Working Together for Childhood
The Alliance for Childhood serves as a network that facilitates reflection and action by people with concerns about the care and education of children. It is not a conventional organisation, but an expression of a willingness to work together for the betterment of the experience of childhood. It exists in the shared work and spirit of cooperation whereby all partners can find mutual support. It is a collaborative approach that is created by commitment and by the activity itself.
The First Alliance for Childhood Global Newsletter
This first edition of this newsletter is available here as a pdf file and contains lots of information on current projects, publications and events. Read all about it in a nicely bundled publication!
UK Alliance meeting - reports are ready!
Movement, Play and Emotional Relationships as a Foundation for Learning
18 November 2008: Contributors included: Joan Almon Alliance for Childhood US; Sally Blythe INPP; Christopher Clouder Alliance for Childhood UK: Jenny Drake Primary Maths Consultant; Jan White Education Consultant for Outdoor Provision in the Early Years; Penny Wilson Play Association Tower Hamlets
The Alliance for Childhood joined with the University of East London to host a day conference looking at the role that movement, play and emotional relationships have in establishing the capacities that children need as a sound basis for learning.
Modern childhood places restrictions on opportunities for movement and creates problems. Increasingly the value of learning through outdoor play is appreciated and and teachers realise that it is relationships within education which are an important factor in the quality of learning. These themes were elaborated by contributers, speaking out of a wealth of experience and understanding, allowing time for discussion.
Click here for the conference report!
Transcript of Penny Wilson's presentation
Paper by Sally Blythe relating to her conference presentation
One Day Training Courses for Teachers in the use of the INPP Schools’ Programme
"There is a growing body of evidence to support the long held theory that control of balance, motor skills and integration of early reflexes are linked to academic achievement. Now, not only can these problems be identified by teachers, but a series of studies over the last five years demonstrates that, in many cases, something can be done about them. The remedy is available in the form of a simple daily exercise programme, which can be completed in school for ten minutes per day."
Next course: Friday 30th January 2009 More info....
Aliança pela Infância's 2nd International Seminar
“The Path of Childhood: First steps - Care of children from birth to 3 years' - Not violence from the cradle"
19, 20 and 21 of November 2008 in São Paulo, Brazil
for a more accurate program click here (only in brazilian)
New publication
Building Academic Success on Social and Emotional Learning: What Does the Research Say?
by Joseph E. Zins (Editor), Roger Weissberg (Editor), Margaret C. Wang (Editor)
In this groundbreaking book, nationally recognized leaders in education and psychology examine the relationships between social emotional education and school success -- specifically focusing on interventions that enhance student learning. Offering scientific evidence and practical examples, this volume points out the many benefits of social emotional learning programs.
Available from Amazon
Quote of the month
Attending to social and emotional learning needs is critical. Children need to feel good about themselves to learn. If we want to be risk-takers intellectually, we need to help them feel safe in school and home. The more we address emotional needs, the fewer discipline problems we'll have. This is not only right to do morally; it's a strategy to get kids to achieve academically.
Christina Fuentis - from Social and Emotional Education. An International Analysis; Fudacion Marcelino Botin Report 2008 Ch 5 p 215
(Available through the Alliance for Childhood UK office)
