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Professor Alison Clark

Professor Alison Clark

@westrayalison.bsky.social

610 followers 570 following 56 posts

Academic and visual artist; early childhood education; Mosaic approach; Slow pedagogies; Orkney; Norway. Author: Slow knowledge and the unhurried child (2023)
www.alisonclark.co.uk
Blog: Slow knowledge https://alisonclarkinthemaking.wordpress.com .. more

Education 42%

Sociology 17%

more

Posts Replies Media Videos

Professor Alison Clark @westrayalison.bsky.social · 21d

‘I’m going on a bear hunt’?#michaelrosen

Professor Alison Clark @westrayalison.bsky.social · Oct 8

So enjoyed Jane Clarke’s lecture about Block play and the history of the City and Country School. I was struck by how this learning community holds such accumulated knowledge about young children and play, the role of educators and materials. Jane’s choice of photographs demonstrated this well.

Reposted by Alison Clark

Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · Oct 7

Check out this wonderful image from the City and Country School archive showing children engaging in uninterrupted play through the use of blocks from 1951. Next to it is a more contemporary image of a 4 year old at the woodwork bench.

Two boys engage in uninterrupted block play in 1951.

Reposted by Alison Clark

Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · Oct 7

"[City and Country School] archives remind us of the value of uninterrupted play” – Jane Clarke
The past and present has come into play as our Autumn Lecture guest speaker, Jane shares the continuing legacy of the City and Country School in New York and its founder, Caroline Pratt. 🌿

Professor Alison Clark @westrayalison.bsky.social · Sep 21

@lbflyawayhome.bsky.social does this remind you of anything?

Ian Tattum @iantattum.bsky.social · Sep 21

Ivy

Professor Alison Clark @westrayalison.bsky.social · Sep 21

Like the cover of a Ladybird book!

Reposted by Alison Clark

Ian Tattum @iantattum.bsky.social · Sep 21

Ivy

Professor Alison Clark @westrayalison.bsky.social · Sep 13

Here is my favourite oak tree, all the more appreciated for being in Croydon

Professor Alison Clark @westrayalison.bsky.social · Sep 6

Feeling very lucky to have been able to spend time at Woodlands and work with this great team who provide such valuable experiences for young children

Professor Alison Clark @westrayalison.bsky.social · Sep 6

#AndyGoldsworthy exhibition at the @nationalgalleries.bsky.social Edinburgh - loved visiting today after decades of following his collaborations with the natural world. And the best part? Seeing and listening to young children being curious and enjoying the work

Reposted by Alison Clark

Woodlands ELC Centre & Hub @woodlandselcc.bsky.social · Sep 5

Fabulous days with @westrayalison.bsky.social
reflecting on Being Us @Woodlands
with lots of exploration around ‘stretched time’🍃
Wonderful to see children taking the lead sharing their off site, garden, playroom spaces & experiences + fantastic educator participation🪴
@froebeltrust.bsky.social

Reposted by Alison Clark

BERA @beranews.bsky.social · Sep 5

📝 New BERA Blog Special Issue!

Reimagining a just early childhood education and care sector in England: Voices from the margins
Guest edited by Micky LeVoguer, Jenny Robson, Gemma Ryder

Read special issue here: bera.ac.uk/blog-special...

Professor Alison Clark @westrayalison.bsky.social · Aug 22

Hoping you find it a helpful read, Alison

Professor Alison Clark @westrayalison.bsky.social · Jun 29

@wildflowerhour.bsky.social #Orkney #wildflowerhour
Alpine bistort in an ungrazed pasture this week.

Reposted by Alison Clark

womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · Jun 22

Iconic anti-war poster, originally by US printmaker Lorraine Schneider, 1966
#ReframingWomenPrintmakers

Yellow poster featuring a stylised sun flower to the left and black text tobthe right

Reposted by Alison Clark

UNICEF @unicef.org · Jun 11

Play is essential for children’s growth, skills building and confidence. But too many are missing out.

This #InternationalDayofPlay, let’s all choose play – every day. Together, we can raise awareness for every child's right to play.

#EarlyMomentsMatter

International Day of Play

Get fun and free play activities for the family and help us make sure that every child everywhere can fulfil their right to play

Reposted by Alison Clark

Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · Jun 11

Despite its many benefits, statistics show that the amount of time children get to play has been declining for decades.

Experimenting through play is at the heart of Froebelian practice and at the Froebel Trust we champion children’s play and learning. Today and every day. (2/3)

The power of play

www.froebel.org.uk

Reposted by Alison Clark

Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · Jun 11

“We can’t master our skills unless we have numerous times to do it. That’s the importance of uninterrupted play. It allows time to really connect up your learning.” ✨
This clip from Poppies PreSchool highlights the importance of allowing children time for uninterrupted play. 🧵 (1/3)

Professor Alison Clark @westrayalison.bsky.social · Jun 1

@bsbibotany.bsky.social A weekend happy Orchid hunting on Rousay #Orkney #wildflowerhour Marsh orchid and heath spotted orchid. Late flowering primroses and water avens

Reposted by Alison Clark

Joolone @joolone.bsky.social · May 31

I see Play’s

magnificent fusion of

thoughts, actions and discovery

as a form of thinking in itself.

A primal language simultaneously abstract and concrete,

relishing the unexpected,

loved by mind, heart and body,

and birthplace to innovation.

Professor Alison Clark @westrayalison.bsky.social · May 31

‘Singing and playing my own songs is like a holiday in music’. Great article.

Jeremy Benson @jembenson.bsky.social · May 30

“If I ever get stuck with a piece, I just think ‘What would Little E do?’”: I’ve only just got round to reading this great interview from @errollynwallen.bsky.social.

Errollyn Wallen reflects on her career

In the wake of receiving the Ivors Academy Fellowship, the Belize-born British composer discusses growing up in a musical family in Tottenham, how relocating to a lighthouse off the coast of Scotland ...

www.prestomusic.com

Reposted by Alison Clark

Jeremy Benson @jembenson.bsky.social · May 30

“If I ever get stuck with a piece, I just think ‘What would Little E do?’”: I’ve only just got round to reading this great interview from @errollynwallen.bsky.social.

Errollyn Wallen reflects on her career

In the wake of receiving the Ivors Academy Fellowship, the Belize-born British composer discusses growing up in a musical family in Tottenham, how relocating to a lighthouse off the coast of Scotland ...

www.prestomusic.com

Professor Alison Clark @westrayalison.bsky.social · May 30

Such a great idea to support professional reading- the gift of a book, sharing one change to your practice as a result of reading and then passing the book to a colleague

Reposted by Alison Clark

Melbourne Metrics @melbmetrics.bsky.social · May 28

Missed the recent @UniMelb Faculty of Education Dean's lecture? Prof. Guy Claxton challenges the idea of a single science of learning, weaving insights from neuroscience, sociology, philosophy & psychology. Teaching, he says, must embrace this complexity. #EdResearch www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGFE...

Dean's Lecture Series - Prof Guy Claxton on the Science of Learning

YouTube video by EducationMelbourne

www.youtube.com

Reposted by Alison Clark

Independent Food Aid Network @ifanuk.bsky.social · May 24

"If this government is serious in its commitment to the nation’s children, it can’t keep waiting for the stars to align before taking action. It must urgently invest in children and their families, starting with scrapping the two-child limit.” @cpaguk.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

No 10 delays child poverty strategy with tens of thousands more facing hardship

Exclusive: Flagship policy put back until at least autumn amid fears cost of removing two-child benefit cap will outweigh political benefit

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Alison Clark

Ruth Swailes @ruthswailes.bsky.social · May 19

In light of some recent nonsense, I’ve written about writing.

ruthswailes.com/whats-in-a-n...

What’s in a name? - Ruth Swailes

Last week I was told about an Ofsted inspector who had criticised a Nursery teacher for encouraging the children in her class (aged 3 and 4 years old) to write their names. I’m always willing to give ...

ruthswailes.com

Professor Alison Clark @westrayalison.bsky.social · Apr 28

Great to see All in the Mind is back and a very moving first episode

Professor Alison Clark @westrayalison.bsky.social · Apr 28

Great to see this project is being shared. Creative ways of engaging in slow practices.

Reposted by Alison Clark

Jonathan Clark @mallimack.bsky.social · Apr 22

Really chuffed to have a piece in @paperboatswriters.bsky.social new edition - out today at paperboats.org

Reposted by Alison Clark

Centre for Research in Early Childhood @crecuk.bsky.social · Apr 11

CREC are seeking to appoint a Course External Examiner for the MA Education (Early Years) accredited by Birmingham City University (BCU).

Register your interest with Helen Lyndon by Sunday, 30th April 2025. h.lyndon@crec.co.uk

#AcademicJobs #ExaminerJobs #MAExaminer #EarlyYears