Gifts for our Future 15: Two Hundred Years of Froebel's Writing

Gifts for our Future 15: Two Hundred Years of Froebel's Writing realiza-se a 3 de outubro de 2026, John McIntyre Conference Centre, em Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Froebel Network Conference 2026 ◇ Gifts for our Future 15: 200 Years of Froebel's Writing ◇ In Partnership with the Froebel Trust Join the Edinburgh Froebel Network, with the Froebel Trust, for the 15th annual conference celebrating 200 years of Froebel's writing. This full-day event brings together early years professionals, researchers, and advocates committed to inclusive, sustainable education rooted in Froebel’s enduring principles. Programme 🔹 9.30am | Registration and Refreshments 🔹 10.00am | Welcome and Introduction 🔹10.30am | Keynote 1 - Nature, Connection and Responsibility: Sustainability Through a Froebelian Lens With Pete Moorhouse. A exploration on the profound links between Froebelian pedagogy and sustainability. 🔹11.20am | Refreshments 🔹11.55am | First Seminar Session (choose from 5 options) a. BabyNENE: A Froebelian Approach to Being Outdoors with Babies b. Gardens and Community c. Weaving Together d. Storytelling at the Heart of Practice in Glasgow e. Play Pedagogy in Primary School 🔹13.00pm | Lunch 🔹14.00pm | Second Seminar Session (choose from 5 options) 🔹15.05pm | Keynote 2 - Missing the mark? - Making the internal external in the age of AI With Lynn Taylor. In this keynote, Lynn will explore the opportunities and risks that Generative AI poses for pedagogical documentation. 🔹15.45pm | Closing remarks and evaluation ✅ Lunch and Refreshments Included ✅ 📣 Please note : Engineering works are taking place on the railway service the same weekend of the conference, with trains running slower than usual. About the Keynotes 🔑 Keynote 1 Nature, Connection, and Responsibility: Sustainability Through a Froebelian Lens Pete Moorhouse. Froebel Trust endorsed tutor, author, and creative consultant Nurturing understanding and commitment to sustainability is vital for protecting the natural world, and this keynote will explore the profound links between Froebelian pedagogy and sustainability. Pete will explore how Froebelian practice can nurture connections with nature, cultivate biodiversity and support rich outdoor play. Looking at the United Nations' global sustainability goals, Pete will share practical examples of how Froebelian values can prioritise social sustainability. 🔑 Keynote 2 Missing the mark? - Making the internal external in the age of AI Lynn Taylor. Writer, illustrator and Froebelian trained educator Beginning with her illustrated notes from the Froebel certificate course, Lynn will share her unique perspective on the use of drawing and writing to record, remember and communicate as an educator. Froebel urged educators to observe and share what they saw, heard and thought. He envisaged a uniquely human approach. In this keynote, Lynn will explore the opportunities and risks that Generative AI poses for pedagogical documentation. Seminar Options🌱 A🔹BabyNENE: A Froebelian approach to being outdoors with babies Dr Nicola Kemp, Dr Jo Josephidou and Polly Bolshaw Join us for a discussion about our recently completed project A Froebelian inspired nature pedagogy in urban babyrooms funded by the Froebel Trust. We will share insights from our work with babyroom educators and the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust to develop a Nature Engaging and Nature Enhancing pedagogy for babies (babyNENE). Find out about the small steps that can make a big difference to babies, the adults who care for them, and our shared world. B🔹Gardens and Community - Reconnecting Children with Nature: A Froebelian Vegetable Garden Project in Early Years Education Yiota Vlachaki , formly of Wynford Nursery School, Glasgow Drawing on Friedrich Froebel’s belief in nature as an essential context for learning, the garden acts as a “living textbook” (Tovey, 2017), providing opportunities for children to engage with the rhythms and responsibilities of ecological life. Rooted in the principles of unity, connectedness, and self-activity, this project recognises children as active participants in their own learning, encouraging inquiry, collaboration, and meaningful action. This presentation outlines the implementation of the project, evaluates its strengths and challenges, and reflects on how connecting children with nature can support holistic development, sustainability, and rich opportunities for exploration and interdisciplinary learning in early years practice. - Growing Connections Judith Thomas and Megan Porter, Spateston Early Years Centre, Johnstone This seminar describes a Froebel Trust funded project highlighting the importance of outdoor learning for young children through active engagement with nature and sustainable practices. Children participated in the full lifecycle of food production, from planting seeds to harvesting, cooking, and composting, developing an understanding of seasonal change, environmental care, and the cycle of life. The nursery’s greenhouse and allotment provided a practical learning environment, supported by community expertise and practitioner training in horticulture. Partnerships with a local smallholding further extended learning, enabling children to care for animals and collect eggs. The initiative also fostered community connections through the sale of homegrown produce, with profits reinvested into sustainability projects. C🔹Weaving Together Tracy Thomson and Sharon Imray Want to try weaving with your children but not sure where to start? Tracy and Sharon will share their Froebel Trust funded project on Weaving Together to give you hands-on-experience of using different looms and materials. They will share their community learning experiences, indoors and outdoors, as they introduced the Froebelian Occupation of weaving and supported it in their own settings with the staff team, children and families. D🔹Storytelling at the Heart of Practice in Glasgow - Creative Storytelling Lynsey Brown This session will explore innovative ways to foster children's creativity through storytelling across the curriculum, focusing on creating enabling environments that support their ideas and sharing how educators can inspire children to develop and share their stories collaboratively, nurturing their confidence and imagination. - "Ideas of Change" A Personal Reflection on "Putting Storytelling at the Heart of Early Childhood Practice" Tracy Ann Aitken Storytelling is a rich and enduring tradition that begins, for many of us, with turning the pages of a book. But storytelling is also much more than this. This presentation offers a reflective exploration of children's own narratives and the stories that emerge through their play, experiences and interactions. Through a Froebelian lens, it considers how attending to children's stories can reveal their agency, curiosity and enquiry, celebrating each child's unique achievements and supporting confidence and flourishing. E🔹Play Pedagogy in Primary School - Play Pedagogy through a Froebelian Lens Eilidh Conlon, Stacey Mackinnon and Nuala Moony This presentation will share our journey of embedding Froebelian principles across nursery, Primary 1 and Primary 2 following our participation in the Froebel and Childhood Practice course at the University of Edinburgh. We will explore how play pedagogy, including the use of Froebel’s occupations, has shaped environments where children’s curiosity, creativity and agency are valued and sustained beyond the early years. Through reflections from practice, we will consider how seeing children as capable and competent learners enables play to be understood not as preparation for learning, but as learning itself. - Valuing Childhood: A Froebelian Journey across Nursery - P2 Ruthana Chalmers and Megan Watson Join colleagues from Maisondieu Primary School and Nursery as they share their journey of embedding play and Froebelian principles across the early years and beyond. The session will explore how the school has woven Froebelian approaches throughout the Scottish Curriculum, with a particular focus on a mixed-age play and projects approach spanning nursery, Primary 1, Primary 2 and beyond. Drawing on their professional learning and action research, presenters will share practical examples of how valuing childhood, play and meaningful relationships has shaped pedagogy, learning environments and curriculum design. Participants will gain insights into the opportunities, challenges and impact of embedding Froebelian principles across the early level. 🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩 Speakers and Contributors (A–Z) 🔹 Tracy Ann Aitken Seminar D - "Storytelling at the Heart of Practice in Glasgow" Tracy Ann Aitken has more than 30 years of experience in early years education. Her practice is deeply informed by Froebelian principles, recognising the unique value of childhood and the importance of nurturing curiosity, play, relationships, and connections with the natural world. Throughout her career, she has worked to create rich, meaningful learning environments that empower children to explore, discover, and develop as confident, capable learners. 🔹 Polly Bolshaw Seminar A - "BabyNENE: A Froebelian approach to Being Outdoors with Babies" Polly Bolshaw is a Senior Lecturer in Early Years at Canterbury Christ Church University. Previously she worked as an Early Years Professional in a Sure Start Children’s Centre. Research interests include the experiences of young children outdoors and research methods for undergraduate students. She is currently undertaking a Professional Doctorate at The Open University about babies’ perspectives of the outdoors. 🔹 Lynsey Brown Seminar D - "Storytelling at the Heart and Practice in Glasgow" Lynsey Brown is a dedicated Early Years practitioner with 27 years of experience supporting families and children in Glasgow. Lynsey holds a BA in Early Childhood Studies with Distinction and is passionate about holistic development, self-directed play, and connecting children with nature. In 2026 Lynsey completed the Froebel in Childhood Practice course at Moray House and is dedicated to engaging with Froebelian practices. 🔹 Ruthana Chalmers Seminar E - "Play in Primary School" Ruthanna Chalmers is Head Teacher of Maisondieu Primary School, a double-stream primary school in Angus. She is passionate about play-based pedagogy and valuing childhood. In 2024, Ruthanna completed the Froebel in Childhood Practice course at the University of Edinburgh, where her project focused on mixed-age play and projects. 🔹 Eilidh Conlon Seminar E - "Play in Primary School" Eilidh Conlon is Depute Head Teacher in a primary school and nursery class and is currently undertaking a Master’s degree in Early Years Pedagogy at the University of Strathclyde. She is committed to Froebelian principles, with a particular focus on play, relationships, creativity, children’s agency, connections with nature, and the importance of slowing down to support deep learning. Her beliefs continue to shape her leadership and practice in developing playful, responsive pedagogy across the primary setting. Eilidh has also contributed to school and local authority development in playful pedagogy and, following a successful Education Scotland inspection where this practice was highlighted, was invited to share her work more widely. She is continually inspired by Froebelian educators at St Cadoc’s, whose expertise and commitment have supported and enriched her ongoing professional learning. 🔹 Sharon Imray Seminar C - "Weaving Together" Sharon Imray is owner of Poppies Nursery, Laurencekirk, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. She is a graduate of the Froebel in Childhood Practice course from the University of Edinburgh. She has a published chapter in the award-winning book Putting Storytelling at the Heart of Early Childhood Practice, was a co-author of the Froebel Trust pamphlet, Sewing with young children and was awarded a Froebel Trust action research grant in 2023 for the project “A sense of belonging,” to further develop inclusive practice in the nursery. 🔹 Dr Jo Josephidou Seminar A - "BabyNENE: A Froebelian approach to Being Outdoors with Babies" Dr Jo Josephidou is Associate Head of School for Research and Knowledge Exchange in the School of ECYS (Education, Childhood, Youth and Sport) at The Open University. With a professional background as a primary school teacher (Early Years), her research interests include appropriate pedagogies for young children. 🔹 Dr Nicola Kemp Seminar A - "BabyNENE: A Froebelian approach to Being Outdoors with Babies" Dr Nicola Kemp: Nicola works as Director of Insight and Impact for The Froebel Trust and is a Visiting Reader in Education for Sustainable Futures at Canterbury Christ Church University. With an academic background in rural and environmental geography, her research interests include children’s connection with nature, outdoor learning and sustainability education. 🔹 Stacey Mackinnon Seminar E - "Play in Primary School" Stacey Mackinnon is primary 1 Teacher and an experienced early years educator with a Master’s degree in Early Years Pedagogy from the University of Strathclyde. A passionate advocate for play pedagogy, her practice is deeply influenced by Froebelian principles and a commitment to protecting children’s right to learn through play. Having completed both the Froebel in Childhood Practice certificate and the Froebelian Leadership programme, she has led the development of Froebel’s occupations across Primary 1 and Primary 2 to support rich, child-centred learning experiences. She contributes to Froebelian research and professional learning within her local authority and promotes children’s creativity as central to high-quality early years practice. 🔹 Nuala Moony Seminar E - "Play in Primary School" Nuala Moony is primary 2 teacher and a dedicated educator with a longstanding commitment to Froebelian principles and practice and is actively engaged in the Froebel community, valuing its collaborative learning and professional dialogue. Through her work with children, she has seen the transformative impact of play on wellbeing, learning, and development, reinforcing her belief that play is central to meaningful education and children’s sense of belonging, joy, and engagement. She has also developed a deep understanding of the educational value of play through observation, reflection on her own children’s experiences, and ongoing professional learning with colleagues, and is passionate about advocating for play as both a fundamental right of childhood and a foundation for lifelong learning. 🔹 Pete Moorhouse Keynote 1 - "Nature, Connection, and Responsibility: Sustainability Through a Froebelian Lens" Pete Moorhouse is an early years’ creative consultant, researcher, author and artist educator based in the UK. He is a Froebel Travelling Tutor for the Froebel Trust. Pete is a leading authority on woodwork in Early Years education, was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to undertake international research into best woodworking practices and has written several books and journal articles, including ‘Learning Through Woodwork’ (Routledge 2017). In 2019, Pete won the national award from the Creative Learning Guild for his work promoting creativity in education and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He was awarded an honorary research fellowship from the University of Bristol and is currently researching creative progression in early education. He is working on his latest book – ‘Creativity in Practice: Nurturing creative and critical thinking in early childhood education.’ 🔹 Megan Porter Seminar B - "Gardens and Community" Megan Porter is Senior Early Years Early Learning and Childcare Officer at Spateston ELC. She has a wide range of experience within early years and is passionate about outdoor learning. She has influenced high-quality within the indoor / outdoor setting to ensure children can lead their learning with real life experiences and opportunities. 🔹 Lynn Taylor Keynote 2 - "Missing the Mark? - Making the internal external in the age of AI" Lynn Taylor is a writer, Illustrator and Froebelian trained educator who has significant teaching and leadership experience in the ELC and primary sectors. Lynn gained an MEd Early Years Pedagogue from the University of Strathclyde in 2019 and is currently completing an EdD exploring the facilitation of play pedagogy in Scottish primary schools. Lynn currently works in a senior role leading on curriculum design within the Scottish Education system. She has written and illustrated many works used across the Scottish Education landscape and beyond, notably co-authoring and illustrating the Scottish early years practice guidance - Realising the Ambition: Being Me , the Go Safe With Ziggy early childhood road safety approach in Scotland and the Out and About Baby Box buggy book. 🔹 Judith Thomas Seminar B - "Gardens and Community" Judith Thomas is Head of Centre at Spateston ELC and has been a leader within early years for over 20 years. She is passionate about high-quality experiences for our youngest children. Leading a Froebelian approach and empowering practitioners to do the same is at the heart of her practice. 🔹 Tracey Thomson Seminar C - "Weaving Together" Tracy Thomson is the Head of Centre at Hailesland Early Years Centre in Edinburgh. She completed the Froebel in Childhood Practice Certificate in 2019 and was a co-author of the Froebel Trust pamphlet, Sewing with young children. 🔹 Yiota Vlachi Seminar B - "Gardens and Community" Yiota Vlachaki has over 18 years of experience in education, beginning her career as a primary school teacher in Greece. She holds a BA (Hons) in Primary Education from University of Ioannina, an MSc in Social Anthropology and History with a specialisation in Gender and Equality Studies from University of the Aegean, and a Diploma in Additional Support Needs from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Since moving to Scotland, she has specialised in Early Years Education, completing an MEd in Early Years Pedagogy from University of Strathclyde in 2023 and the Froebel in Childhood Practice Certificate in 2025. Yiota has worked as an Early Years Practitioner with Glasgow City Council and currently works at The Glasgow Academy. Her professional interests include child-centred learning, Froebelian pedagogy, and early childhood development. 🔹 Megan Watson Seminar E - "Play in Primary School" Megan Watson is Principal Teacher with responsibility for Early Years at Maisondieu Primary School. She holds an MEd in Early Years from the University of Aberdeen and completed the Froebel in Childhood Practice course at the University of Edinburgh in 2024. Her project explored the role of finger rhymes and mother songs in children's learning and development. 🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩