An unconscious bias is a social stereotype formed outside of conscious awareness. We all hold unconscious beliefs which are not compatible with our conscious values. Barb and Ann will help us to understand unconscious bias, where it comes from, and why it is important to be aware of it. In this interactive workshop, we will learn to recognize and address unconscious bias within ourselves, our peers and the community. We will also highlight the importance of our influence on children as they develop their own attitudes and beliefs.
Cost $45.00 / 3 PD hours
To register call 902-893-3342

Facilitated by

SJ Jones & Emily Martinello

In this interactive workshop SJ Jones & Emily Martinello offer information about the categories of trauma with a focus on intergenerational & cultural trauma, effects of trauma on children & families, attachment theory, microaggressions, & our role as Early Childhood Educators as supports. Together, we will map out the far reaching effects of trauma in family units to help us better understand our own biases. 

Objectives: Participants will 

·Understand how intergenerational trauma can impact parenting

·Understand the role of Early Childhood Educators in supporting children & families who have experienced trauma

Registration for our MSVU workshops, along our PD brochure with full workshops details, descriptions and presenter bios is found online  www.msvu.ca/earlychildhoodworkshops   

Research shows that one in five Canadians have a mental heath problem. This means that almost 20% of
students deal with some type of mental health issue-making it difficult for them to learn, thrive, or behave
appropriately. This workshop will address several mental health issues-including ADHD, Oppositional
Defiance, Autism, Anxiety & Complex Trauma/Traumatic Stress- and discuss the behavioural challenge they
may present.
Through group discussions, videos, media clips and first hand experience; Karen & Colin will discuss various
signs and symptoms of mental health disorders, brainstorm classroom intervention and will discuss
appropriate responses and interventions needed in working with early childhood mental health issues.
Focus will be on how we build resilience through attachment/attunement as caregivers, teach better self
regulation to help with anger coping and addressing lagging skills in social relationships. Additionally,
conversations will be had around ways to end mental health stigmas in the classroom and provide an overall
understanding of how untreated mental health can impact both short and long term functioning and what
we as early childhood educators and advocates can do to help.

Facilitators: Colin Morrison & Karen Carey
Cost: $69.00 (tax included) and lunch provided
Preregistration is required - submit your ECDSC registration form along with payment by May 17.
For more information please see attached flyer or contact Katrina George at (902) 597 4406 or [email protected]

Tuesday, May 28, 7-9 PM
$50


Have you ever shaped clay and felt its cool, smooth, moist texture take form? Have you casted your clay in plaster and then painted your creation? Older preschoolers and school age children love this multi-sensorial process and project! Join artist and educator Priya Andrade as she guides you into turning a boring lump of clay into a beautiful sculpture. No art experience necessary! You will leave with a finished product and knowledge of a process you can share with children.

Presenter: Priya Andrade is a Goan-Canadian mother and artist who delights in children’s imaginations. She incorporates the Reggio pedagogy in her art classes and maintains her own art practice. You can follow her on [email protected]

Register

Session 2 (for leaders) Room C119

Module 3: Exploring our Early Years Practices and Connecting them to Capable, Confident and Curious: Nova Scotia’s Early Learning Curriculum Framework.

Early years practices vary widely across our province, and yet we all have something in common: A desire to provide the best programs possible for all our children. What does the Framework say about putting our good intentions into practice? What does this look like in our everyday work?
In this module, educators will examine six aspects of the Framework: Responsiveness to Children, Intentional Teaching, Relationships with people, materials and the world, Connecting our Image of the Child to what we actually do, Play as a way of Learning, and the Role of Families, Community and Culture. All of these aspects can be tied in concrete ways to our everyday work with children, and we will use activities and dialogue – including the Reflective Planning Cycle - to assist with making these topics come to life.
Leaders will also engage with these topics, but in addition will have the opportunity to consider how to support such practices in the workplace, how to bring families into decision-making processes, the development of communities of practice as a support system, and the role of pedagogical leadership as our classroom practices begin to shift and adjust.

Module 4: The Learning Environment and how it Supports Children’s Thinking, Ideas, and Engagement

This module will examine not only the physical environment (i.e. materials, furniture and space) but also the ‘non-visible’ aspects of the spaces where we work with children. How does an environment help to build relationships? Include all children and their interests and diversities? Encourage innovative thinking, for both children and adults? How does it make our philosophies visible?
Educators will consider all these questions with the goal of adjusting both indoor and outdoor environments in response to children, providing invitations that scaffold their thinking and learning, considering the role of beauty in our environments, and developing inquiries with children where the environment plays the important role of ‘third teacher,’ along with their families and their communities.
Leaders will consider the same topics, while also considering ‘whole centre’ aspects of the environment, how to include families and community, and how to develop an environment that supports a culture of reflection and innovation for their staff.

This session is being hosted by the Early Childhood Development Support Centre Cumberland Campus. Please contact [email protected] or (902) 597 4406 for more details.

Facilitated by Karen Carey and Colin Morrison

The purpose of this workshop is to help early childhood educators further their awareness into children’s stress, & the impact high stress has on one’s emotional well-being. Or goal is to explore the difference between stress, trauma; normal stress & over-stressed. We also plan on teaching strategies & coping skills that assist children with day –to-day- struggles & high level of unrelieved stress.

Objectives:

·Explore the similarities & difference between “typical or normal” stress, traumatic stress, & anxiety/worry;

·Consider the impact stress, trauma & anxiety can have on a child’s well being & daily functioning:

·Teach some available strategies & coping skills that may help support children with day to day struggles & managing all types of stress, from typical to traumatic & everything in between.

Registration for our MSVU workshops, along our PD brochure with full workshops details, descriptions and presenter bios is found online  www.msvu.ca/earlychildhoodworkshops   

9 AM to 4 PM Lunch included
Exploring our Early Years Practices and Connecting them to Capable, Confident and Curious: Nova Scotia’s Early Learning Curriculum Framework
Early years practices vary widely across our province, and yet we all have something in common: A desire to provide the best programme possible for all our children. What does the Framework say about putting our good intentions into practice? What does this look like in our everyday work?
In this module, educators will examine six aspects of the Framework: Responsiveness to Children, Intentional Teaching, Relationships with people, materials and the world, Connecting our Image of the Child to what we do, Play as a way of Learning, and the Role of Families, Community and Culture. These aspects can be tied in concrete ways to our everyday work with children, and we will use activities and dialogue – including the Reflective Planning Cycle - to assist with making these topics come to life.

The Learning Environment and how it Supports Children’s Thinking, Ideas, and Engagement
This module will examine not only the physical environment (i.e. materials, furniture and space) but also the ‘non-visible’ aspects of the spaces where we work with children. How does an environment help to build relationships? Include all children and their interests and diversities? Encourage innovative thinking, for both children and adults? How does it make our philosophies visible?
Educators will consider all these questions with the goal of adjusting both indoor and outdoor environments in response to children, providing invitations that scaffold their thinking and learning, considering the role of beauty in our environments, and developing inquiries with children where the environment plays the important role of ‘third teacher,’ along with their families and their communities.

9 AM to 4 PM lunch included


Image of the Child
It is an exciting time in the N.S. early childhood field! Our new curriculum framework is here, ready to be used in ECE settings around the province. Are you familiar with it, and the many ways in which it might be used? This module - Using your Image of the Child in your Daily Practice - will uncover the possibilities for using the first part of the Framework, and also the 'why' of being able to use your Image of the Child in practical ways. Join us for this interactive session that will be the foundation for the rest of the Framework.

Tuesday, June 4 . 7- 9 pm

$40.00
Successful toddler learning centres are set up with the children’s interests and developmental needs in mind.
Participants will explore how schemas can influence toddler exploration and play and use this understanding to consider the kinds of materials and experiences they offer in their learning centres. Join Sonia for a conversation about what toddlers need from a learning centres and how to design spaces that answer some of the children’s questions… What am I supposed to do here? What else can I do? When do I know I’m done? What do I do next?

Presenter: Sonia Hage-Cameron has a been working in the child care field for over 20 years in a wide variety of capacities.After graduating with her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Child and Youth Studies, specializing in Special Needs, she held a variety of positions including working at the IWK, NSCECE and HRSB. Her roles have included Developmental Coordinator, college instructor at NSCECE, Community
Outreach Worker with HRSB and Child Mental Health Worker at the IWK. For the past several years, Sonia has been the owner/operator of child care centres in Bedford and Wedgewood.

Register