Facilitator: Dr Rita Melia
Dr Rita Melia is a lecturer in Early Childhood Education and Care at Atlantic Technological University Galway and Mayo. Rita is passionate about quality early childhood education and care, she has worked in practice, research and policy over the last thirty years.
Inspired by the work of Loris Malaguzzi and the Infant Toddler Centers of Reggio Emilia, Rita comes from a rights based perspective where young children are celebrated as competence, curious, creative, democratic citizens, with a hundred languages and multiple intelligences.
One of Rita’s current interests is in the area of blue and green spaces for learning, particularly, ocean literacy and sustainable education. In Ireland where 40% of the population 1.9 million people live within 5km of the ocean, the beach and sea shore, Rita suggests, is the most natural playground all across the life course.
Date: Thursday, 7th May 2026, 7pm to 8:30pm.
Cost: Free