“Listening is a complex state. It involves the abandoning of oneself as we come to know that we are only one being within this vast universe”
CARLINA RINALDI, 2001
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Category: Cooks
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.
International Women’s Day
Did you know that 97% of Canada’s early learning and child care workforce are women? We wanted to take the time today to say how grateful we are to work alongside so many amazing women who are supporting children and families in our community!
What story could you tell?
The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board recently offered a survey regarding staff well-being. Some of the feedback from this survey was to support staff through re-connecting and opportunities to support mental health.
We know that many of the staff working in child care and EarlyON programs in our communities have strengths and talents to inspire, showcase, and bring comfort to others. Do you or does your centre have a skill to share? A story to tell? Perhaps you have a colleague that has a gift that you recognize others should see. Whether it’s documentation, cooking, crafting, or storytelling, we would like to hear what you could share virtually among our community!
Submit your idea to us at early.years@tbdssab.ca
Virtual Yoga with Kimberly Veneziale
On February 25, the TBDSSAB is hosting a 1-hour gentle yoga class with Kimberly Veneziale. Kimberly is a fun and energetic yoga instructor. She has been certified since 2013 and has been spreading peace, kindness and relaxation to the community of Thunder Bay ever since.
If you are new to yoga, we still encourage you to join us… take time for you, rejuvenate, and at the very least Kimberly never fails to make her yogis laugh!
This class is free of charge and more information can be found on our Calendar of events.
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Season’s Greetings!
Returning to Child Care: Preparing ourselves and our children
Children’s Centre Thunder Bay has created a video called Returning to Child Care; Preparing ourselves and our children. This video has been uploaded to the CCTB website and can be accessed using the link below:
http://www.childrenscentre.ca/en/developmental-services/preschool-assessment-consultation-program
The video is a 30 minute presentation for families when introducing a child to the early learning environment in the age of COVID-19. It focuses on building new life-skills with children and encouraging open and respectful communication between caregivers and staff in the context of a constantly changing situation.
Please feel free to share this link with families.
Online Professional Learning Opportunities
Are you looking for ways to keep busy while social distancing? Below is a list of websites and webinars that may be of interest to you or your staff.
- Child Care E-Module: Putting How Does Learning Happen? into Practice: Program Expectations for Licensed Child Care. This E-Module will assist early years professionals to understand connections between How Does Learning Happen and the new program related requirements under the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014.
- Child Development Resource Connection Peel https://www.cdrcp.com/professional-education-opportunity
- Crisis and Trauma Resource Institute https://ca.ctrinstitute.com/resources/
- Unlock the Potential of Food in the Child Care & School Environments: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3094449428765642497
- Diving Deeper Into Canada’s New Food Guide: https://register.gotowebinar.com/recording/6918661926525609730
- Indigenous Food and Culture in the School Environment: https://register.gotowebinar.com/recording/1118685307013840129
- Early Childhood Webinars https://www.earlychildhoodwebinars.com (CHECK OUT THE ARCHIVED SECTION)
- NAEYC https://naeyc.org/events/trainings-webinars/recorded-webinars (Check out the archived section)
- Canadian Child Care Federation – two free webinars https://www.cccf-fcsge.ca/topics/nature-and-outdoor-play/
- Child Care and Early Years Act Self-assessment tool http://www.earlyyears.edu.gov.on.ca/EYPortal/en/ChildCareLicensing/CCEYASelfTest/index.htm
- Food Handlers Course https://foodsafetyonline.ca/food-handler-course
Storing and Preparing Breast Milk
Families attending child care may choose to provide expressed breast milk or formula for their child(ren). When this is the case, staff must ensure that they are storing and serving these items safely and hygienically.
According to p.7 of How Does Learning Happen?, “Families love their children and want the best for them. Families are experts on their children. They are the first and most powerful influence on children’s learning, development, health, and well-being. Families bring diverse social, cultural, and linguistic perspectives. Families should feel that they belong, are valuable contributors to their children’s learning, and deserve to be engaged in a meaningful way.” Supporting families’ decisions around feeding fosters all of the Four Foundations (Belonging, Well-Being, Engagement, Expression).
Below are two resources that can be shared with all staff who may serve breast milk to children about how to safely and hygienically store and serve breast milk. These resources can easily be posted in the programs as a visual reminder for educators on the guidelines around storing and preparing breast-milk. The source of this information is the Best Start resource Breastfeeding Matters (L’allaitement ça compte) and the second resource is also from Best Start, Expressing and Storing Breast Milk.
Families may also choose to provide infant formula for their child at child care. The instructions for preparing and serving formula are included on the packaging. Here is a resource from Best Start called Infant Formula: What You Need to Know. This resource has information about safely and hygienically preparing, serving, and storing formula.
If programs or staff have additional questions about feeding, how to safely store breast milk, they can view the above PDFs for free at the link provided, or contact the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. Be sure to also check out the Best Start website for other resources for families at your centre on child health and development.