Join us at the Edinburgh Froebel Network's 15th annual conference. Held in partnership with the Froebel Trust.

Edinburgh Froebel Network Conference 2026

◇ Gifts for our Future 15: 200 Years of Froebel's Writing ◇

In Partnership with the Froebel Trust

Join the Edinburgh Froebel Network, with the Froebel Trust, for the 15th annual conference celebrating 200 years of Froebel's writing. This full-day event brings together early years professionals, researchers, and advocates committed to inclusive, sustainable education rooted in Froebel’s enduring principles.

Programme

🔹 9.30am | Registration and Refreshments

🔹 10.00am | Welcome and Introduction

🔹10.30am | Keynote 1 - Nature, Connection and Responsibility: Sustainability Through a Froebelian Lens

With Pete Moorhouse. A exploration on the profound links between Froebelian pedagogy and sustainability.

🔹11.20am | Refreshments

🔹11.55am | First Seminar Session (choose from 5 options)

a. BabyNENE: A Froebelian Approach to Being Outdoors with Babies

b. Gardens and Community

c. Weaving Together

d. Storytelling at the Heart of Practice in Glasgow

e. Play Pedagogy in Primary School

🔹13.00pm | Lunch

🔹14.00pm | Second Seminar Session (choose from 5 options)

🔹15.05pm | Keynote 2 - Missing the mark? - Making the internal external in the age of AI

With Lynn Taylor. In this keynote, Lynn will explore the opportunities and risks that Generative AI poses for pedagogical documentation.

🔹15.45pm | Closing remarks and evaluation

✅ Lunch and Refreshments Included ✅

📣 Please note: Engineering works are taking place on the railway service the same weekend of the conference, with trains running slower than usual.

About the Keynotes

🔑 Keynote 1

Nature, Connection, and Responsibility: Sustainability Through a Froebelian Lens

Pete Moorhouse. Froebel Trust endorsed tutor, author, and creative consultant

Nurturing understanding and commitment to sustainability is vital for protecting the natural world, and this keynote will explore the profound links between Froebelian pedagogy and sustainability. Pete will explore how Froebelian practice can nurture connections with nature, cultivate biodiversity and support rich outdoor play. Looking at the United Nations' global sustainability goals, Pete will share practical examples of how Froebelian values can prioritise social sustainability.

🔑 Keynote 2

Missing the mark? - Making the internal external in the age of AI

Lynn Taylor. Writer, illustrator and Froebelian trained educator

Beginning with her illustrated notes from the Froebel certificate course, Lynn will share her unique perspective on the use of drawing and writing to record, remember and communicate as an educator. Froebel urged educators to observe and share what they saw, heard and thought. He envisaged a uniquely human approach. In this keynote, Lynn will explore the opportunities and risks that Generative AI poses for pedagogical documentation.

Seminar Options🌱

A🔹BabyNENE: A Froebelian approach to being outdoors with babies

Dr Nicola Kemp, Dr Jo Josephidou and Polly Bolshaw

Join us for a discussion about our recently completed project A Froebelian inspired nature pedagogy in urban babyrooms funded by the Froebel Trust. We will share insights from our work with babyroom educators and the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust to develop a Nature Engaging and Nature Enhancing pedagogy for babies (babyNENE). Find out about the small steps that can make a big difference to babies, the adults who care for them, and our shared world.

B🔹Gardens and Community

- Reconnecting Children with Nature: A Froebelian Vegetable Garden Project in Early Years Education

Yiota Vlachi, formly of Wynford Nursery School, Glasgow

Drawing on Friedrich Froebel’s belief in nature as an essential context for learning, the garden acts as a “living textbook” (Tovey, 2017), providing opportunities for children to engage with the rhythms and responsibilities of ecological life. Rooted in the principles of unity, connectedness, and self-activity, this project recognises children as active participants in their own learning, encouraging inquiry, collaboration, and meaningful action. This presentation outlines the implementation of the project, evaluates its strengths and challenges, and reflects on how connecting children with nature can support holistic development, sustainability, and rich opportunities for exploration and interdisciplinary learning in early years practice.

- Growing Connections

Judith Thomas and Megan Porter, Spateston Early Years Centre, Johnstone

This seminar describes a Froebel Trust funded project highlighting the importance of outdoor learning for young children through active engagement with nature and sustainable practices. Children participated in the full lifecycle of food production, from planting seeds to harvesting, cooking, and composting, developing an understanding of seasonal change, environmental care, and the cycle of life. The nursery’s greenhouse and allotment provided a practical lea

Description supplied by the event organiser.