Finding Joy in Writing Learning Stories: The Gifts They Offer

As participants come together we will take time to read photographs, view short videos and consider children’s learning and joy through play experiences and Learning Stories. We will also take time to explore balls and loose parts and build on previous experiences offered over the past few days. During our time together we will consider the opportunities and loose parts that are offered as invitations and provocations to children in our classrooms. We will think about our own learning and how we communicate and collaborate with children in the classroom and their families. We will consider who the gift of our narrative is for. Our image of the child will be a conversation to help us understand our own thinking around capabilities, competencies and opportunities and the gifts they offer to us. What might be holding us back and how might we rethink “teaching” alongside children in our environments in another way? What gifts can children offer to us if we let go, pause, listen and take time to understand their theories? We will explore the framework of a Learning Story. We will write and share our Learning Stories with each other. During this institute I hope to offer you more questions than answers as we reflect on our own practices.