Session Two: Mindfulness in The Classroom (Part 2)

This workshop will delve into several mindfulness practices that we can do in daily life (walking, eating, listening). We will talk about introducing mindfulness to children first learning about benefits for children and benefits to having a mindful classroom and later discussing how to introduce practices to the children you work with. We will have a chance to go through some practices designed for children.

Lisa Benson has been working in the field of early childhood education for over 15 years. She holds a MA in Child and Youth Studies from Mount Saint Vincent University. Lisa has worked with children and youth ages 1-15 in a variety of settings. She has developed her own mindfulness practice which has been life changing. She has taken online courses based on mindfulness facilitation and mindfulness in education.

Register for this series

9 AM - 4 PM Lunch Provided

‘Pedagogical Leaders demonstrate credible knowledge of the teaching and learning process and draw on those principles to guide individuals and groups.’ (Coughlin and Woodburn, 2016)
This module, designed for any type of leader in our field who is working in a regulated child care setting or Pre-primary Program, will focus on how pedagogical leadership supports educators in reflecting upon, and learning more about, their practices with children.

We will address - through experiences and dialogue – the questions: What is an effective pedagogical leader? How do we work through growth and change in positive ways? How do we encourage innovative practices?

This session is being hosted by Jane Norman College / Early Years Support Centre. Please contact [email protected] for more details.

9 AM - 4 PM Lunch Provided

‘A person’s Image of the Child….is influenced by that person’s experiences, culture, values and beliefs’ (N.S Early Learning Curriculum Framework, p11).
This statement about the Image of the Child from the curriculum framework is foundational for the practices described within the document. In this module, we will use reflection and dialogue to work through our own images of children and how these are made visible in our day to day interactions, routines, decision-making, and responses to children.

We will address – through experiences and dialogue - the questions: What is your ‘Image of the Child’? Why does this image matter? How do our images and practices align with the Framework? What difference does it make to our daily practice? How does the Image of the Child affect the role of an educator or leader?

This session is being hosted by Jane Norman College/Early Years Support Centre.
Please contact [email protected] for more details.

COMING THIS FALL …   A multipart, nature based, outdoor practitioner’s continuing education certificate  commencing September 2018  

Saturdays:9am-4pm: September|October|November 2018|January|February |March|May  2019 

The monthly session will happen on Saturdays at the MOUNT with additional online support to be provided via a learning portal. The format of this program will provide instruction in evidence based theory, along with outdoor practical, hands-on application.   Participants will investigate the benefits of child-led outdoor play based learning and the benefits of risk in play.   You will learn practical tips and approaches for facilitating meaningful outdoor experiences for children;  connecting the  principles of the curriculum framework to outdoor play philosophies ; observing and documenting learning in an outdoor classroom; how to create a natural play space in any location and reflective practices.  

Facilitated by Bernadette Fegan, with guest facilitators each month!  


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

Pedagogical Leaders demonstrate credible knowledge of the teaching and learning process and draw on those principles to guide individuals and groups.’ (Coughlin and Woodburn, 2016)
This module, designed for any type of leader in our field who is working in a regulated child care setting or Pre-primary Program, will focus on how pedagogical leadership supports educators in reflecting upon, and learning more about, their practices with children.

We will address - through experiences and dialogue – the questions: What is an effective pedagogical leader? How do we work through growth and change in positive ways? How do we encourage innovative practices?

This session is Part 1 of 2 being hosted by NSCC Marconi. Please contact [email protected] for further details.

This hands-on workshop is free of charge and includes a snack, workshop kit for each participant and a certificate of attendance (3 PD hours).

(October 23) Session One: ABCs of Behaviour: What motivates someone to engage in a specific behaviour? How can we improve our observation skills to understand what, when, and why behaviour happens? This introductory workshop will focus on the basic principles of behaviour and participants will learn about the function of behaviour.

(October 30) Session Two: Teaching an Alternative Behaviour: Now that we have identified the behaviour of concern and understand why it is happening and how often, we will discuss the importance of selecting, supporting, and prompting the child to complete a new alternative behaviour. We will talk about and practice fading our prompting gradually, so the child acquires the skill independently. This workshop will also discuss the importance of providing positive reinforcement for skill building.

(November 6) Session Three: Putting it all Together: How do we incorporate these teaching moments into our classroom routine? How do we individualize a teaching program in a busy classroom? How do we track progress? These key areas of putting the pieces of positive behaviour change together will be discussed and practically applied in this workshop.

Nicole Robinson, M. ABA has been happy to call Nova Scotia home since 2010. Originally from Ontario, Nicole moved to Nova Scotia to pursue a role as a Communicative Disorders Assistant. Her keen interest in working with young children with autism spectrum disorder led her to the position of Program Implementer with the IWK Early Intensive Behavior Intervention Program. Nicole recently completed a master’s Degree in applied Behavior Analysis with an emphasis in Autism and currently provides behavioral support services as a Behavior Therapist through the business she co-founded, Reach Out Respite. Nicole is eager to share her knowledge and experience regarding teaching early learners

Sorcha Parker, M.Sc., BCBA is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst providing evidence-based treatment services to clients with developmental delays, Down’s Syndrome & autism spectrum disorders. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from St. Mary’s University and a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from The Institute for Psychological Sciences, in Arlington, VA. She completed her graduate training in applied behaviour analysis (ABA) through Pennsylvania State University. As a Certified Behaviour Analyst, Sorcha is a member of a regulated international body of practitioners adhering to strict standards of ethical and professional conduct and required to engage in ongoing continuing education to provide the most up to date, evidence-based treatment for clients.

Register for this series

Module 1: Pedagogical Leadership: NSCC Pictou Campus Rm C119 (Friday)-For Directors or Pedagogical Leaders
‘Pedagogical Leaders demonstrate credible knowledge of the teaching and learning process and draw on those principles to guide individuals and groups.’ (Coughlin and Woodburn, 2016)
This module, designed for any type of leader in our field who is working in a regulated child care setting or Pre-primary Program, will focus on how pedagogical leadership supports educators in reflecting upon, and learning more about, their practices with children.
We will address - through experiences and dialogue – the questions: What is an effective pedagogical leader? How do we work through growth and change in positive ways? How do we encourage innovative practices?

Participants will:
 develop an understanding of the role of a pedagogical leader, how this role can be improved through reflection, and how this type of leadership can support the vision and goals of their setting.
 explore ideas around leading others through change and growth, while making connections to the framework, as they practice motivating, coaching, and mentoring skills.
 reflect upon what it means to be a leader in terms of curriculum decisions; how we develop programs that are play-based, intentional, and connected to the practices described in the framework.

Module 2: The Image of the Child: NSCC Pictou Campus Rm C114 (Saturday)-For Directors or Pedagogical Leaders
‘A person’s Image of the Child….is influenced by that person’s experiences, culture, values and beliefs’ (N.S Early Learning Curriculum Framework, p11).
This statement about the Image of the Child from the curriculum framework is foundational for the practices described within the document. In this module, we will use reflection and dialogue to work through our own images of children and how these are made visible in our day to day interactions, routines, decision-making, and responses to children.
We will address – through experiences and dialogue - the questions: What is your ‘Image of the Child’? Why does this image matter? How do our images and practices align with the Framework? What difference does it make to our daily practice? How does the Image of the Child affect the role of an educator or leader?

Participants will:
 articulate their Image of the Child, taking into account their own centre’s philosophies and values.
 understand how their own childhood experiences, family background, spiritual and cultural values, as well as experiences as an adult and educator, influence their images of children.
 improve awareness of what they see and understand in their approaches with children, and recognize how their images of children shape their ECE practices.

9 AM - 4 PM Lunch Provided

This session is being hosted by ECDSC. Please contact [email protected] for further details.

https://www.eypdc.ca/learning/early-learning-curriculum-framework/program-staff-training-registration-form/

Workshop #2 of 3 Part Series

This workshop will explore a practical application of attachment theory and how to integrate key principles into everyday care, group culture, policy, and maintaining a supportive care team (including strong relationship with parents). The Circle of Security Parenting Model © will provide participants with the attachment map through which we will delve into challenges facing education centers. Working from an attachment-focused lens will support educators’ efforts to establish a nurturing learning environment. This training will be offered in small group format to allow participants to discuss case examples and work through ways to apply new learning in daily life. The three part training will allow participants to build capacity around understanding behavior as emotional need, gain confidence in responding to that emotional need, reflect on special considerations for children who have experienced trauma and implications for inclusive practices.

Register online: http://bit.ly/kingstecreg

9 AM - 4 PM Lunch Provided

‘Pedagogical Leaders demonstrate credible knowledge of the teaching and learning process and draw on those principles to guide individuals and groups.’ (Coughlin and Woodburn, 2016)
This module, designed for any type of leader in our field who is working in a regulated child care setting or Pre-primary Program, will focus on how pedagogical leadership supports educators in reflecting upon, and learning more about, their practices with children.

We will address - through experiences and dialogue – the questions: What is an effective pedagogical leader? How do we work through growth and change in positive ways? How do we encourage innovative practices?

This session is being hosted by NSCECE | EYCDC. Please contact [email protected] for further details.