The Huesca Congress Palace Brought Together More Than 750 Education Professionals
The Huesca Congress Palace transformed this Saturday into a true space for educational reflection with the celebration of the Summit on Early Childhood Education 0-6, an event organized by the Government of Aragon and the Huesca City Council, sponsored by Fundación Ibercaja and Editorial Edelvives, which gathered more than 750 teachers from across the community. Under the slogan “Very Important Peques / Very Important Profes”, the meeting became a forum for innovation and creativity around the initial educational stage, that range from 0 to 6 years old, which, as highlighted by the experts and institutional representatives present, is key for the integral development of children. The Summit also received support from the Aragonese Institute for Women and the State Pact against Gender Violence.
The Most Important Stage in a Child’s Life
The Minister of Education, Culture, and Sport, Tomasa Hernández, was the one to inaugurate the congress. In her speech, she emphasized that this stage is the most important in a child’s life because it lays the emotional, social, and affective foundations that will shape their future. She noted that the Aragonese Government is reinforcing its commitment to early education and announced the extension of free schooling to the 2 to 3-year-old age group, a step that, in her words, responds to the desire to guarantee equal opportunities from the start. Hernández also wanted to acknowledge the efforts of Aragonese families, who are enrolling their children earlier not only for work-life balance reasons but also because they believe that early childhood education offers irreplaceable educational benefits.
In this same vein, the minister highlighted the role of early childhood educators, whom she described as essential figures in the lives of young children. Her remarks coincided with those of the mayor of Huesca, Lorena Orduna, who thanked the professionals for their constant efforts to stay updated and adapt to new methodologies. Orduna emphasized the importance of training not only in pedagogical techniques but also in emerging areas such as mental health and child wellbeing. The mayor also recalled that early childhood schools play a key role in family reconciliation, as families depend on these centers to manage their work lives, and therefore, it is essential to guarantee a quality educational offering with well-prepared human resources.
A “Magical” Stage According to the President
The meeting also featured a message from the President of Aragon, Jorge Azcón, who thanked the participants for their commitment and vocation. Azcón defined the stage of early childhood education as “magical” and described educators as “true artisans” of that magic, since with every gesture, word, or activity, they leave a profound mark on children. Azcón encouraged the attendees to share experiences, emotions, and good practices during the congress, reminding them that every moment in the classroom is an opportunity to inspire and accompany their students in the early steps of their personal development.
Innovation, Creativity, and Emotion as Driving Forces
The Summit program was filled with diverse content revolving around innovation, creativity, and emotion as driving forces of learning. A round table featuring Minister Hernández, Mayte Santos from Fundación Ibercaja, and Alejandro Cebrián, General Director of Edelvives, allowed for an analysis of early childhood education from various perspectives: institutional, social, and editorial. In that conversation, they concurred on the necessity of investing in flexible approaches that are open to creation and adapted to the challenges of the 21st century. Italian psychopedagogue Francesco Tonucci also participated, sending a message emphasizing that the education of young children should not focus on accumulating content but on providing them the opportunity to explore, collaborate, and express themselves through multiple languages such as drawing, music, play, cooking, or even gardening.
Literacy, Diversity, and Mathematics
In the segment titled “VIP to VIP,” various experts addressed crucial topics for early childhood education. In the realm of literacy, Sagrario Peña and Sylvia Defior shared strategies for developing reading and writing, as well as intervention methods for cases of specific learning difficulties. Regarding attention to diversity, Marta Obispo and Sandra Cañón insisted on the importance of inclusive methodologies and collaboration with families to effectively meet the needs of all types of students. Lastly, in the area of manipulative mathematics, Javier Bernabéu and José Ángel Murcia presented experiences demonstrating how the use of active methodologies and manipulative materials promotes a deep and meaningful understanding of logical and mathematical concepts.
Music as a Pedagogical Resource
One of the most celebrated workshops was led by María José Sánchez, who explored music as a pedagogical resource. Through practical dynamics of body percussion, singing, active listening, and instrument construction, attendees experienced music from their own bodies. The objective, Sánchez explained, is for music to cease being viewed as an isolated discipline and become a transversal resource that stimulates cognitive and emotional development, as well as serving as an immediate tool for classroom work.
The afternoon was dedicated to showcasing innovative practices in the space titled “Everything to 10.” Educators from various Aragonese centers presented projects that have led to significant improvements in their classrooms thanks to creativity and innovation. Among the participants were Ana Rojo de la Vega (Escuelas Pías Escolapios Zaragoza), Carolina Calvo García (CRA Bajo Gállego), Vanesa Marín Salcedo (Municipal Nursery School Las Pajaritas de Huesca), and Ángela Velayos Pastrana (CEIPSO Santo Ángel de la Guarda). To conclude this segment, CEIP El Parque de Huesca offered a concert as a result of its experimental curricular integration program in music, an initiative aimed at equipping students with artistic skills and facilitating their access to professional studies in this discipline.
Albert Espinosa Delivered the Final Talk
The closure of the congress was marked by the intervention of writer and screenwriter Albert Espinosa, who, with his talk «If You Believe in Dreams, They Will Come True,» provided an inspiring perspective on education.
