Kiitos@21stCenturyPreschools newsletter5 | Page 7

International Seminar This Seminar aimed at fostering reflection on each teacher’s own practice. All the presentations brought some insightful message regarding teacher development, bilingualism, transitions, intercultural awareness and Music education. We specially highlight the contributes of Júlia Formosinho, who provoked the audience by explaining the power of relationship and of learning together, not only with children but also with colleagues. She spoke about the power that learning in company may have if one wants to implement change within one’s own practice. João Formosinho spoke of the transitions In Basic Education and how essential it is to promote a life cycle logic in school education in order to achieve a real quality development. The transitions between educational cycles are vital in the course of basic education, these transitions would benefit from occurring in a closely and accompanied environment. Another panel we would like to mention up is the presentation made by Conceição Batista and Isabel Elvas on Curricular Guidelines for Preschool Education. This panel was presented in two specific parts. Conceição Batista gave the audience a generic presentation of the revision and updating process of the Curricular Guidelines for Preschool Education. Isabel Elvas presented us with a more specific view on OCEPE and the contribution given by the Arts Education Team in the creation of the document. The different artistic languages that are part of the field of Artistic Education: Visual Arts, Dramatic Game / Theatre, Music and Dance have now a more significant presence in Preschool Education. Conceição Batista also offered the participants an insight on the Bilingual Schools Program. This partnership aims to create a specific national framework for the establishment, in some public schools, of bilingual learning and Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) in the Portuguese educational system. The International Seminar also received several workshops presented by Preschool Teachers, the Music Teachers Team and the English Teachers Team accompanied by Sandie Mourão. Carla Rocha and Milita Bucho