By: Diane Kashin, Ed.D, RECE. As someone who has researched and reflected on early childhood education over many years, I have often wondered why practices that stifle creativity and agency continue. I wonder why these dubious practices are left unquestioned? I have visited countless early learning programs and wonder why from location to location the … Continue reading
Filed under Reggio Inspiration …
Playing and Learning Outdoors: Building Capacity in the Early Years
By: Diane Kashin, Ed.D, RECE. I have made this confession before – when I worked directly with children I did not embrace outdoor play and learning. I could have never imagined that as retirement is looming over the horizon that I would be advocating for outdoor play and learning. I am volunteering with the York Region … Continue reading
Reggio-inspired Curious Contexts of Experience
By: Diane Kashin, Ed.D, RECE. It has been a few weeks since my return to Reggio and I am still processing the experience. The opportunity to spend a week in this historically beautiful environment with others on the 2018 Canadian Study Tour was one that I will always cherish and hold close to my heart. … Continue reading
The Return to Reggio: The Journey Continues
By: Diane Kashin, Ed.D, RECE. In less than one week’s time I will be on the road to Reggio Emilia, in north central Italy. This will be my third and maybe the last time I participate in a study tour. Reggio Emilia is home to what are considered the best preschools in the world. According to … Continue reading
The Back to Basics Conundrum in Early Learning: Reflecting on the Past to Move us Forward
By: Diane Kashin, Ed.D, RECE. Recently, a kind and sharing early childhood educator posted my blog, Pedagogical Documentation: Why? When? Who? What? Where? How? on a Facebook group for Reggio-inspired educators. Since she tagged me, I looked and saw that it immediately garnered a comment. “Basic” was all she wrote. I replied “it was meant to be” … Continue reading
The Links between Literacy, Nature and the Principles of the Reggio Emilia Approach
By: Diane Kashin, Ed.D, RECE. When I was asked to present a workshop that focused on the links between literacy, nature and the Reggio Emilia Approach at the Reading for the Love of It conference I was thrilled as I have a passion for all three. I knew I needed to start with the principles. … Continue reading
Lines in the Sand in ECE: Where do you Draw the Line?
By: Diane Kashin, Ed.D, RECE. and Cindy Green, BSc, RECE. This is the third in a series of blogs written about a leadership research project that we are working on with Upper Canada Child Care Centres. In the first post we introduced the research project. In the second post we reflected on reflection as an important process essential to … Continue reading
Growing Pedagogical Leaders: Reflective Practice in Early Childhood Education
By: Diane Kashin, Ed.D, RECE. and Cindy Green, BSc, RECE. This is the second of a series of blogs written about a leadership research project that we are working on with Upper Canada Child Care Centres. In the first post we introduced the research project. In this post we reflect on reflection as an important process essential … Continue reading
Growing Pedagogical Leaders: A Research Project
By: Diane Kashin, Ed.D, RECE. and Cindy Green, BSc, RECE. This is the first of a series of blogs written about a leadership research project that we are working on with Upper Canada Child Care Centres. It has been many years since we first connected with Upper Canada Child Care in various capacities. Most recently … Continue reading
The Future is Now: The Child as Citizen
By: Diane Kashin, Ed.D, RECE. Being in the early childhood education sector for so many years, there are some things that I get tired of hearing. Too often, I hear it said, “Children are the future”. I often counter to say that the future is now. Even more annoying is to hear the future being … Continue reading