About this Event
Join the Master Class Experience!
ILRF-EC (International Leadership Research Forum-EC) Leadership Master Classes are held in conjunction with the 10th Forum.
The four concurrent Master Classes will be facilitated by experts and leadership researchers.
These sessions are tailored for leaders in the Singapore EC sector, providing a platform for robust discussion of pressing leadership topics.
Title: Leadership in Early Childhood Education by Associate Professor Elina Fonsén
Synopsis:
This early childhood leadership workshop equips participants with the skills needed to develop and refine their leadership skills. The training expands the understanding of ECE leadership by exploring key tasks in early childhood education, including assessing and improving quality, leading operational culture, and applying principles and practices of pedagogical leadership. It also introduces the concepts of development planning as a means of enhancing early childhood quality education.
Title: Leading Professional Learning Communities as Adaptive Systems for Workplace Learning in Early Childhood Education by Associate Professor Hairon SALLEH
Synopsis
Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are vital in early childhood education, with centres establishing collaborative routines and inquiry. However, having PLC structures doesn't always lead to sustained learning, as collaboration can become procedural or compliance-based, limiting impact on practice. This Master Class redefines PLCs as adaptive systems for workplace learning, focusing on how leaders interpret and strengthen these processes. It has three parts: the first examines how learning occurs inside PLCs, emphasizing inquiry quality, dialogue norms, and reflection, including assessment as ongoing sense-making. The second explores how learning extends beyond groups, highlighting how knowledge becomes a shared organisational resource and how leaders judge when to connect learning across teams, with assessment focused on system-level contribution. The third discusses technology's role in supporting adaptive learning by enhancing continuity, visibility, and connection, while avoiding reinforcement of performative practices.
Title: Pedagogical Leadership and Play based learning by Professor Sue GRIESHABER & Professor Lennie BARBLETT
Synopsis:
In this interactive session participants can expect to be actively engaged and discuss big ideas related to play (including digital play), it’s importance in children’s learning, and pedagogical leadership. They will also probe, unpack, and extend understandings of a continuum of play (child directed play, child and teacher directed play, teacher directed play). In a more detailed focus on play-based learning, participants investigate the environment, pedagogies, the roles of adults, and documenting children’s learning. A critical reflection on the supports required for and the challenges of enacting pedagogical leadership for play-based learning draws from participants’ experiences and recent research literature.
Title: Cultivating Hearts & Minds: Building a supportive learning culture by Associate Professror SUM Chee Wah
Synopsis:
The workshop aims to help leaders build a workplace where educators and children thrive. An early childhood education centre’s culture affects the quality of learning. Teachers need to feel safe, valued, and supported to be their best. This four-hour workshop for preschool principals moves beyond management to embrace transformative leadership through the 'Cultivating Hearts and Minds' framework, focusing on Psychological Safety, Collaborative Practice, and Strengths-Based Leadership. Participants will learn how their leadership impacts the centre and leave with practical strategies to foster shared learning. Using reflective exercises, peer consultation, and tools, principals will develop a personalised, actionable plan.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Singapore University of Social Sciences, 463 Clementi Road, Clementi, Singapore
SGD 87.20
