Format of Submissions
The learning stories should be comprised of the story (text) with accompanying photographs OR short videos (3 minute video or less).
These can be submitted in a Word document or on a PowerPoint presentation.
Linking to Aistear
We are interested in stories that demonstrate learning in early childhood settings.
This learning can be linked to any or all of the four themes of Aistear:
- Well-being
- Identity and belonging
- Communicating
- Exploring and thinking
(Aistear, NCCA, 2009)
Selecting Featured Stories
Each month a panel of Early Childhood Specialists will select stories to be featured on our website. (Please note that the closing date for monthly submissions will be on the 28th of every month).
From this selection a monthly winner will be chosen to be entered for the Annual Learning Story Awards.
Prizes for each monthly winner and for the overall Learning Story Award will be presented at the Annual Early Childhood Ireland Conference.
Prizes will include a plaque and a voucher.
Awards Criteria
The following criteria will be used to assess entries:
Does the story:
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make children’s/adults’ learning visible?
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include an insight into children’s own thinking?
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explain how the experience emerged?
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explain plans for further development?
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unfold and present in such a way that it is readable and meaningful to adults and children?
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share the learning from the experience?
Consent
Early Childhood Ireland will be exhibiting a range of learning stories on our website and these stories may also be used in our research, training, and publications.
Therefore we need to have permission from children, parents and staff involved.
While you can talk to staff and children to seek their permission, you need written permission from parents.
If parents want to see examples of the ways in which the information would be used they can have a look at the examples we have displayed on the Learning Awards information page.
If you are submitting a learning story please download and complete our Consent Form.
It is your responsibility to obtain permission and to retain the signed consents.
The application form (below) includes a section where you can confirm that you have obtained and retained completed consent forms.
Submitting Learning Stories
Please download and complete the Application Form for Learning Story Awards.
An application form and a consent form (mentioned above) should accompany every entry submitted for the awards.
Your entries can be submitted by email to (Enable Javascript to see the email address).
Further Information
If you require any further information you can contact:
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Aisling Hearne: Email (Enable Javascript to see the email address) or phone 01 4040642
