Innehållsförteckning för Issue 19a Christmas 2024 från Pedagogy+

As the year draws to a close, we pause to reflect on the journeys we’ve taken, the challenges we’ve faced, and the moments of growth we’ve shared. This festive edition of Pedagogy+ invites us to embrace a spirit of joy—one that transcends fleeting happiness and finds its place in the ‘cracks and imperfections’ of our everyday lives and in simple things we cherish—the small wonders that brighten our days. Joy, as many of our contributors explore, is not just an emotion but a practice—a way of being present, connecting with purpose, and finding beauty even in life’s toughest moments. In this edition, we see how joy emerges in profound yet simple ways: in children’s laughter, collaborative achievements, and the quiet resilience born from adversity. It shines through the hope lighting…

I always thought that meantSomething different for everyoneBut I don’t think that’s trueI think maybe the perfect giftIs the same thing for all of usA one-size-fits-all giftthat keeps givingIt’s not somethingyou find on a shelfOr in a shop windowOr even under the Christmas treeBecause it’s right here…with us all of the timeI see it in facesI see it in eyesI see it in the way my loved onesand dear friends look at meI see it in the way they look ateach otherSo let us raise a glass to theperfect gift..…To love Adapted from Jolly Good Christmas Screenplay: Ron Oliver 2022…

MEET FATHER CHRISTMAS, ST NICK, SANTA OR MR CLAUS TAKE YOUR PICK… We asked Mr Klaus about his Christmas plans, he tugged his beard, smiled and ho ho ho-ed… WHAT IS MOST DELIVERED CHRISTMAS GIFT? Ho, ho, ho… I receive millions of letters—some come with glitter, asking for all sorts. But socks—can you believe it? People love giving socks—don’t underestimate their magic—warm feet make for happy hearts. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF CHRISTMAS EVE? Oh, that’s an easy one! It’s the moment I step out of the sleigh, look up at the stars, and feel the magic in the air. There’s something special about the quiet of the world just before the presents arrive—it’s like everyone’s holding their breath, waiting for joy. Also, the cookies. Let’s not forget the…

In the complex and ever-evolving landscape of early childhood education, the pursuit of joy might seem like a radical act. It is not merely a fleeting emotion but a profound orientation of the heart—a way of being that roots us in hope, sustains us through challenges, and uplifts us in moments of triumph. Drawing on philosophical insights, personal reflections, and professional experiences, joy emerges as a cornerstone of resilient and meaningful practice. Joy and Hope as Anchors As Václav Havel noted, ‘Hope is not the same as joy that things are going well, but rather an ability to work for something because it is good.’ This perspective invites us to consider joy and hope not as products of external circumstances but as intentional choices. Both are deliberate orientations toward the…

feet propped on the sofa, seeking some restI sit for a moment to savour the bestthe house is now quietthe guests have gone homeinto my pockets, my fingers curiously roamand to my delight, there are goodies within…- the gift from my bonbon,- a delicate lace hankie- bright threads of ribbon- a tiny gift cardand a golden bauble fallen from the treemy pockets with Christmas literally brim!I assemble my treasures and sit for a whileeach a reminder that brings with it a smilemy head fills with memoriesof laughter and cheera Christmas day with loved ones, dearmy eyes grow heavy, ready for sleepbut at my precious pile, one last peepwhat a dazzling assortment, what an unpackfrom a pocket-sized Santa sackand just before sleep, one lingering thoughtStill warm in my pockets…Is the love…

As Christmas draws near, our thoughts naturally turn to creating a festive scene—our Christmas ‘look’… this is often influenced by our rituals and traditions of Christmases past… how we dress the tree, the gifts we choose and lovingly wrap, how we celebrate Christmas day. If you receive an invitation to spend the day celebrating with family and friends, treat it as a wonderful gift… If you are hosting, a beautiful table landscape becomes your way of saying, ‘I’ve been thinking of you’. It is much more than decoration; it is a visual display of kindness and care that sets the stage for a day of connection, joy and, of course, delicious food. The beauty of a table lies in the details. It is not about the opulence of your table…

If you loved our EYLF webinars - you’ll love our new book! About the book: The EYLF Play Book has almost everything you want, and need, to know about the new improved Version 2 of the Early Years Learning Framework. Dr Red Ruby Scarlet and Anthony Semann have carefully curated ways of engaging with the EYLF that are inclusive and accessible. In the chapters of this book, they dive into each part of the EYLF to guide and support the diversity of educators required to use the EYLF in their everyday practices. Their approach in this book is to ensure educators feel enthusiastic about learning the new additions, as well as a sense of excitement to put them into practice. Red and Anthony continue to work with educational teams in…

learn as you were to live forever Mahatma Ghandi MARCH ■ 20-22 MARCH 2025: INSPIRE CONFERENCE www.inspireconference.com.au MAY ■ 10 MAY 2025: CAIRNS Creating Beautiful Environments Executive Functioning ■ 17 MAY 2025: BRISBANE Creating Beautiful Environments Executive Functioning ■ 29 MAY 2025: BRISBANE Survival Skills AUGUST ■ 4 AUGUST - 13 AUGUST 2025 National Educational Leader Conference SEPTEMBER ■ CLAIRE WARDEN IN AUSTRLIA ■ 10 - 12 SEPTEMBER 2025: HUNTER VALLEY Nourish & Lead Leadership Retreat ■ 16 SEPTEMBER 2025: SYDNEY Claire Warden and Anthony Semann ■ 20 SEPTEMBER 2025: MELBOURNE Claire Warden and Anthony Semann ■ 27 SEPTEMBER 2025: CAIRNS Anthony Semann, Kelly Goodsir and Kirsty Liljegren…

CONFIDENCE 2025 INSPIRE: AN UPRISING CHALLENGE • ADVOCATE • RESIST EARLY BIRD REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN + PAYMENT PLANS AVAILABLE FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER GO TO WWW.INSPIRECONFERENCE.COM.AU 20 - 22 MARCH 2025 ICC Sydney: International Convention & Exhibition Centre Welcome to the forefront of change, where traditional boundaries dissolve, and innovation ignites. The biennial ‘Inspire’ conference beckons, inviting early childhood educators and teachers from across Australia and overseas to embark on a transformative journey like never before. In 2025, we seize the reins of empowerment, rallying under the banner of ‘Inspire: An Uprising’ to challenge the norms, advocate fiercely, and elevate our voices as guardians of education. This conference isn’t just an event; it’s a movement—a clarion call to revolutionise the landscape of early childhood education. 60 WORKSHOPS +…

I can’t say I gave pockets much thought until I picked up Hannah Carlson’s book ‘Pockets: An Intimate History of How We Keep Things Close’. Yet, I’ve always loved a pocket! It makes me incredibly happy when I try on a frock or trews, and there is a substantial pocket hiding, waiting for me to discover it… Without even turning the first page of Carlson’s book, my head filled with pocket-associated memories…and questions as to the why and why not of pockets—within less time than it takes to be pick-pocketed, the purpose of pockets became clear—pockets are more than functional; they transcend fabric, evoking memories and emotions, offering tiny spaces of joy, connection, freedom and security. Pockets are about independence, discovery and the simple delight of finding something precious. Pockets…

MARGERITA NARANJA INGREDIENTS - serves 1 45ml Tequilla15ml Contreau45ml freshly squeezed orange juice15ml fresh lime juiceLime wedge for rim - optionalKosher or flaky sea salt for the rim - optionalIce: Cubed for making and serving GLASS & GARNISH Glass: Medium tumblerGarnish: Slice of orange METHOD Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker Fill with ice and shake until shaker feels cold Run lime wedge aound rim of glass and dip rim of glass into a plate salt Add ice cubes to glass Strain liquid into glass and garnish with orange HUGO INGREDIENTS - serves 1 Chilled prosecco25ml Elderflower liquerSplash soda water1/4 lime cut into wedges4 fresh mint leaves - extra to garnish GLASS & GARNISH Glass: large balloonGarnish: fresh mint leavesIce: cubed - a handful METHOD Mint leaves and lime…

STONEYARD DEVOTIONAL Shortlisted The Booker Prize 2024 Author: Charlotte Wood A woman abandons her city life and marriage to return to the place of her childhood, holing up in a small religious community hidden away on the stark plains of the Monaro. Disquiet interrupts this secluded life with three visitations. With each of these disturbing arrivals, the woman faces some deep questions. Can a person be truly good? What is forgiveness? Is loss of hope a moral failure? And can the business of grief ever really be finished? Praying, one of the nuns tells the woman, is ‘admitting yourself to otherness … it’s hard labour’. Quiet but weighty, this book is about the complicated task of loving the world and its creatures. BILA YARRUDHANGGALANGDHURAY Stella Prize winner 2022  Author: Anita…

+ Pandoro and panettone are Italian-style, bread-like cakes traditionally served at Christmas. The pandoro is typically star-shaped while the panettone can be more rounded or even mushroom-shaped. Both are found in Italian and specialty grocery stores. Ingredients • ½ CUP (125ML) MAPLE SYRUP• 2 TABLESPOONS BRANDY• 1 LITRE STORE-BOUGHT VANILLA ICE-CREAM• 1 X 1KG STORE-BOUGHT PANDORO OR PANETTONE+• ICING (CONFECTIONER’S) SUGAR, FOR DUSTING Method 1. Place the maple syrup in a small saucepan over high heat and bring to the boil. Cook for 3–5 minutes or until thickened slightly. Remove from the heat, carefully add the brandy and stir to combine. Set aside to cool. 2. Scoop the ice-cream into the bowl of an electric mixer and beat on low speed until softened. Add the maple mixture and beat to…

THE AESTHETICS OF JOY What was the research? The Aesthetics of Joy Why was the research conducted? To work out the common elements in things that create joy in human beings, especially what they look at. Who did it? Ingrid Fetell Lee is a designer and writer who has spent fifteen years studying the relationship between design and joy. (And before any academics complain – yes, this is grey literature – research produced outside the traditional academic publishing systems!) How did she do it? She looked at the common things that were universally joyful for human beings and then explored why these things might create joy. What did she find? Her study found that: JOY is an intense momentary experience of positive emotion that we can measure through direct physical…

Love and kindness are two words that clearly express how we shoud be in the world, they are akin. So, we have included Erica’s article again this year. First published December 2022. We’ve all seen them…tops, t-shirts, jumpers with ‘Be kind’, ‘Kindness’, ‘Choose kind’, or some variation thereof, emblazoned on the front. I don’t remember when I first noticed them; maybe they became particularly popular during Covid-19. A reminder of the enduring importance of kindness, especially during hard times, is no bad thing. The cynic in me wonders about people ‘wearing the t-shirt’ but not acting accordingly. Or at least not stopping to ponder what they believe kind actually means. What it looks like, feels like, and how it might drive them to consciously interact with others and conduct themselves…

I wonder if you have encountered this provocation from the renowned thinker behind the work in Reggio Emilia? It invites wondering: How do you think about JOY? As we move closer to Christmas, do you have a heritage where you can hear ‘Joy to the world’ coming from church choirs or school groups? Do you smile with recognition, having been part of those joyous musical occasions? Or, without that connection, do you just get annoyed when you hear tinny versions of that 18th-century-old hymn in lift wells or waiting rooms? What you know, what you bring with you, shapes what you think and feel! Maybe you make more recent connections to joyful music—perhaps noting the coronation anthem written by Andrew Lloyd Weber on invitation by King Charles III: Make a…

The only joy in the world is to begin.Cesare Pavese A beautifully wrapped gift adds to the anticipation and excitement – what could be inside??? Christmas gifts are especially indulgent when it comes to glitz, glitter, ribbons, bows, stars and tinsel. Parcels and wrapping are as traditional as the Christmas tree, and there is something quite special about a tree laden with decorations surrounded by exquisite packages of all sizes, shapes and colours. But we need to pause and consider if you will the aftermath and what we do with all those beautiful trappings of gift wrappings… …Australians spend a whopping 11 million dollars a year on Christmas gifts, we use about 8,000 tonnes of Christmas gift wrap, this equates to 150,000 plus kilometres of wrapping paper and associated baubles.…

One of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats.Iris Murdoch…

I usually jump in the car and drive to my hairdresser, but on this occasion, decided to try the light rail—it was surprisingly quick and easy. It also allowed for a late lunch, sitting in the afternoon summer sun, and reading—bliss! With lustrous locks and just a short stroll, I came upon Royale and deposited myself, Kindle in tow, at a kerbside table. My co-lunchers were a gregarious group of friends—like me, enjoying the soft sunlight but with the added pleasure of the laughter that comes with just hanging out. I look closer, and tucked between the table and chairs is a stroller — the baby slumbers, oblivious to the lively chat. Back to my Kindle. I am engrossed in my genre of choice, a thriller with art restoration thrown…