Childcare expert looks at life beyond plastic
News release
5th May 2011
An early years expert is encouraging those who work with children to swap plastic toys for real experiences.
Early years consultant and trainer Mary Barlow will give a keynote speech at an Early Years National Conference at The Totem Pole in Grantham, Lincolnshire on Saturday 14th May 2011.
Mary will be asking delegates to bring their plastic imitation fruit and vegetables from their setting or classroom to the conference and swap them for a basket of real produce.
The conference, entitled Life Beyond Plastic, is open to anyone working in the early years and child care sectors including nursery nurses and managers, parents, childminders and teachers.
Mary has over 20 years’ experience in the private, public and voluntary sectors of childcare and education and is also one of the directors of The Totem Pole training and resource centre based in the grounds of the Belton Woods Hotel near Grantham.
She explained: “In our manufactured world adults and children use plastic objects every day. These are very similar in many ways – they are often smooth and have no smell or taste.
“By offering a wide range of objects that are not plastic – even something as simple as a bottle top or a fir cone – we enrich children’s learning by giving them open-ended experiences.”
Besides Mary’s presentation there will be a number of workshops throughout the day including Knickers and Underpants by Barbara Thomas, who will be helping delegates rediscover the art of storytelling through ‘Awe and Wonder’.
Mark Whelan from Lincolnshire Forest Schools will be explaining the importance of outdoor learning while creative consultant Katie Smith will be developing people’s den-building skills to create inspiring mini-environments to engage young learners.
To book a place at the Life Beyond Plastic Early Years National Conference on Saturday 14th May from 9.30am to 3.30pm please call Fran on 01476 578200 or email fran.miller@thetotempole.co.uk
The price is £72 including VAT per person and includes a buffet lunch and refreshments. For more information please visit www.thetotempole.co.uk
Notes to editors
- The Totem Pole was established in the grounds of the Belton Woods Hotel in Lincolnshire in October 2009.
- It is a unique training and resource centre for everybody caring for children which offers individuals a different way of learning.
- Early years consultant Mary Barlow has more than 20 years’ experience in child development and develops training programmes underpinned by best practice.
- The Marketplace offers a range of open-ended, sensory and imaginative resources for homes and early years settings.
- To find out more visit www.thetotempole.co.uk
Jez Ashberry
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
jez@shootingstar-pr.co.uk
www.shootingstar-pr.co.uk
t: @jezashberry
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