Piazza ORA – Re-cognizing the Morning Gathering

March 3, 2020August 31, 2021Leave a comment

The Ontario Reggio Association (ORA), in partnership with Reggio Children, has organized opportunities for a group of members to learn together in “ZOOM” gatherings with Tiziana Filippini. This opportunity begins next week, however there are still a few spaces available.

“Participants will research one aspect of theory-in-practice together, so conversation in our online gatherings can be focussed. Tiziana’s suggestion of the assembly – the time in the day when the whole group gathers to revisit what is “in play” as the metaphorical ball goes back and forth among and between children and educators, engage in conversation and plan the day – resonated with us. We recognize the potential for this focus to open consideration of how we support conversation with and among children, how we invite and provoke and sustain their engagement with ideas and materials, how we build a group every day, and how documentation reveals our thinking and being. Although infant-toddler centres and preschools here often include “circle time”, the idea of a morning assembly (perhaps we might call it a daily reunion – coming together again as one) is less common. We would like to invite educators to come together in a virtual piazza to interrogate the way we typically organize the day with and for children. We know that documentation is central to this research into our thinking and practice, and sharing it so we can think together is essential.”

Here is an outline of what the ORA is thinking:

4 Zoom Meetings with Tiziana Filippini – 12:30 – 2:30pm
4 Zoom Meetings with ORA only – 6:30 – 8:00pm
Must be a Member of ORA (a one-year membership is $25 and information can be found here: https://ontarioreggioassociation.ca/membership/)

For more information see the attached photo or visit the ORA website: https://ontarioreggioassociation.ca/product/piazza-ora-re-cognizing-the-morning-gathering/

Eye See Eye Learn

November 25, 2019August 31, 2021Leave a comment

“Each year, thousands of children start school without ever having an eye exam. Parents often believe that their child will let them know that they cannot see well, but children are rarely able to tell that they have poor vision because they have nothing to compare it to. That’s why we recommend that all children have their first eye exam at 6 months old, again at 2-3 years old, and every year after that. In Ontario, yearly eye exams for children are covered by OHIP until they turn 20 years old” (www.eyeseeeyelearn.ca)

Click on the links below for information to post in your programs to make families aware of this wonderful program.

English

French

Water Safety

July 29, 2019August 31, 2021Leave a comment

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.

May 2, 2019August 31, 2021Leave a comment

I had the pleasure of attending a presentation given by two educators at Schoolhouse Playcare Centre. These educators shared an interesting journey that they’ve had in the preschool room about doors. It was incredible to see how the educators extended this interest and acted as co-learners with the children.

The two educators truly embraced the inquiry process. Through their observations, they determined the children were curious about doors. They planned for new ways of exploring doors throughout the program such as in the art and blocks areas, and they created documentation to educate families and community members about the learning, interests, and questions they’ve been exploring. Some exciting highlights were:

they had families bring in photos of their doors from home
they had parents and grandparents help to add a door with hinges, doorknobs, and a doorbell to the dramatic play area, and;
they added door handles and real tools to the play environment for children to explore and manipulate

Thank you for the hard work you are doing with the children and families at Schoolhouse Playcare Centre. You have truly fostered the four foundations throughout this journey and it’s great to see the creative ways that families have been engaged along the way. Additionally, thank you to Wanda for inviting me to attend this presentation; attending these types of events is one of the best ways for us to build positive relationships with educators.

HDLH Bus Tour

April 29, 2019August 31, 2021Leave a comment

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 DOES PLAY 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?”

Supporting Sacred Teachings

February 15, 2019August 31, 2021Leave a comment

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).

Here are some book suggestions provided by Lynda:

Yuck Science!

October 25, 2018August 31, 2021Leave a comment

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!

Engagement

September 19, 2018August 31, 2021Leave a comment

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)

Exploring Anishnawbemowin with Children

May 3, 2018August 31, 2021Leave a comment

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.

http://www.kwayaciiwin.com/

https://wbe-education.ca/schools/hubcentre/

Loose Parts Bank

April 18, 2018August 31, 2021Leave a comment

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.