What if the Learning Story you are already writing could do much more?

Learning Stories have stood the test of time because they are more than a record of what happened. They are a powerful, authentic way of making children’s learning visible — and, when written intentionally, they can serve multiple purposes across an early learning setting.

In this interactive workshop, we will spotlight the many purposes of a Learning Story: capturing significant learning, making children’s progress visible over time, informing planning and intentional teaching, and demonstrating the professional knowledge and decision-making of teachers. We will explore how Learning Stories can provide meaningful evidence of the Teaching Profession Standards and contribute to demonstrating the Licensing Criteria — without turning assessment into a compliance exercise.

Grounded in Te Whāriki, Learning Stories provide a narrative approach that honours children as capable and competent learners and captures learning in context, relationships and culture. Rather than creating multiple layers of paperwork for different purposes, we will explore how one well-crafted Learning Story can work hard for children, teachers, whānau and the wider professional context.

As Margaret Carr reminds us:

“Learning stories are stories of learning, not stories of children.”

Come and rediscover the power of the Learning Story — and see how a well-crafted story can capture learning, show progress, inform planning, demonstrate professional practice and meet regulatory expectations, all at the same time.

Roberta Skeoch brings a wealth of experience and a passion for early childhood education. Her journey in early childhood began over 30 years ago, inspired by the complex learning she observed after enrolling her eldest child in Te Kōhanga Reo. This led her to complete a Diploma of ECE at Waiariki Polytech.

After graduating, Roberta spent 12 years as a kaiako, specialising in working with older children on project-based learning and inquiries. In 2015, she transitioned to a lecturing role at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, teaching on the Bachelor of Education (ECE). It was here, while completing an Adult Teaching qualification, that she recognized Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum, as a universal "learners curriculum" applicable to all ages, and she continues to let its principles guide her practice through her role as Pouako whakaako with Educational Leadership Project. A devoted parent and nanny to four mokopuna, Roberta is guided by the unconditional love and support exemplified by her own grandfather, Kapiti Hamiora.