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Winter 2012 HONOURING THE CHILD IN COQUITLAM On the eve of the pending "new" curriculum in B.C., based on personalized learning, could Coquitlam be pointing the way? In January 2012, my husband and I went as guests to a meeting there regarding the start-up of a program for primary inspired by Reggio Emilia. It was attended by about 100, including parents, teachers, trustees, the superintendent, someone from the Ministry of Education and guest speakers from Alberta. We were joined at a table by Dr. Laurie Kocher, professor from Douglas College, who lectures on the philosophy and who said knew of me because a student had written a report on Honouring the Child. MC Maureen Dockendorf introduced people, and then talked about the importance of parents, the differences in children - the variety of programs offered in Coquitlam and that parents knew their children best and could choose. Sandra Trumper, Calgary principal of a large multi-cultural elementary school featuring Reggio inspired programs spoke first while images of children's work were shown on the screen behind her. There are eight Reggio inspired schools in Calgary. Barbara Bannon, principal of Olympic Heights School in Edmonton was passionate about Reggio Emilia. She shared pictures of children at work in a Kindergarten class. After the presentations, we shared our impressions with others near us. Then Maureen invited questions from the floor, some of which I could have anticipated, such as my child is autistic would he be accepted? (Yes, all children are accepted and it's our job as educators to work with them and with you in their best interests). How do you know they're learning? How do you report? What happens when they move on through the system?-are they ready to graduate? Lastly, Laurie Kocher announced that the Wonder of Learning: The Hundred Languages of Children Exhibit from Reggio Emilia would be coming to the New Westminster Quay 4th July (until December) and that Dr. Katz would be speaking, (Dr. Katz wrote a forward for my book.) The following is the web-site, which is constantly being revised www.wonderoflearningvancouver.com. And then surprise! One of the Coquitlam Directors of Education ordered 30 of my books and asked if I could I do a workshop later? What a breakthrough. It is such a joy to see that people already have the 'idea' and are willing to launch out this way. See latest review Gibsons, British Columbia, 30th September 2010 Over the past 2 weeks author Pamela Proctor spoke to over 100 parents and teachers at libraries, schools, and bookstores in northern B.C. communities. Starting with multiple events in Campbell River and Port McNeill, and after speaking in Port Hardy, she travelled on by BC Ferries to speak in Prince Rupert. From there she travelled Highway #16 through to Prince George, stopping to speak in Terrace, Kitimat, Smithers, Houston, Burns Lake and Fraser Lake. In her talk Proctor discussed the factors that are important for young children's learning. Also she described her own personal transition in teaching, from a traditional lock-step teach test rank and fail approach, to a more facilitative style that engages each child's talents and natural interest in learning. She described how children can master the basics more effectively with creative arts, co-operation, team work, and physical activity. Her talk stimulated lively discussions with interest heightened by the change in schools to all day kindergarten. There were also media interviews and sales of her book Honouring the Child have been boosted by this tour to over the 700 mark. The book is now available at Coho Books in Campbell River, Rainforest Books in Prince Rupert, Misty River Books in Terrace, Speedee Interior Stationary in Smithers, Country Wide Printing in Houston, and at Books & Company in Prince George.  To order this book please see Ordering Information
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