It’s great to see that many programs are taking advantage of the beautiful weather we’ve been having this summer! With that being said, please remember that water play can be very dangerous for young children.
We are encouraging you to have a look at the resources below and to share this information with parents and caregivers. Even if your program is not partaking in water play, families may be visiting pools, splash pads, and lakes throughout the summer.
We had an incredible time with everyone who came out to the HDLH Bus Tour on Saturday. Child care and EarlyON educators mingled together, shared ideas, observed, inquired, and (best of all) enjoyed some WHEELY awesome bus jokes!
Thank you to everyone who participated, and to all of those who helped to make this event possible. A special thank you to the four operators who took part in our planning committee and offered to host the tour at their centres. An additional thank you to our incredible bus driver, Kirk, who was a team player and kept us laughing all throughout the day!
The first stop was at the Sherbrooke EarlyON where we were inspired by the many ways to incorporate loose parts into the environment. Educators looked closely around the environment, and many were inspired by the bulletin board that read “WHAT DOESPLAY MEAN TO YOU?”
Next, we headed to Rural Roots where the educators had presented a multitude of displays and invitations to play. Several educators took a liking to the way natural elements and real materials were used to extend classic learning opportunities. For example, using a real log for the Five Green and Speckled Frogs.
We FUELED the educators up with lunch, and headed to our next stop – Abiinojiishiik-amino-yawook. Here, educators were offered a traditional experience through a smudging and drumming ceremony that was followed by an opportunity to taste bannock and cedar tea. Miigwetch!
Last, but not least, we arrived at Nanabijou. Here, the educators from Nanabijou were excited to share their talents with us. As we made our way through the centre, we discovered the concept of ateliers and observed new ideas for incorporating nature into the program.
Below is a snapshot of some of the learning that took place throughout the day:
“I was able to gain a new understanding of how educators foster the 4 foundations through materials and how to extend children’s learning through the use of loose parts”
“I enjoyed how the EarlyON Centres celebrate their families and I feel I can build upon these ideas and traditions.”
“I really enjoyed the indigenous teachings. I will be able to bring these new ideas back to our program and learn with our families.”
“Documentation doesn’t have to be difficult, it can be very simple.”
“Great to see different views. Can we network more often?”
Child care and EarlyON educators had a lovely time this week at the Supporting Sacred Teachings Make and Take. A special thank you to Lynda Banning, FASD Regional Program Worker with Anishinabek Nation, who shared her knowledge and culture with us. We appreciate your guidance and support as we work to provide inclusive and respectful environments for young children.
Some of the highlights from the workshop were when Lynda shared with us teachings about the medicine wheel, allowed us to explore the four medicines, and provided materials to create tobacco ties. Additionally, Lynda talked about the Seven Grandfather Teachings and how we can teach children honesty, humility, love, respect, truth, bravery, and wisdom. To compliment the Seven Grandfather Teachings, the educators created stones to represent these sacred teachings that can be used throughout their programs. For example, educators might use these stones for storytelling, teaching, or displaying. There are endless possibilities for these beautiful and special manipulatives. See the photos below for some of the amazing creations from the workshop.
Thanks again Lynda. The resources, support, and teachings you’ve provided are infinitely valuable in providing programming that fosters the Four Foundations (belonging, engagement, well-being, and expression).
We had a blast at the Yuck Science workshop this morning with Emily Kerton, Senior Scientist at Science North. Emily provided us with many great icky, sticky, and gooey ideas to share with the children, along with some fun vocabulary – viscosity, scat, and non-Newtonian fluid.
See the Educator Resources page for some great resources to share with educators and families!
There is a lot of fantastic work happening in our community and there is no shortage of talent and creativity among our early years sector. Have a look at some of the amazing activities below that are engaging the minds of young learners throughout the District of Thunder Bay. Consider how these activities reflect the four foundations of How Does Learning Happen.
As an example, the foundation Engagement encourages educators to facilitate opportunities for children to learn through exploration, play, and inquiry. Furthermore, “the environment plays a key role in the quality of children’s exploration and play. Indoor and outdoor spaces, materials, and furnishings (including how they are positioned), accommodations to ensure equitable learning opportunities and participation for children with special needs, as well as the general design of the space, and the organization of time, all have a significant influence on children’s level of engagement and the possibilities for in-depth exploration and learning” (HDLH, 2014, p. 36).
We encourage you to reflect on your programs using the questions below. Additionally, you may be interested in sharing these at a staff meeting or having educators reflect in a journal. We also welcome you to share your reflections with us if you would like us to reflect with you.
Questions for Reflection:
If we see all children as curious, competent, and capable of complex thinking, how will this be reflected in the environment?
How could greater complexity and challenge be integrated into the environment? (p. 39)
Consider how the environment and experiences that you provide for children engage them. What draws them in?
What areas of the environment do not attract children? Why might this be? What changes might be needed? (p. 39)
Special thanks to Alanna Mamakeesick, from Little Lions Child and Family Centre, for her guidance with today’s professional learning session. Alanna shared with educators simple strategies to incorporate Anishnawbemowin (Ojibwe) language into their programs. This was a make-and-take session and participants were able to make resources to take with them to enhance the cultural aspects of their programs. A wonderful morning was had by everyone who attended.
Also, a big thank you to Debbie at CTC for assisting with printing and laminating. We appreciate all the help and resources that CTC has to offer to our community!
For additional resource information follow the links below.
Communities Together for Children is excited to introduce their new Loose Parts Bank where educators can give unwanted materials and take materials that can be used in their programs for a variety of purposes. This is a great way to put into practice some of the ideas from the Loose Parts books that we gave out earlier this year.
Daly and Beloglovsky define loose parts as “alluring, beautiful found objects and materials that children can move, manipulate, control and change while they play. Children can carry, combine, redesign, line up, take apart, and put loose parts back together in almost endless ways. The materials have no specific set of directions, and they can be used alone or combined with other materials” (2015, p. 3).
Please see HERE for more information about CTC’s Loose Parts Bank.
We had tons of fun yesterday with Emily Kerton at our Science North workshop. Emily put us all to work by sending us on scavenger hunts, playing with polymer, and doing science experiments. The educators left with lots of great ideas and resources to bring back to their programs. See the Educator Resources page for some of the activities Emily shared.
Additionally, Emily let us know that she is available to go in to programs. Science North has many great opportunities for children such as their portable planetarium and live critters (painted turtle, snakes, and geckos). You can contact Emily at (807) 333-3701 for more information on how to make this possible at your centre.
Thank you to all of the educators who were able to join us. It was nice to see everyone!
This week, we want to take the time to acknowledge a big achievement for Early Childhood Educators in Thunder Bay. Last week, for ECE Appreciation Day, the Thunder Bay City Hall held a short ceremony, followed by a flag raising, to acknowledge the invaluable role that ECEs hold in our community. See the photos below for a glimpse of this wonderful event.
Thank you to all the educators who came out to join us for the Nutrition Make and Take yesterday! Megan Bellinger, public health dietitian, and her student, Ferran, inspired us with the information they provided on gardening with children and promoting vegetables and fruits in child care settings. We were also spoiled by Megan with a fruit tasting to start off our day. Megan shared with us a variety of unique fruits, including dragonfruit, nectarines, and Asian pears.
After learning some new tips and tricks to bring back to the program, the educators were given some time to create a variety of resources! We had fun making puzzles, matching games, and lacing activities. See below for a sneak peek of what we got up to yesterday.
Also, a big thank you to Deb at CTC for assisting with the die presses and the laminating. We appreciate all the help and resources that CTC has to offer to our community!
The feedback that we received from this session was very positive and one educator wrote, “Awesome presenters. Lots of knowledge/engaging/inspiring. Great time of year to offer this. Loved having time to make resources. Thank you!” We are thrilled that this style of session was such a hit and we look forward to offering another make-and-take session in the fall!
