2008 11

Fri, 07 Nov 2008

Early years development as the basis for later learning

LONDON (NNA) – What kind of experiences do children benefit from, particularly in the early years, as a foundation for more academic learning at a later stage? That is the question posed by a conference, “Movement, Play and Emotional Relationships as a Foundation for Learning”, to be held at the University of East London later this month.

Organised by the Alliance for Childhood in association with the University of East London, speakers will include Joan Almon (Alliance for Childhood US), Sally Blythe (Institute for Neuro-Physiological Psychology), Christopher Clouder (Alliance for Childhood UK), Jenny Drake (Primary Maths Consultant), Jan White (Education Consultant for Outdoor Provision in the Early Years) and Penny Wilson (Play Association Tower Hamlets).

Some of the areas the conference will look at are issues related to the problems caused by the restrictions of modern childhood with their reduced opportunities for movement and the mental and physical consequences of a couch-potato lifestyle.

In a world where it is perceived that children can no longer “play out” freely and safely we need approaches for early childhood education that are appropriate and effective for young children's all-round well-being and development, the organisers say.

This starts as early as the baby stage. According to the advance publicity, babies who don’t crawl or aren’t active enough in their first year retain their newborn reflexes and have to struggle against them. Not only could they have difficulty in reading and writing, but they may also be clumsy and uncoordinated, have trouble tying shoelaces, riding a bicycle, catching balls and find it hard to do things that involve two skills together.

Another factor is the role of the teacher and relationships within education and how this impacts on the children as learners and people.

“These themes will be elaborated by contributors, speaking out of a wealth of experience and understanding,” the organisers say.

END/nna/cva

www.allianceforchildhood.org.uk

Item: 081107-02EN Date: 7 November 2008

More NNA reports at: www.nna-news.org/en/

Lifetime achievement award celebrates 50 years of biodynamic farming

LONDON (NNA) – The British Biodynamic Agriculture Association (BDAA) is celebrating more than 50 years of biodynamic farming at Perry Court Farm near Canterbury in Kent with a special lifetime achievement award for Alan Brockman.

In a statement, the BDAA said Brockman, who has been farming at Perry Court Farm since the 1950s, had contributed in many different ways towards the development of biodynamic agriculture in Britain.

“His conviction and devotion to the work continues to be an inspiration for everyone setting out on the biodynamic journey,” the Association added.

Perry Court has always been a typical mixed Kentish farm, supporting fruit enterprises, sheep, hops and cereals. Since 1953, its 330 acres have been farmed by the Brockman family. Today, unlike many others, it is still a mixed farm using traditional methods to maintain and improve yields in a safe and sustainable way.

The conversion to organic and biodynamic management began during the 1950s with fruit and vegetable enterprises being the first. Now into the fourth generation at Perry Court, the family continue to farm in the traditional way with the added benefits of modern machinery and the latest organic and biodynamic methods.

The award will take place on 5 December at Rudolf Steiner House in London and the celebration aims to look forward as well as celebrating past achievements.

A special biodynamic buffet will be followed by the award presentation, a short address by Alan Brockman and a conversation on the “exciting opportunities for biodynamic agriculture”, the BDAA said.

The evening will conclude with a short concert of original songs created by singer-songwriter Susan Raven who, according to the BDAA, is a great fan of biodynamic agriculture.

END/nna/cva

www.biodynamic.org.uk, www.perrycourtfarm.com, www.susanraven.com

Item: 081107-01EN Date: 7 November 2008

More NNA reports at: www.nna-news.org/en/

﻿Early years development as the basis for later learning

﻿Lifetime achievement award celebrates 50 years of biodynamic farming

Early years development as the basis for later learning

Lifetime achievement award celebrates 50 years of biodynamic farming