Pedagogy of Place – Community and Curriculum - 4 Part Learning Series

Creating a sense of belonging for children is as much about connecting to place as it is about connecting to people. A place based approach offers many possibilities to educators designing learning experiences for children. Central to this approach is a belief that children have rights as our youngest citizens. Building partnerships with community enables children to learn through ‘many doors’ and not only understand the ‘pulse of their future lives’ (Nimmo) but learn how their ideas can shape the here and now. This short course will support services to develop strong and diverse collaborative partnerships within their local communities that link to children’s lives, interests and learning.
We will re-imagine the connection with community as part of early and middle year’s pedagogy and identify possible pathways for curriculum development.

Participants will have the opportunity to explore:

• The place of community in quality children's services and in realising outcomes for children
• Developing curriculum linked to children's lives and learning in their local community
• Planning and documentation of community curriculum for individuals and groups
  Strengthening and diversifying community connections
• Building social capital for and with children, families and communities

Course Facilitators: Catharine Hydon and Lynn Turner

Catharine Hydon - Diploma Teaching (Early Childhood); Master Education (Early Child Education)

Catharine is a consultant who has extensive experience in the early childhood sector in Australia and overseas. Beginning as a teacher in a sessional kindergarten program Catharine went on to manage a range of services for children and their families. Catharine has a Masters in Early Childhood Education specialising in early childhood practice, policy and governance, the delivery of integrated services and the exploration of innovative programs to engage vulnerable children and their families. She is a dynamic speaker and presenter and is skilled at engaging professionals in dialogue and reflective conversations.

Lynn Turner - Bachelor of Social Work; Graduate Diploma Teaching (Early Childhood)

Lynn has qualifications in both early childhood and community development. Her extensive early childhood experience includes working as a Director in long day care centres, and as an early childhood teacher with infants, preschool and multi-age groups. Her background in community development has included working with homeless women, public housing tenants, playgroups and regional clusters of education and care services. She also leads the policy and advocacy work of CCC, keeping across and responding to a range of policy issues that affect the lives of children, families and their communities.