Foreign experts welcomed in Bucharest to lecture on early years education

In a society where diverse emotional problems increasingly affect various aspects of our lives, Acorns Foundation under its own brand of educational events, First 7, organises the early years education conference 2016: HAPPINESS IS LEARNT IN CHILDHOOD, a unique event in Romania, dedicated to early years education and its need to address all aspects. The event is due in Bucharest on 11th-13th May, with three days of innovative workshops, reads the organizers’ press release.

If certificates were considered not so long ago, a guarentee of success in life, reality has proved in time that this is not enough. Professional success comes without doubt in close connection to a balance across all areas of life. A new dimension for life training should include multiple aspects such as cognitive, physical, emotional and social abilities.

A child’s well being has a major impact on the achievement of academic success, since this cannot be obtained if he/she is not equipped with the proper tools and motivation for an active life both in and outside the educational environment.

Therefore, an efficient education must not neglect any aspect of well being, reasons for which teachers themselves need training in personal development. Teachers themselves must be happy and educated in order to build a new society.

Change of vision, mainly sought after

While stating that well being and children’s happiness are areas completely ignored by the education system in Romania, First 7 aims to change the vision commonly held in the Romanian eduational system regarding the importance of well being and happiness in both teaching and learning.

In Romania educational staff are not trained to support children’s well being and happiness. First 7 offers 3 days of training and conference with specialists in education who will present diverse strategies which can be used to encourage and maintain children’s well being.

At the moment, early years education focusses on developing abilities rather than on the child himself as a whole unit, a fact which can lead to emotional problems, restricting learning and happiness. First 7 supports the promotion of the whole child, rather than the cultivation of separate abilities.

The number of children per teacher in Romania prevents the giving of suitable attention to well being and happiness. First 7 supports the idea that teachers should have limited numbers of children in their care.

Lack of information and training affects the well being of both children and educational staff. The way in which teachers feel has a defining influence on the well being, happiness and development of children.

First7: we want healthy, well balanced, children: positive in learning and life, socially and emotionally strong!

First 7 will offer participants specific information, specialised and easily accessible with the aim of raising awareness of the need for early years education in Romania and raising standards in this wherever it takes place.

The workshops will address various topics ranging from creativity, outdoor play, dance and movement, learning letters through movement, to children’s and teachers’ happiness, mindfulness and multiple intelligences.

The event is intended for teachers, carers and teacher assistants from state and private schools, nurseries and creches, psychologists, co ordinators responsible for planning educational activities, nurses in state creches who are also invovled in educational activities with children for whom they care, and parents.

The sessions will be led by specialists from England, Canada and Romania and include: Ann McTavish-trainer, educational consultant and writer; Shonette Bason-Wood – one of the best motivational speakers for teachers in UK; Amy Burke – teacher and conultant in mindfulness; Andy Szekely, author and specialist in peak Performance and professional motivational speaker.

The first edition of Early Years Education Conference took place over 3 days in May 2011. The conference brought together specialists from England, Ireland, Romania and USA. Teachers, parents, psychologists and nurses took part. Acorns ensured free participation for 60 teachers from the state system.

The second edition took place in May 2015 over 2 days. It brought together specialists from England and Romania. Teachers, parents, psychologists, nurses took part. Acorns ensured free participation for 80 teachers from the state system.

Who is Acorns Foundation?

Acorns Foundation has a private nursery within its structure, dedicated to preschool education and modelled on a British school. Staff in the nursery are trained following British materials and programme.

The idea of the early years conference began from the wish to share knowledge and know-how with staff working in state nurseries in Romania. And from here the name: First 7: education from home during the first 7 years of life is not enough; the support of specialized settings is necessary for healthy and balanced growth.

The Romania Journal is among the media partners of the event.