Boys’ learning: rethinking gender and early years practice
Thursday, November 16, 2017
Gender and how to define it is rarely out of the headlines at the moment. Recent research is also prompting a rethink of what ‘gender’ means, by demolishing gender stereotypes and questioning the nature-nurture, boy-girl divide. Our masterclass will review this latest research and consider its implications for early years practice.
Our line-up of speakers will challenge current thinking about boys’ learning and development, revisit the principles of the EYFS and the Unique Child, and provide best practice advice on helping boys’, and girls’, to flourish.
Starting the morning’s session will be Jo Warin, senior lecturer in the Department of Educational Research at Lancaster University, specialising in gender. She will discuss common myths about myths in boys’ and girls’ learning and development, assess the impact of nature and nurture on the developing child and argue that we need to see gender as non-binary and part of a continuum.
Next up will be Rachel Hehir and Charlotte Van Wely. Both practitioners at Brentry & Henbury Children's Centre Bristol, they will be discussing their action research project ‘Anytime is story time Bristol – engaging boys in reading’.
Much more practical advice will then be presented by Gary Wilson, an early years consultant specialising in boys’ learning and author of Raising Boys’ Achievement.
Rounding off the session will be Alice Sharp, managing director of training company Experiential Play, who will discuss a Glasgow early years training programme for men.
