Engaging with a Vibrant Community of Learners

177 College Avenue,Medford MA 02155

05 November, 2022

Description

Eliot-Pearson Children's School & Department of Child Study & Human Development at Tufts University - Hybrid Event The forum is intended for professionals from the early education and care workforce, including ECE educators, trainers, consultants, faculty in higher education, ECE resource and referral staff, family workers, advocates, providers, and other child serving professionals and supportive staff.There will be a Special screening and discussion of film, “Reflecting on Anti-bias Education in Action: The Early Years” with Producer, Debbie LeeKeenan*Click here for panelist's bios*Program Schedule: Saturday, November 5, 2022(hybrid access will be available for those not on site)8:00 – 9:00 Registration and Breakfast 9:00 – 9:30 Welcome & Opening Remarks – Jayanthi Mistry/Hanna Gebretensae 10:00 - 11:15am Interactive Panel Discussions: Anti-Bias and Inclusive Education Mindful Being and PracticeChild Nature Connection: On Children Becoming Earth Stewards 11:15 - 11:30am Break 11:30 - 12:30pm Break Out Group Discussions (facilitated by panelist) 12:30- 1:00 pm Debrief 1: 00 - 2:00 pm. Lunch (provided) 2:00 - 3:30 Open to all: Special screening and discussion of film,“Reflecting on Anti-bias Education in Action: The Early Years” with Producer, Debbie LeeKeenan *Click Here to Watch Trailer* Interactive Panel Discussions Anti-bias and Inclusive Education Changing demographics, shifts in social views, polarizing political issues, all present challenges and complexities to us as professionals and families interested in social justice education. This discussion forum will explore how anti-bias and inclusive education is an approach that places diversity and equity goals at the heart of everything we do in early childhood. It provides a framework for hands-on, social justice-oriented pedagogy with young children, grounded in critical reflection and activism. Identity, Diversity, Justice and Action are the four interconnected goals of anti-bias education, which build on each other and are relevant to all children and adults. The panel will bring particular expertise and experience on specific areas of social identity including gender, race, dis/ability and language. What are the critical issues you see in anti-bias education? How does intersectionality inform what you think and do in education? How do you deal with pushback and resistance? Mindful Being and Practice The word “mindfulness” has gotten so much attention in recent years and has been incorporated in many schools and worksites. There seems to be a general understanding that, just like activities such as healthy eating, sleep hygiene and exercise, mindfulness seems to have a good effect on your well-being. More and more people are trying to add it onto a long list of things to do. Could we take this moment to reflect on our own mindful being and practice? What does it mean to set up environments through the lenses of mindfulness? What does it mean to parent mindfully? What does it mean to teach mindfully? Through our time together, let us practice simply being, rather than doing, doing and doing, and converse ways of living mindfully as we set up own inner and outer environments, parent and teach! On Children Becoming Earth StewardsThere is lots of talk these days about this generation of children being disconnected from nature and lots of talk about how we are harming nature’s ways of keeping our planet healthy. How can we take this talk and begin to act to help our children connect to nature and understand nature’s ways, so as to foster their development as earth stewards – those who will take on the challenges of keeping our planet livable? The discussion forum will focus on this essential question and on sharing insights that provide answers. Food and refreshments will be provided. Registration is free. Participants joining virtually will get an active link to connect to the discussion forum after registration. For more questions about this event, please contact: Marisa Doyle (617) 627-3434 [email protected]