Defying Deficit: Children as capable citizens of the now
About
In this free online professional learning event, Professor Nicola Yelland draws on her research in early childhood studies, developed alongside Professor JeanneMarie Iorio at the University of Melbourne. Central to this work is a call to move away from deficit models of children's development and toward recognising young children as capable citizens of the now (Rinaldi, 2006).From this alternative narrative, teachers can design innovative learning ecologies that honour children's funds of knowledge (Gonzales, Moll & Amati, 2005) and support the co-construction of knowledge and meaning-making.
Professor Yelland will present case studies in STEM learning ecologies that illustrate how curriculum and pedagogy can be transformed when we begin from this more expansive view of childhood.
The presentation argues for an early childhood education grounded in children's agency, rights, and capacity for meaning-making. Drawing on research and practice, educators are invited to rethink pedagogy, policy, and curriculum through a lens that places capable, curious children at the centre.
Who is this event for?
- Teachers and Educators
- Pre-service teachers
- Service leadership (e.g. nominated supervisors, educational leaders, EYMs or volunteer parent committee members)
- Tertiary educators in ECEC
- Attend as an individual, or invite your colleagues/teams to join too!
Book early to secure your spot. Registrations close June 1.
About the presenter
Nicola Yelland is Professor of Early Childhood Studies and Director of the Global Childhoods Research Hub at the University of Melbourne. Her work is grounded in early childhood education and focuses on how young children learn through multimodal, digital, play-based and inquiry-oriented pedagogies. Drawing on research with early childhood settings in Australia and East Asia, she explores how educators can create rich learning ecologies that support children’s curiosity, agency and meaning making.
This event is organised by the Association of Graduates in Early Childhood Studies, a non-profit charity dedicated to supporting ECEC professionals through free professional development opportunities and resources.
Join AGECS at https://agecs.org.au/
Frequently asked questions
How long is the event?
The event runs for 60 to 90 minutes.
When can I get the Zoom link?
Zoom meeting link will be sent on your registered email on the day of the event.
Will this event be recorded?
Yes, this event will be recorded. However, event recordings are only made available to AGECS members. If you are interested in the recording of this event, and all previous AGECS Online events, consider joining at www.agecs.org.au/join for a $50 one-off payment for a lifetime membership. Your membership is extremely valuable to AGECS as it allows us to host free professional learning events like this.
I'm not an AGECS member, can I attend this event?
Yes, this free event is open to everyone. However, to make online events manageable, we do cap the number of attendees. If you register for a ticket but can no longer make it, please cancel your booking on Trybooking.
Can I get a Certificate of Attendance?
Yes. After the event, you can request this by emailing the organiser, Nicole, at engagement@agecs.org.au. We will provide you a certificate stating the length of the PD and give you an information sheet with links to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.
If you have other questions please email the organiser.
Location
Online event access details will be provided by the event organiser
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Defying Deficit: Children as capable citizens of the now
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