Glynne Mackey – University of Canterbury, Christchurch, NZ.

OMEP 65th World CongressJuly 2013‘

Empowerment Allows child to learn and grow; to be active in gaining knowledge that leads to decision-making and individual and/or collaborative action. Empowerment of child and family through democratic processes.

Holistic development Children grow in an holistic way within meaningful relationships and experiences

Family and community Sharing information; participation and collaboration; understanding parental expectations and understandings

Relationships (with people, places and things)An ethic of care; peacefulness; respect; balance of power ; responsive and reciprocal

Nature kindergartens Mangere Bridge – children helping on a farm (mangerebridgekindergarten.blogspot.com) Ngahere Project – a unique NZ bush

experience (Kelly & White, 2012) Fiordland Kindergarten – a kindergarten on the

boundary of a World Heritage Park (www.ska.co.nz)

Enviroschools nation-wide programme for a whole

school/centre approach with strong links to the community

Christchurch – about 12,000 recorded shakes since September 4th 2010.

Sustainability more focused on community; importance of place and relationships; care & empathy

Opportunities to rethink and plan the physical environment – more natural features and gardens; more bicultural construction

Graduating teacher standards - professional knowledge, professional practice, professional values and relationships

LINKS TO:Key tenets of ECEfS – the child as a right holder:

meaningful dialogue and engagement with children: representing and appreciating diverse contributions: and democratic values and principles of participation (Samuelsson and Kaga, 2008)

Teacher education programmes are now including courses that address issues on environment, sustainability and social justice

Teacher Education Networks – meet, share, discuss, reflect.

Kelly, J., & White, J. (2012). Pedagogy beyond the gate. The Ngahere Project. Early Childhood Folio, 16(2), 5-11.

Ministry of Education (1996). Te Whāriki: Early childhood curriculum. Wellington: Learning Media.

Pramling Samuelsson, I., & Kaga, Y. (2008). The contribution of early childhood education to a sustainable society. Paris: UNESCO.

mangerebridgekindergarten.blogspot.com www.taurangakindergarten.org www.kidsfirts.co.nz (Canterbury Kindergarten

Association)