creating Positive Learning Experiences 6th-8th of October 2011 Legends Ballroom, Hotel Fort Canning 11 Canning Walk Singapore 178881 t. +65 6559 6770 f. +65 6334 7873 Part B: Method of Payment By Bank Draft/Cheque in Singapore Dollars drawn on a bank in Singapore and made payable to “EtonHouse Education Centre Pte. Ltd.”.

□ Cheque Bank Draft/Cheque No: ……………………………………………. Issuing bank ………………………………………………….

□ Telegraphic Transfer to Company Name : EtonHouse Education Centre Pte Ltd Bank Name : United Overseas Bank Ltd Swift No : UOVBSGSG Account No : 375-300-828-2 Bank/Branch code: 7375-059 Branch : UOB Upper Bukit Timah Address : 148 Upper Bukit Timah Road Singapore (588178) Please send the Registration Form together with Bank Draft/ Cheque payable to “EtonHouse Education Centre Pte. Ltd.” to EtonHouse Education Centre Pte. Ltd. 178 Clemenceau Avenue #06-00 Haw Par Glass Tower, Singapore 239926 Ph: +6567463333 │ Fax: +6567460332 OR e-mail the registration form if you are making a wire transfer along with details of the wire transfer to [email protected] Please indicate if you are registering as a part of a group of 3 or more to avail the 5% discount on the registration fee. Your registration incorporates 2.5 days of conference attendance. Registration is on a first-come-first served basis on receipt of payment. There will be no refund of payment made for the conference registration fee. However, requests for refunds may be considered on a case by case basis. For further details, contact Juliana at [email protected] or +65 6746 3333

Creating Positive Learning Environments 6-8th October, Hotel Fort Canning Singapore

Venue Details

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Hotel Fort Canning has offered a special discounted rate of $300 nett per room night (published rate $520 ++) for the participants of this conference. To make reservations, please e-mail [email protected] and indicate your participation at the conference to access the discounted rate. For more details on the hotel, please logo on to http://www.hfcsingapore.com/

Creating Positive Learning Environments 6-8th October, Hotel Fort Canning Singapore