Special Events

Innovations in Early Childhood Education: Encounters with Lella Gandini

Reflecting on the practices in the schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy, can extend and challenge our thinking about education. In these four encounters with visiting scholar Lella Gandini, local educators, along with Lesley faculty and students, discuss and debate important issues to expand our thinking about what is possible for children and families.

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
ATTEND ALL 4 SESSIONS TO EARN FREE PDP’S

Family Engagement versus Family Participation
March 4th—4:00-6:30pm

Location: University Hall 2nd floor, Amphitheatre, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA

Family participation is one of the main pillars of the educational system in Reggio Emilia. Amelia Gambetti, Reggio Children International Network Coordinator and Liaison for Consultancy to Schools, will share her experiences in applying this principle at the Model Early Learning Center in Washington, DC. Local educators Chris Bucco, Early Childhood Coach, Boston Public Schools and Debbie Leekeenan, Director, Eliot Pearson Children’s School, explain their work and aspirations for family engagement in public and private settings.

Annual June Fox Lecture
TEACHING BY LISTENING: Stories from Reggio Emilia and the United States
April 30th –7 pm

Location: Marran Theatre- Main Campus

The pedagogy of relationship and listening distinguishes the work of educators in Reggio Emilia. Observing and listening to children, engaging them in conversations, asking questions, and discovering the children's ideas, hypotheses, and theories are essential parts of the active role of teachers. This active mode of listening is made visible through documentation, which can be revisited and studied. The visual stories presented in this lecture are chosen with the intention of conveying the values of this process of learning and teaching. 

The Hundred Languages of Children and the Atelier
May 20th—4:00-6:30pm

Location: University Hall 2nd floor, Room 2-078, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA

In an effort to revitalize curriculum, the call for arts integration has gained momentum. But why do the arts have to be integrated; should they not already be present? The Reggio concept of The Hundred Languages of Children and the experience of the Atelier is discussed.

The Cutting Edge of Early Childhood Learning Experiences in Urban Public Schools
May 28th—4:00-7:30pm

Location: University Hall 2nd floor, Room 2-078, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA

The Reggio approach has had far-reaching impact on American early childhood education, particularly among preschools serving upper middle class families. This session examines an example of Reggio-influenced curriculum from a university lab school, and explores how these ideas can impact urban public schools serving lower income families.

LOCATION: University Hall 2nd Floor, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA

COURSE CREDIT- Participants may enroll in EEDUC 5203 Innovations in Early Childhood Education for three graduate credits. For more details about the course, please contact Heather Olson.

RSVP:  Heather Olson, Tel: 617.349.8924, Email: holson2@lesley.edu