World Forum 2009 Tours

World Forum: The Sequel - A Nature Tour to Scotland

Mindstretchers Enthusiasm for Nature International Conference and Site Visits

In June 2009, the town of Crieff in Perthshire, Scotland was the site of the Mindstretchers "Enthusiasm for Nature Conference 2009". Following the World Forum programme in Belfast, 65 delegates from 12 countries across the world assembled at The Famous Grouse Experience distillery to listen to speakers whose work provided insights and inspiration into naturalistic play and learning environments and practices in Scotland and Europe.

The conference was opened by Claire Warden, Founder of Mindstretchers and European Leader NACC, with a presentation "Nurture through Nature, Creating Emotional Space for Young Children" that set the scene for Scotland and took the audience on a journey of motivational outdoor spaces.

Niki Buchan and Clare Nugent, both of Mindstretchers, provided further "Connections across Europe" in their talk on Danish and German examples of nature kindergartens and discussion around the play behaviours of young children in naturalistic environments.

Marc Veekamp, representing The Netherlands, stressed the value and importance of fledgling enterprises in his country through his presentation, "Groen is Grass - Nature in Dutch Early Childcare". A further Dutch perspective was offered by Hermien Braakhekke's presentation "Playing in the Forest" which reiterated the need for young children of all ages to be connected to nature.

The combination of speakers provided a constructive opportunity for all present to learn from each other's perspective.

After lunch delegates were transported to the scenic splendour of Loch Turret in the Scottish hills where they could stroll along the water's edge and settle in a calm space of their choice. This was an ideal opportunity to share thoughts and experiences through workshops facilitated by experts in their fields of naturalistic play for young people.

The sound of Scottish bagpipes drifting over the waters drew everybody back to the rustic boathouse where a number of ladies wanted to be photographed with the handsome piper in his kilt! A poster session with delegates from around the world sharing examples of good practice followed. Then, the fires were lit and the opportunity for informal networking continued, glasses in hand, cooking stickbread over the open fires and taking part in creative opportunities such as spoon carving.

Contrary to the information sent out the Scottish weather was stunning and the famous Scottish Midge was not much in evidence - so all the thermal underwear, waterproof coats and boots were not needed!

Day 2 saw delegates board buses and be transported around the variety of Mindstretchers sites that show examples of innovative natural play environments for young children. Whistlebrae Nature Kindergarten was the first such kindergarten in Scotland and delegates were able to explore the woodland site visiting the secret tunnel and use ropes to climb up the slippery slope! Auchlone Nature Kindergarten impressed visitors with its very naturalistic garden space, geodesic shelter with wood burning stove whilst in the forest site, delegates found fairy houses, dens and other resources all constructed by young children using materials from the woods and tools such as saws, loppers and mallets. Settled in informal groups in the woods to discuss experiences, picnic hampers were enjoyed by all in an unhurried and natural environment. The final venue, Mindstretchers Centre for Educational Excellence, offered delegates the opportunity to walk through and experience naturalistic playscapes designed for children by children which offer a high degree of risk and challenge. Here they could lie in a meadow area looking up through the grass and poppies, find the underground dens, create mud pies or simply absorb the views and atmosphere in the forest school site.

In the early evening there were tours of the Famous Grouse Distillery, the oldest one in Scotland, with whisky tasting before everybody gathered for a traditional Scottish dinner and ceilidh. Memories were shared and promises of new friendships were made.

This really special conference event was diverse in the programme presented and rich in the motivational opportunities afforded for listening, seeing, networking and social time. It would be fair to say the learning continued long after the sessions adjourned!

If you would like to know more or come on a study tour please contact us on sabine@mindstretchers.co.uk or www.mindstretchers.co.uk

Reggio Emilia Tour

Almost 70 participants at the World Forum on Early care and Education in Belfast, Northern Ireland, June 16-19, 2009 joined this extensional tour and gathered together in Reggio Emilia, Italy.

This study group has received lot of interest from all over the world and we were expecting participants coming from more than 10 different countries of the World, such as Australia, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, Turkey, New Zealand, Puerto Rico etc. They were educators, directors, primary school teachers, University Professors, atelieristas.

Topics of the International World Forum Study Group included a background on the pedagogical, historical and cultural aspects of the Reggio Emilia Municipal Infant Toddler Centres and Preschools experience, children as citizens, the rights of children, parents participation in the life of the school, the role of the educators, the schools as a system of interactions and relationships, the environment and the educational space, a pedagogy of Listening and observation, interpretation and documentation.

The World Forum International Study group program was also developed through a visit to the town of Reggio Emilia and an encounter with the town-community, presentations by pedagogistas, atelieristas and teachers on the values of the experience of Municipal Infant Toddler Centres and Preschools of the city of Reggio Emilia and visits to Municipal and Cooperative Preschools and Infant Toddler Centres.