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Marcella Towler

@marcellatowler.bsky.social
447 followers 594 following 50 posts

Lecturer, Early Years and Childhood Studies, UCC School of Education. Co-Researcher Nurture through Nature. Froebel,Nature STEAM,Aistear,Action Lesotho.

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Reposted by Marcella Towler
Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
🔎 Resource spotlight: Risk and challenge in babies’ and toddlers’ play. 🌿 Explore how play that involves risk and challenges allows even the youngest children to experiment with problem-solving, discover their individuality and understand themselves in relation to the world. 🌍
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The Froebel Partnership @froebelpartnership.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
🌟 See Froebel in action! 🌟 EYFS practitioners – explore Froebel-inspired practice at Guildford Nursery School 📍 York Road: Wed 30 Sept, 9:30-11am 📍 Hazel Avenue: Wed 11 Nov, 9:30-11am ✨ Guided tours | Staff Q&A | Refreshments 💷 £25 + booking fee | Limited places 🎟️ Book here: buff.ly/vT2nreO
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
It’s #NationalFitnessDay and to celebrate, we’re sharing how Froebelian principles support physical development in early years learning. 🤸 Did you know that the foundations of lifelong fitness are established in early childhood?
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BECERA @becerauk.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
The call for papers for our 17th annual BECERA Conference is now open. We are calling early years practitioners, researchers and students to submit their proposals and present their research at our Birmingham event on 16th February 2027. More information: buff.ly/lslzwyo #BECERA #BECERA2027 #CREC
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
"This curriculum is for the modern age." New film alert! 🚨 Froebelian Practice Across Primary School. 🌿 Join us as we visit The Federation of Blenheim Road and Coed Eva Primary Schools! #Froebel #FroebelTrust #FroebelianFilm #PrimarySchool #EarlyEducation #FroebelianOccupations
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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 16/09/2026
The Dáil returns today and we are urging the government to raise terms and conditions for staff and to demonstrate that the Early Years workforce is valued and respected. Read our submission here: buff.ly/rFoTo5o #EndTheExodus #Budget2027
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
The countdown is on for the conference Gifts for our Future 15: Two Hundred Years of Froebel’s Writing. ✨ During a 1-hour workshop, Judith Thomas and Megan Porter will explain the importance for young children of outdoor learning through nature and sustainable practices. 🌿
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Pam Jarvis @drpam.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
We need a new approach to early years education to unlock children’s creativity, independence and self confidence @lucympowell.bsky.social -this is a major component in preventing later low achievement and poor mental health @aaronearlyyears.bsky.social
nurseryworld.co.uk
Curriculum pressure a key barrier to practitioners’ play work, research warns - Nursery World
Curriculum pressure, workforce stability and a lack of resources and funding are key barriers preventing practitioners supporting young children to learn thr...
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Experience Froebel’s principles in action at Guildford Nursery School! 🌿 Take a tour of the Froebel-inspired setting and see Froebelian practice first-hand at either of their two sites. Educators have the opportunity to tour the site, talk with staff and attend a Q&A session.
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Your chance to join free Work Discussion groups, facilitated by Roehampton University’s Peter Elfer and Ruth Seglow, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist. 🙌 This November and December, early years educators are invited to join three free Work Discussion groups.
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
We're delighted to announce a new series of free books for educators, in partnership with Bloomsbury Academic. Froebel in Practice is a series of short and accessible guides which explore a Froebelian approach in Early Childhood Education and Care. 🌿
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The Froebel Partnership @froebelpartnership.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
A wonderful trip to Madeira to launch Being and Becoming a Froebelian Community of Evidenced Practice 🌿📚 Inspired by the Froebel Partnership's collaborative research, the book presents an innovative approach to ethical teacher professional development. Use ADC26 for 30% off: buff.ly/k9AN6FD
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Explore a Froebelian approach to being outdoors with babies with Dr Nicola Kemp, Dr Jo Josephidou & Polly Bolshaw at the conference Gifts for our Future 15: Two Hundred Years of Froebel’s Writing. 👶 On 3 October, we’re heading to the John McIntyre Centre in Edinburgh for a one-day conference. 🙌
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Action for Happiness @actionhappiness.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
If it’s out of your hands, it deserves freedom from your mind too Image: www.instagram.com/toyoufromsteph
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
What opportunities and risks do GenAI pose for pedagogical documentation? 💡 Illustrator and Froebelian educator, Lynn Taylor will explore that at the conference Gifts for Our Future 15: Two Hundred Years of Froebel’s Writing. 📅 Saturday 3 October 🕘 9.30am – 4pm 📍 John McIntyre Centre, Edinburgh
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Earlier in the year we announced the launch of the Professional Inquiry for Practice Transformation (PIPT) grants, giving Froebel Trained educators in the UK up to £5,000 to develop their practice. 🤩 Now, we’re pleased to announce the 8 projects we’ll be funding across England, Scotland and Wales.
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
🔎 Resource spotlight: Connecting with parents, families and communities: a starting point 🤝 Explore the importance of relationships, unity and connectedness with children, their families and the wider community. 📖 You can find our free downloadable pamphlet on our website.
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
At the Froebel Trust we champion children’s play for all its benefits to children. In this short video, we explore how a Froebelian approach supports young children’s physical development.
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Enjoy a powerful exploration of the profound links between Froebelian pedagogy and sustainability with Pete Moorhouse! ♻️ 🤩 On Saturday 3 October, Pete, along with other notable speakers will come together for the conference Gifts for Our Future 15: Two Hundred Years of Froebel’s Writing.
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Taylor & Francis Research @tandfresearch.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
FREE for #EECERA2026! "Exploring children's participation from Froebelian practitioners' perspectives in Scottish context" Impactful study offers valuable insights for practitioners & policymakers. Read now 👉 spr.ly/63329B1SzeT
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Young children's assent and dissent in research: agency, privacy and relationships within ethical research spaces
Participatory, rights-based methodologies in childhood studies have explored conditions that realise children's rights to participation. One avenue of investigation has been to explore assent proce...
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Join our new Birth to Three network! 👶 We’re launching a network to support educators and researchers working with babies and young children from birth to three years of age. Register your interest and join a network where you can connect with fellow educators. 🌿
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
In our latest podcast episode, Birth to Three, guest speaker Polly Bolshaw, shares the relevance of Froebel’s principles in the early years. 🌿 Joined by Dr Zeny Melissourgaki, Dr Maria Cooper and Annamaria Beven, together they discuss all things babies and toddlers. 👶 #Podcast #BirthtoThree
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UCC Library @ucclibrary.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
A few photographs from yesterday’s plant care session. Library staff joined UCC Head Gardener Jack Murphy to re-pot plants, refresh soil and share tips on keeping indoor greenery thriving.
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Action for Happiness @actionhappiness.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Altruistic August - Day 18: Today do something to make life easier for someone else actionforhappiness.org/altruistic-a... #AltruisticAugust
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
This one-day conference is packed full of inspiring keynote speeches and workshops, designed to deepen your understanding of the importance of a Froebelian approach in the modern world. 🌿
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
We need your feedback! 🚨 Last month we released our pilot resource, Research Insights: Birth to Three, which offers summaries of evidence from our research and development projects. 🌿 We’d like to know what you think of the resources and whether they are helpful to your setting.
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Congratulations to Froebel Trust Online Course graduates around the globe! 🎓 A huge well done to the 54 dedicated participants who completed all six Elements of our online course. 👏 We welcomed learners from across the world– including USA, Greece, Malaysia, Taiwan & many from the UK and Ireland.
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Have you listened to our latest podcast episode, Let’s talk Birth to Three? 🤔 In episode 22, our expert panel explore why the period from birth to 36 months is so crucial and the influence educators of this group can have on a child’s development.
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Action for Happiness @actionhappiness.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
We all have the power to make someone’s day a little brighter. A thoughtful message, a helping hand or a moment of real listening make a bigger difference than we realise. And caring for others does us good too 💞 actionforhappiness.org/altruistic-a... #AltruisticAugust
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
In episode 22 of the Froebel Trust podcast, Dr Zeny Melissourgaki celebrates the launch of our Birth to Three Research Insights, by talking with a panel of experts on all thing’s babies and toddlers. 👶 Together they discuss the importance of listening to and developing practice with young children.
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
📅 Saturday 3 October 🕘 9.30am – 4pm 📍 John McIntyre Centre, Edinburgh Tickets are now available at £55, including lunch. More information and booking on our website. 🔗 bit.ly/4wmGccD #Froebel #FroebelTrust #EdinburghFroebelNetwork #EarlyYears #EarlyYearsLearning #ProfessionalDevelopment
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2026 Edinburgh Conference
Join us at the Edinburgh Froebel Network's 15th annual conference in partnership with the Froebel Trust.
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Fancy a day of learning all things Froebel, packed full of inspiring keynote speeches and workshops? 🤩 Join the Edinburgh Froebel Network and the Froebel Trust for the ‘Gifts for Our Future 15: 200 Years of Froebel’s Writing,’ a one-day conference for anyone working with young children. 🌿
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
“Even a few months later, it's a conference that continues to give me plenty to think about.” – Rhiannon Walsh, Early Years Educator Rhiannon recently attended the Froebel Trust April Conference, Involving, Informing and Inspiring and shared her reflections from the day. 🌿
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Tune into our new podcast episode - Birth to Three!🎙️ To celebrate the launch of our new Research Insights resource, Birth to Three, we have a brand-new podcast episode talking all things babies and toddlers. 👶
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
🔎 Resource spotlight: Playing with Power This guide aims to help educators recognise and extend habits in children’s free play and autonomy, which embrace diversity and inclusivity. 🌿 📖 You can find our free downloadable pamphlet on Playing with Power on our website. (1/2)
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Early Childhood Ireland @earlychildhoodireland.ie · 16/07/2026
“By prioritising this essential workforce, the Government has an opportunity to address the biggest issues in the system for employers, parents and critically, for children.” Read our latest press release to learn more about our #Budget2027 submission. buff.ly/h7VChJ7 #EndTheExodus
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Why are observations so important and what do they tell us about the children we work with? 💡 In this short film, Froebelian educators share the power of observing and how these observations can be used to extend children’s learning. 🌿 youtu.be/4jM74yVNfHM
youtu.be
The importance of observing
Why are observations so important and what do they tell us about the children we work with? In this short film, Froebelian educators share the power of observing and how these observations can be…
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Only nine places left for the 2026 Froebel Trust Online Course! 🌿 Now is the time to sign up and develop your practice and learn more about the Froebelian approach, with the course featuring practical advice and actionable steps.
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Have you seen our Research Insights, Birth to Three? 💡 Written by Dr Zeny Melissourgaki, the resources are designed to support educators working with babies & toddlers. They offer accessible summaries of evidence from Froebel Trust funded projects with implications for practice, policy & research.
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Why are slow, unhurried relationships so important for young children? 💡 In this short video, we explore how a Froebelian approach helps children to build strong connections to people, places and the world around them. youtu.be/zTOuLyPjCZ8 #Froebel #FroebelTrust #EarlyYears #EarlyYearsEducation
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Why are slow, unhurried relationships so important for young children?
In this short video, we explore how a Froebelian approach helps children to build strong connections to people, places and the world around them. See how warm, responsive interactions with…
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
“Play is not linear, it has layers, as you will see in the Reflection with Guidance tool and the book, Being and Becoming,” – Tina Bruce Our webinar that celebrated the launch of the book, Being and Becoming a Froebelian Community of Evidenced Practice, is now available to watch on our website. 🎉
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Today is #ThankYouDay and we want to give a big shoutout to everyone who supports the Froebel Trust, including our trustees, committee members, tutors, reviewers and associates. ✨ Thank you for all the time and expertise shared over the years that supported the growth of the Froebel Trust.
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
New resource for educators! 🚨 Introducing Research Insights, a new series offering accessible summaries of the evidence from Froebel Trust funded research and practice development projects. The first in the collection is Birth to Three.
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Action for Happiness @actionhappiness.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Resilience isn’t pretending things are fine or pushing through alone. It’s about caring for ourselves, connecting with others and taking helpful steps forward, even in difficult times #JumpBackUpJuly actionforhappiness.org/july
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
🔎 Resource Spotlight: Outdoor Play and Exploration 🌿 Create an outdoor area that provides rich, sensory first-hand experiences and offer opportunities to provide ‘Freedom with Guidance.’ 📖 You can find out free downloadable pamphlet on outdoor play and exploration on our website.
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Action for Happiness @actionhappiness.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Whatever you’re going through, keep going. Things can get better Image: www.instagram.com/suzyultman
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Centre for Research in Early Childhood @crecuk.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
The Froebel Partnership are delighted to invite you to their experiential book launch, a unique event bringing practice led research to life. To help us with planning, please RSVP: buff.ly/6KSsBgE #FroebelPartnership #FroebelTrust #BookLaunch
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Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
This week is the Early Years Alliance National Week of Play, with a focus on the importance of storytelling in the early years. ✨ Stories help young children… 🌍 Feel connected to the wider world 💡 Feel Inspired to do things for themselves 💚 Understand relationships 🎨 Express their creativity
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Action for Happiness @actionhappiness.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Joyful June - Day 26: Make time to do something playful, just for the fun of it actionforhappiness.org/joyful-june #JoyfulJune
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EECERA @eecera.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Unlocking Hidden Resources: Rethinking Early Childhood Education in Resource-Scarce Contexts. The first in our EECERA presenter series. buff.ly/BXoyTYD #EECERA2026 #EECERA #EarlyChildhood #EarlyEducation
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Unlocking Hidden Resources: Rethinking Early Childhood Education in Resource-Scarce Contexts - EECERA
Guest post by Lesley Wood and Mariëtte Koen Across the globe, early childhood education (ECE) is widely recognised as the foundation for lifelong learning, well-being, and sustainable development.…
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