Aspect’s annual Early Childhood Conference is one of the most prestigious events in the early years’ calendar, bringing together practitioners, experts, and advisors in one room for two whole days of critical thinking and debate.
Each year’s Conference has a theme, and this year the thread is the “Gender Agenda”. Yet it was fascinating to hear – in very different ways – each of our keynote speakers on Day 1 remind us to focus above all on “The Unique Child” (presumably not having conferred beforehand!). From the big picture on the EYFS, to illuminating case studies from a particularly creative school in Enfield, to the science behind it all, the key message was to recognise but not to be straitjacketed by gender – with our own expectations being so important in setting the context for children’s sense of success and failure, and their engagement with and openness to learning as they become older.
The Conference was opened by Gail Quinton, Worcestershire Director of Children’s Services, who reminded us, through her own very recent experience of her son, tranformed from his usual teenage silence into an articulate, knowledgeable and passionate other person during each match of the world cup, that we so often see only part of the story whether parent, friend or practitioner.
Revisiting some of the thinking underpinning the EYFS, Sally Jaeckle highlighted the need to go with what fascinates each child to enter their universe and truly engage with their learning. From a very different perspective but with noticeable synergy, Margaret Edgington reminded us that just because some children CAN develop specific skills by a certain age does not mean that they SHOULD – and definitely not that every child should be pushed to do so!
To round off the day we were privileged to hear from Dr Lise Eliot sharing with us her research from the US into the pink and blue brain. Again and again she emphasised that the science shows yes, there are innate differences in some areas (though fewer than you might expect) – but that these differences are statistically small, with huge overlap. The real gender difference we see in adults is learned difference, imprinted by years of gendered expectations and experience.
Yes it’s a very brief summary! But has that whetted your appetite for Day 2?
Well if you want to follow us throughout the day visit our Twitter trail at www.twitter.com/aspecteyps (anyone can view – you don’t have to be on Twitter already!), or if you’re already on Twitter keep an eye on #AspectECEG for updates as they happen!
