Training courses Childhood Education
Train-the-trainers courses for pedagogical staff workers, managers, consultants, early childhood counsellors, teachers in professional training programmes and extra- and refresher courses in child care, early childhood programmes and primary schools. After following the course they are able to set up and carry out their own tailor made training or coaching course for professionals.
In-company training: all of the courses can be organized in-company, for educators, teachers, trainers or middle managers.
Sustainable learning in a professional learning community
Action-training research- project to improve professional quality in early childhood organizations through critical reflection
(Permanent leren. Van zelfreflectie naar teamreflectie. A, van Keulen, A. del Barrio Saiz. SWP, Amsterdam 2010.)
The model for Sustainable learning in a professional learning community is a practical approach that early childhood professionals and their coaches support in order to develop a critical reflective attitude on their knowledge and praxis. The model was developed during a two-year action-research project conducted by Bureau MUTANT (2007-2008). The international developments in the field of professionalization in early childhood indicate the need for new requirements for early childhood educators. Based on the theories of reflective learning and the critical learning community, eight learning methods were developed and co-constructed.
The experiences and the results of this project have been described in a publication that can be used with educators in extra courses in working practice, as well as with students in professional training institutes. The book forms the basis for a nationally accredited in-service training program developed by Bureau MUTANT for educators and coaches.
The eight learning methods developed are: Naming qualities; Asking critical questions; Keeping a Learning process diary, Reflection on Thinking, feeling and willing; Mapping the Context of the childcare centre; Formulating a Personal challenge; Cooperating with a colleague; A Contract of a learning community.
Download article:
Keulen, A. van (2010) The Early Childhood Educator in a Critical Learning Community: towards sustainable change. Comtemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 11(1), 106-112
For further information send an e-mail to a.vankeulen@mutant.nl.
‘Democracy and young children. Playing together, coping with conflicts and reconciling’
‘Playing together, coping with conflicts and reconciling’ is about young children’s social life at childcare centres. How do educators and teachers deal with conflicts between children and when do they or don’ t they intervene? How can they help children learn about basic social values, rules and skills in a playful way? This course is based on the research and the book ‘The social lives of young children. Play, conflict and moral learning in day care groups’ by Elly Singer and Dorian de Haan (University of Utrecht, The Netherlands). The course was attuned to existing programmes and training in childcare. After the course, the participants can carry out the course for executive professionals in their own practice. Participants at the training-of-trainers course receive a manual with the training programme, DVD and CD with presentations.
See: publications
For further information send an e-mail to a.vankeulen@mutant.nl.
The art cart
Art as a vehicle for equal opportunities in cooperation with parents.
Artistic work is an effective way of promoting equal opportunities and respect for diversity. Working with artistic activities and different communication and learning styles can be an opening for appreciating the value of each other’s differences and ideas.
Professionals in child-care centres, the comprehensive primary school, social cultural centres for youth and family are the art cart that will take the lead in promoting partnership with parents.
During the training participants will learn:
- To employ artistic actions as a vehicle for cooperation with parents;
- To take rules for diversity as a starting point for verbal and non-verbal communication and dialogue.
- To break through (policy) habits in the institution.
The training is the result of a project in the framework of the European year for Equal opportunities for everyone 2007, in which Bureau MUTANT, K2, Brabants knowledge centre youth and Childcare Humanitas worked together.
During the training the CD-rom De Kunstkar ( The Art Cart) will be used.
See Publications. For more information on possibilities and prices a.vankeulen@mutant.nl.
Learning from conflicts.
‘ Learning from conflicts’ is a method to have trainers and teachers discover how to learn from awk ward situations or “collisions” with parents. Conflicts make you keep your attention, make you aware of your own attitude and behaviour and enable you to learn and to grow, individually as well as in a group or an organization. The method was based on several (intercultural) communication theories and approaches. A lot of the work is carried out with cases brought in by individuals.
For further information send an e-mail to fuusdegraaff@wxs.nl.
Documentation of families
‘Documentation of families’ is a method to work towards a respectful climate in child-care centres and schools by using picture material such as photos . One example is the family wall where photos from home get a place on the wall and are used to initiate small conversations with the children about their backgrounds. In this methodology attention is also paid to the working method of the child-care centre in a way that is accessible to all parents. During the training the book and dvd ‘Documentation of families’ are used see Publications.
For more information about possibilities and prices: w.doeleman@danatrainingen.nl
‘Dolls Like Us’. Respect for diversity with young children.
‘Dolls Like Us’ (persona dolls) is a method to be used by professionals working with young children (1 to 7 years old). The educator or teacher uses a special doll that stops by for a visit from time to time during group discussion. The children learn that their emotions are recognized; they learn to be proud of themselves and their own background. At the same time they learn to have an eye for similarities and differences between people and to respect these. The method strengthens self-confidence and capacity of empathy and may prevent bullying at a later stage.
For further information send an e-mail to a.vankeulen@mutant.nl.