Learning Story Of The Year 2021 2021 2021
This category takes the approach of writing a letter to one individual child.
Shortlisted Entries - Early Childhood Ireland Learning Story of the Year
• Space, Time and materials
Cheeky Cherubs Early Years Schools, Highfield Park, Carriganarra, Ballincollig, Co Cork.
• When I have a camera in my hand, I know no fear
Beverton Preschool, 31 Beverton Drive, Donabate, Co Dublin.
• Woody’s Maps
Creative Kids & Co., Assumption Primary School, Walkinstown, Dublin 12.
Watch the above video to find out which of our shortlisted entries has won and see their reaction to the news!
Early Childhood Ireland
National Annual Awards
Learning Story of the Year Award
A ‘Learning Story’ records what an educator has seen a child (or group of children) doing in an early learning and care service. Learning Stories allow us to document a child’s learning. They are a tool for tuning into children’s worlds in a more profound, more meaningful way as educators. Learning stories can truly hear children, listen, watch and see, and extend a child’s learning.
Learning Stories are an effective and inclusive way of documentation and assessment in early childhood settings that require knowledgeable educators who understand children’s learning. Carr and Lee (2012) believe that learning stories are powerful ways of documenting learning, using the reciprocal relationships between the child, people, and the environment.
These narratives are observations of children’s participation in everyday activities, in everyday settings that demonstrate children’s growing identities, dispositions, thoughts, explorations, and communications. This natural way of documenting children’s journeys links strongly with the words, wonderings, questions and ideas from children. Early Childhood Ireland recognises these quality practices and is delighted to share these stories with our members through our learning story awards.
There are three awards in the Learning Stories Category
Award 1 Criteria for Short-listing and Judging – Learning Story of the Year Award
Please use the application form, in the Learning Story for an individual child, to demonstrate:
Documentation and Supporting Evidence requirements
- The maximum word limit is 1000 words.
- Award entries must be factually accurate.
- Supportive evidence may include for e.g., relevant photographs, artwork but is not essential.
- Photograph submission form.
- A completed application form. (all documents to be uploaded in word format only and not pdf)
- A signed Declaration.
- Consents for all photographs included (photographs will not be accepted without appropriate consents)
Resources to support you in applying for this award.
- Aistear – The Early Childhood Curriculum Framework
- Síolta – The National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education
- Winner of the Early Childhood Ireland Learning Story of the Year Award (written to individual child) – YouTube
- Winner of the Early Childhood Ireland Learning Story of the Year Award (written to individual child) – YouTube
- Early Childhood Ireland Best Learning Story from a ‘Newcomer’ setting (individual child or group) – YouTube
- Learning Stories: What is a Learning Story? And is it a good way of assessing a child’s learning? (myece.org.nz)
- Learning Story Framework – Wendy Lee & Margaret Carr (2012)
- https://www.earlychildhoodireland.ie/blog/tuning-in-with-learning-stories/
- https://www.earlychildhoodireland.ie/blog/sharing-play-stories/
- https://www.earlychildhoodireland.ie/blog/inspired-to-document/
- https://www.earlychildhoodireland.ie/blog/documentation-trace-of-your-professional-life/
- Learning Story Framework – Wendy Lee & Margaret Carr (2012)
- Early Childhood Ireland’s Reflective Framework .pdf
- ECI National Annual Awards FAQ
Key dates for your diary
Opening date |
19 April 2021 |
Closing date |
31 May 2021 |
Award Winners announced |
8 October 2021 |
Please email kwhitham@earlychildhoodireland.ie if you have any questions.
Sponsor
Early Childhood Ireland Learning Story Award is Sponsored by Allianz
