The U.S. liaison for an internationally known approach to early childhood education will speak in Maine twice this fall during a series of professional development sessions aimed at early childhood and elementary-school educators.
The Breakwater School of Portland will host Dr. Lella Gandini on Oct. 1 and Dec. 3. Gandini is the U.S. liaison for dissemination of the Reggio Emilia Approach, an early childhood education concept that promotes research-based practice and documentation of young children’s learning gains.
Educators can participate in a full-day conference on Saturday, Oct. 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $100.
They can also participate in a monthly seminar series, which costs $300 and is limited to 20 participants. The first session — held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 3 — will feature Gandini. Other sessions will take place:
- Jan. 28, 2012, 9-11 a.m.
- Feb. 25, 2012, 9-11 a.m.
- March 24, 2012, 9-11 a.m.
- April 28, 2012, 9-11 a.m.
- May 19, 2012, 9-11 a.m.
Both professional development offerings will allow participants to learn how to make young children’s learning evident to families and teachers. Participants will explore how to use observation and documentation in assessing individual and group learning. They’ll also discuss using predetermined standards in ways that meet children’s intrinsic learning needs.
All events take place at the Breakwater School, located at 856 Brighton Ave. in Portland. Contact Laura Friedman by email (lfriedman@maine.rr.com) or phone (207-239-2347) to register.
Resources and more information
- Janine Blatt, Early Childhood Consultant
Maine Department of Education
207-624-6632
janine.blatt@maine.gov - Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education
- Conference and seminar announcement
- Maine Early Childhood Learning Guidelines