Birth to Three : Shihan’s Story

This seminar explores the powerful possibilities which await early childhood educators as they follow Shihan on her learning journey.

It will emphasise the importance of listening to the very young with all of our senses as we observe and interpret Shihan's actions and thoughts. We will explore and expand our knowledge and understanding of the documentation approach to early learning with a particular focus on the under threes within the context of an early years setting.

We will begin to develop an understanding of the participation and collaboration which can take place between all the key players in the life of a very young child. We will gain an insight into child development through Shihan's eyes and through the 'silent voice of the camera'.

We will share findings which have made children's learning more explicit to parents, families and the wider learning community. The Early Childhood Team, in partnership with Head and staff of early years establishments, has pioneered the development of Stirling's Documentation approach to Early Learning.

This approach to early learning involves working with children and families as they participate and contribute to their own learning and to the learning of others. This session shares the story of Shihan, two and a half years old. It provides an insight into what is possible with the Birth to Three age group through Stirling Council Children's Services documentation approach to early learning.

Delia O'Hagan is Early Childhood Link Officer with Children's Services, Stirling Council. As such one of her key roles is to work closely with early years settings in Stirling Council (in relation to Quality Assurance) which include public, voluntary and private sectors.

She leads on Professional Staff Development with a particular focus on the Under 3's and has been involved in developing materials for the Birth to Three Guidelines (LTS) and the 'Babies Love Books' document (Stirling Council).

She has considerable teaching and management experience in both nursery (as Head of extended day/extended year provision 0-5) and in further education as a lecturer in Early Childhood and Education.

She has been a Consultant for Expressive Arts in Stirling and has worked as a music and drama specialist with Secondary pupils with Additional Support for Learning. She has attended and given presentations at a range of national conferences and has been invited to contribute to several staff development events throughout Scotland.