Raising Levels of Wellbeing and Involvement in Early Years

The Key Role of Observation

Within the new paradigm on education and the experiential approach, creating a powerful learning environment goes beyond craftsmanship and the application of recipes: it requires mastery.

Part of this is the disposition to take the perspective of the learner and to be able to see the ‘whole’ child. In this workshop the role of observation is illustrated as a means to assess the levels of wellbeing and involvement, to understand the needs, to identify the competencies addressed in activities and to take actions leading to deep level learning.

Professor Dr. Ferre Laevers is a member of the staff of the Department of Education, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium) and director of the Centre for Experiential Education.

Most of his work is linked to the innovative project ExperientialEducation of which he was the founding father more than 30 years ago. He is the co-founder of the European Early Childhood Education Research Association and held its presidency from 2005 until 2007.

Julia Moons is participating in the Experiential Education project since 1980. As a preschool teacher she was involved in several action research projects and has made a major contribution to the development of practice that supports well-being and involvement in children. As a senior member of the Leuven EXE-team she supports several developmental projects and the international dissemination of Experiential Education.