ECME BLOG April 2012

15^th Early Childhood Music Education (ECME)

INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR, 9–13 July 2012, Corfu, Greece

Passing on the flame:

Reflecting on the Past

Envisioning towards the Future of Early Childhood Music Education

 

We would like to welcome you at the beautiful island of Corfu!

 

Sunday: welcome reception: 19.00

Monday:  start of the academic programme: 9.00

Monday evening: special event: Shadow play

 

The building of the IONIAN University is situated opposite of the Old Fortress and is situated next to a park and at the opposite site of the street you can "jump into the sea". The park is also the start point of the sightseeing trips.

 

The academic programme will include 15 papers, 4 workshops and 18 posters. Each day there will be moments for singing together and moments for discussion groups. We will adjust the timetable to Corfu temperature! This means long lunch breaks, minimum 3 hours, so you can go to the beach and have a swim or stay at your hotel for a nap, and start the program again around 16.00 until 18.30/ 19.00. The long breaks will also be perfect to get in touch with a lot of specialists in early childhood music education and early childhood music research.

Wednesday afternoon: excursion to the art Gallery, workshop Greek dances and diner at Paleokastritsa.

Paleokastritsa is located on the northwest coast of Corfu, 25 km from the airport and Corfu town. The resort is hilly and nestles beneath the folds of steep verdant slopes of olive groves and citrus orchards. It has long been considered one of the most beautiful villages in Corfu as a renowned Greek beauty spot.

Magnificent views are obtained from both the monastery and the hills above, particularly from the village of Lakones.

Paleokastritsa is chiefly memorable for the exceptional scenery along with the superb beaches. The cool crystal waters are ideal for swimming, water sports, sailing and diving as it is the greatest point in the island

At the northern side lies the 12th century Monastery of Vergin Maria (Theotokos). The Monastery stands on a sheer hillside full of wild and olive trees facing the deep blue sea.

The monastery was founded in the 13th century, but there is little to been seen today which is more than 200 years old. Inside however, the modern building is an excellent example of Greek monastic architecture.

There is an arched inner courtyard, and a small museum with Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons. The view from the Monastery is superb, with in the foreground the boat of Odysseus.

Thursday evening: Conference diner with Greek music. By boat to: Vitos Island:

Friday: Closing session: 13.00

 

We hope you will join us!

 

Margré van Gestel
 
Chair 2010-2012 Early Childhood Music Education (ISME)

ECME BLOG February 2012

ECME blog February 2012

 

The aim "ensuring the development of the child…… to the maximum extend possible" is one of the goals we can find in the convention on the Rights of the child (United Nations, 1989, Article 6).  

How culture takes part in this is one of the questions that rise. Are development process everywhere the same or vary these processes between communities and societies?

Each child has its right to develop and development begins prenatally and learning is occurring before birth. The development of young children is nowadays well documented. We know a lot about sensory, emotional, social, physical, language, musical and cognitive development.

All children grow up in a culture and culture means social-relationships, making meaning of the surroundings, hearing your cultures music and learning the language of your culture. Culture has its influence on early childhood settings, early childhood music and early childhood development.

 

Development and learning occur continuously as a learning child interacts with a changing environment. Also children learn in many ways: by playing and exploring, by using all their senses, by imagining, by interacting socially. When adults are emotional responsive to children this helps children to develop. So we all should support children's development taking into account all aspects of children's growth, all aspects of their family's social, cultural and economic circumstances. Music education benefits children, parents, communities and countries.

 

So coming to Corfu from 9-13 July 2012 and being present at the ECME seminar will give you possibilities to discuss what is required to insure quality music education. We talk about respect for cultural diversity and exchange knowledge about how professional development and training for early year's music practitioners can support the development of all children in the community.

Contemporary early childhood pedagogy, the importance of historical reflection, philosophical and methodological aspects, musical literacy, influence of modern media on child development and music program.

You can enjoy listening to lots of interesting research and best practice papers. You may attend workshops, discuss with the presenters of  posters and be part of lively discussions.

 

Let's make music and music education with young children the best thing we ever did!

 

Hope to meet you during the ECME seminar at Corfu

and ISME World Conference in Thessaloniki in Greece.

 

Margré van Gestel

Chair Early Childhood Music Education (ISME) 2010-2012

 

 

v_gestel@hotmail.com
 

www.zingendoemaarmee.nl
http://www.voorschoolsemuziekeducatie.nl/
www.muziekopschoot.org