The International Brown Bag Luncheon on Monday, April 12, will feature a look at childhood in Italy by Mira Berkley of the College of Education. "Childhood Respected: A Look at Exemplary Services for Children and Families in Pistoia, Italy," is the title of her presentation, which will begin at noon in the English Reading Room (Fenton Hall 127).
In the third of a series of presentations this spring by Fredonia scholars, Professor Berkley (Department of Curriculum and Instruction) presents an international perspective on early childhood services. Pistoia is a small city in Tuscany that has made a commitment, since the 1960s, to create a strong community of learners. They have done this by creating a system of diverse services, reaching out across generations – all of which support a positive, and respectful, view of childhood.
Professor Berkley has been visiting Pistoia’s programs for children and families over the past 6 years, twice in the past year. Programs include traditional child care centers, parent/child preschool programs, enrichment programs for school-aged children, specialized workshop “Children’s Areas” and more.
Among the lessons learned from Pistoia are the use of natural and recycled materials to create beautiful learning environments, strong family involvement, and on-going collegial mentoring and support for staff. Come take a virtual visit and see well-designed classrooms, with carefully selected materials, that support best practices for young children to enhance their social, emotional, physical, cognitive and creative development. The Pistoia system of early care and education exemplifies a respectful learning community, always building on young children’s growing “autonomy” and “capabilities”.
