Make sure to check out our calendar for Exploring Anti-racist Pedagogy! Don’t forget to register.
Category: Belonging
Early Learning and Child Care Enabling Accessibility Funds
The Government of Canada is accepting applications for the Early Learning and Child Care small projects component under the Enabling Accessibility Funds. “The Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) small projects component of the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) aims to improve accessibility and safety in regulated and/or licensed ELCC centres. This will help support children with disabilities, parents/guardians with disabilities and/or employees with disabilities. The goal is to ensure that all Canadian families have access to high-quality, affordable and inclusive early learning and child care.”
The deadline to apply is January 28, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. See the Government of Canada website for more details: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/funding/enabling-accessibility-fund-early-learning-child-care.html
There’s still time to register!
There’s still time to register!
Cultivating Hope: Critical Conversations in the Early Years
Volunteer Facilitators Wanted!
Save the Date!
Save the Date: Cultivating Hope Virtual Speaker Series
What future are we nurturing for our children and families? We invite you to join us for a speaker series to engage in critical conversations that support early learning in Northwestern Ontario. Our speakers will lead us through inspirational conversations in a safe place where we can think, discuss, and question our ideas.
Karyn Callaghan & Kelly Massaro-Joblin: How Does Learning Happen?
November 10, 2021 @ 2pm & 7pm EST
Harper Keenan: Gender and Freedom in Young Children’s Lives
November 17, 2021 @ 2pm & 7pm EST
Tamara Bernard: Strengthening Indigenous Trauma-Informed Approaches
November 25, 2021 @ 2pm & 7pm EST
Aynsley Klassen: Nurturing Futures in the Face of Climate Change
December 1, 2021 @ 10am EST
December 2, 2021 @ 7pm EST
Carly Brown: Tools for Well-Being: For Yourself and the Children
December 8, 2021 @ 7pm EST
December 9, 2021 @ 2pm EST
More information to come!
Communicating with Parents During the Pandemic
We wanted to say a special thank you to Ari Vainio and Jaymie Rusnak for hosting a conversation on communicating with parents during COVID-19. Ari and Jaymie had many clever ideas to support communication with families during these trying times. One unique example is their “virtual playdates”. Ari and Jaymie have scheduled times where families can pop in on Zoom and have a virtual visit in the program. This allows parents to get acquainted with the environment where their child spends so much of their day, and to meet some of the other children that their child plays with. Another creative idea that they shared was offering parents the option of going for a social-distanced walk (when the public health direction allows). Ari and Jaymie shared that they would go for social-distanced walks throughout the Lakehead University campus with families as a way of getting to know each other better. This provided families with a sense of comfort and trust in knowing who they are leaving their child with each day.
While there were many great ideas shared throughout the conversation, we were still left feeling like it wasn’t enough, and that we wish we could have a closer relationship with families right now. This presented as a good reminder for all of us that we are doing the best we can in the circumstances that we are dealt with currently.
Let us know how you’ve been connecting with families in the comments below.
Does learning about anti-Black racism count as a professional learning activity? Absolutely!
Did you know that February is Black History Month? We would like to share with you this article from the College of ECE’s Publication Connexions: Does learning about anti-Black racism count as a professional learning activity? Absolutely! Please click HERE to read the article.
This article discusses the importance of listening to the voices and learning from experiences of Black members of communities as a foundational component of anti-bias and anti-racism work. It also encourages members of the college to consider choosing learning about anti-Black racism as part of your Continuous Professional Learning.
Keep in mind that anti-racism work should take place all year and is part of our ethical work as Registered Early Childhood Educators. The Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice Indicates, “The College has a legislated mandate ‘to establish and enforce professional standards and ethical standards that are applicable to members of the College and that demonstrate a respect for diversity and a sensitivity to the multicultural character of the Province’ (ECE Act, 2007).” Please click HERE to view The College’s Statement of Commitment to Anti-Racism.
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