Trainings and Projects by Mutant
Sustainable learning in a professional learning community
Action-training- research project to improve professional quality in early childhood organisations through critical reflection
The model for Sustainable learning in a professional learning community is a practical approach that early childhood professionals and their coaches support to develop a critical reflective attitude on their knowledge and praxis. The model was during a two years action research project conducted by Bureau MUTANT (2007-2008).
The project has emphasised the educators’ reflection process, a shift from individual learning to collective learning and the necessity to involve all levels at early childhood organisations. The experiences and the results of this project have been described in a publication that can be used with educators in extra courses in working practice, as well as with students in professional training institutes (van Keulen & del Barrio Saiz, 2010: Permanent leren. Van zelfreflectie naar teamreflectie. Sustainable learning. From self reflection towards team reflection). The book forms the basis for a nationally accredited in-service training program developed by Bureau MUTANT for educators and coaches. A summary of the action research has been published in Contemporary issues in Early Childhood, 11, nr 1, 2010 (www.mutant.nl)
The social lives of young children. Playing together, coping with conflicts and reconciling
‘Playing together, coping with conflicts and reconciling’ is about young children’s social life at childcare centres. How do educators and teachers deal with conflicts between children and when do they or don’ t they intervene? How can they help children learn about basic social values, rules and skills in a playful way? This course is based on the research and the book ‘The social lives of young children. Play, conflict and moral learning in day care groups’ by Elly Singer and Dorian de Haan (University of Utrecht, The Netherlands). The course was attuned to existing programmes and training in childcare. After the course, the participants can carry out the course for executive professionals in their own practice. Participants at the training-of-trainers course receive a manual with the training programme, DVD and CD with presentations.
Child Care Centre as space for democratic practice
This project focuses on the operationalising of democratic citizenship with respect to young children with particular attention on the theme of children’s participation. Attention is being paid to identifying and enhancing the skills and competencies required by practitioners in this area such as: being open to diversity and dialogue; dealing with unequal power relations; managing uncertainty and complexity; stimulating co-operation, commitment and participation. The approach to the project is action research in four pilot settings in four cities in the Netherlands: Amsterdam , Veghel; Rotterdam; Utrecht. For this project Bureau MUTANT and Eduniek are working in collaboration with the Centre for Equity and Innovation in Early Childhood (CEIEC) at the University of Melbourne, which specializes in equity and change research and professional development . CEIEC executes the evaluation research and provides training on action research and citizenship.
Execution: Bureau MUTANT and Eduniek.
Duration 2009-2011
Democratic citizenship for young children
Bringing up children to be democratic citizens, what is that about? Eduniek and MUTANT started a project Democratic Citizenship for 3-6-year olds. In their groups at (pre)school children learn about communal spirit, making sacrifices for others, listening to each other. They also learn that what they say matters, that they are heard and appreciated. At a few pilot locations (pre-schools and kindergarten groups) in Utrecht this approach has been co-constructed with practitonars. It is about the vision on bringing up to democracy and about the competencies children need to live in and to contribute to a world full of diversity.
Execution: Bureau MUTANT and Eduniek.
Duration 2008-2010