The Center for Children, Families and Public Policy

The Center for Children, Families and Public Policy at Lesley University is dedicated to establishing high quality programs in the education and care of children, youth and families from diverse backgrounds. Professional development programs for teachers designed to analyze school policies, practices and procedures toward improving the quality of instruction for all children. Using multiples lenses to understand critical issues in teaching and learning,

At the heart of the Center's mission is the support of educators and other school professionals dedicated to improving their practice across their careers. Particular attention is paid to:

• acquiring and maintaining cultural competencies,
• addressing the needs of children with challenging behaviors,
• using observation and assessment to drive instruction,
• providing quality classroom instruction,
• creating just and equitable learning communities,
• eliminating the achievement gap.
• becoming scholarly practitioners, and
• working effectively with families.

Center Programs & Professional Development

The Center conducts three institutes each year designed to address a number of teaching and learning issues, create effective learning environments, develop alternatives to violence in schools and communities, build and strengthen relationships among families and school professionals and promote scholarly practice.

• The Early Childhood Institute
• The Reggio Emilia Institute
• The Peaceable Schools & Communities Summer Institute
• Professional Development Workshop Series in Early Childhood Education

What's Coming up next:

Basic Principles and Practices of the Reggio Emilia Approach
Saturday, April 12 - Advent School, Boston, MA

The 2008 Annual Reggio Emilia Inspired Institute
Saturday, April 26 - Sunday, April 27

• "An Expansive View of Inclusion: Education Based on Relationship in the Preschools of Reggio Emilia"

Pre-Institute
Friday, April 25th

• "Observing, Listening, and Learning: The Languages of the Reggio Emilia Atelier and the Visual Thinking Strategies"

Two workshops in May Inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach
With Kathleen Bailer, M.Ed.

• The Language of Materials: Clay, Drawing and Paint - Reggio Inspired Workshop
  Saturday, May 10 - University Hall, Lesley University
  • Learn about the fundamentals clay, drawing and paint through in-depth exploration and study of its language.
  • Learn about the developmental stages of art, managing and selecting materials, talking to children about their artwork and documenting their learning.
  • A combination of theory and hands-on so be sure to bring a smock!
• Working with Natural Materials in the Environment
  Friday, May 30 - MA Audubon, Belmont
  • Understand Earth's landscape in relation to our roles working with young children.
  • Collaborate with educators to provoke ingenuity, enhance creativity and build awareness of natural materials.
  • Spend the day in a beautiful natural setting and experience the
  • Participate in collecting, observing and classifying materials to deepen your understanding of how elements from the natural environment support children's development.
  • Get to know the properties of natural clay; develop a relationship with clay and understand its benefits for children.

PEACEABLE SCHOOLS & COMMUNITIES 16TH ANNUAL SUMMER INSTITUTE
Sunday, June 29 - Wednesday, July 2, 2008

For further information regarding the center or our upcoming Institute and Workshops please contact:

Center for Children, Families and Public Policy, University Hall
1815 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
Telephone: 617-349-8922 or 1-800-999-1959 x 8922
Fax: 617-349-8125
email: holson2@lesley.edu