2024 CNC Conference Sessions

Readying Children for Play-Based Learning Jan Blaxall & Janet Foster-TFL Early Years Social Emotional Learning;

Not all children have the social competence needed for group play. In childcare, there are large periods of uninterrupted playtime, and children need specific social skills to get along! We are actually creating stress for children if they are left to navigate on their own when interacting with others. In this session, we will begin by discussing why social competence matters. We will highlight the challenges some children face in group play and the increased demands social play creates for their sense of belonging, their well-being and sense of calm. We will also explore what competencies and strengths early educators need to be able to support children in social-emotional learning. Then, we’ll wrap up with a variety of approaches and strategies that can be used in your program.

Inspiring Generations: Cultivating Your Legacy in Early Childhood Anisha Angella, The Early Childhood Coach

Are you aware that early childhood professionals are the architects of legacies? Every day, they weave the threads of influence that shape our future. From the families they connect with to the young minds they nurture and the new educators they inspire, their impact resonates for generations. The legacy they leave is etched not just in the books but in the hearts and minds of those they touch. Now, envision yourself as a legacy builder, crafting an indelible mark on the world of early childhood education. Imagine leaving a powerful imprint that future educators will look up to. If you’re eager to harness the true potential of your role as an early childhood professional and learn how to sculpt a legacy that’s both powerful and impactful, then this professional learning experience is tailor-made for you.

Strengthening Relationships with Families Carla Ward, Early Learning Foundations

During this workshop, participants will explore best practices for building strong, positive relationships with the families in their programs. The workshop will cover a range of topics, including effective communication strategies, ways to handle conflicts and challenges and techniques for building trust with families. Participants will learn the importance of involving families in their child’s care and will gain practical tools and tips for fostering meaningful partnerships.

Supporting Children’s Home Languages Julie Hansen – Inspired ECE; Andrea Rizzuto – Playground Connections

Join us for this journey in becoming diverse, equitable, and inclusive early years programs. In this workshop, we will discuss information about multilingualism, dispel myths about this area, reflect on our own practice, and discuss the importance of self-awareness and objectivity.  We will share specific tools and strategies for educators to create warm and welcoming environments for everyone.

Navigating Difficult Conversations Nathalie James, The Early Childhood Coach

Navigating difficult conversations is an inevitable part of any early years setting. Whether you’re a seasoned educator who still struggles with tough discussions, a new teacher who dreads them, or a supervisor supporting your staff, this workshop is designed for you. Join us for an engaging session where you’ll acquire the tools, knowledge, and insights needed to master difficult conversations. Learn how to take control of these interactions and even prevent them from arising in the first place.

Raising Readers: Cultivating a Love of Literacy Nancy Tovell, Bookmates

This workshop will share a variety of ways we can nurture an early love of learning with preschool children.  Using picture books as a foundation, specific strategies and activities will be discussed with the goal of setting up children and families with a lifelong connection to reading. 

“I am a Scientist!” Cindy Curry, Children, Naturally 

Children are born to explore. How can we, as adults, not only incorporate science every day, but see what is already happening in children’s play?  We will explore a variety of areas of science (some may surprise you!). We will also talk about how to identify them and support science in children’s play. Let’s throw out the science area and begin to observe and support science in all the play children are already involved in.

Skinned Knees: The Benefits of Risky Play Nancy Tovell, Bookmates

In this workshop, participants will have an opportunity to explore the importance of “managed risk” in children’s play to keep them engaged and learning. Content is geared towards those working with children from birth to 6 years of age.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Supporting Special Needs in CNC Shanda Burnett. CMAS

This session addresses the common questions and challenges when working with children with special needs. From planning for inclusion, managing situations where a child’s needs may exceed your program’s current capacity, and accessing CMAS and community resources to communicating and collaborating with parents, Shanda will equip you with the knowledge, strategies, and tools necessary to create welcoming and supportive spaces. 

The World is a Stage: Inspiring Creativity through Dramatic Play Tina Geers, Inspired Minds

The world is a stage! Full of drama! Suspense! And Action! Children are amazing at expressing their understanding of the world around them through dramatic and pretend play. They use their imagination to understand, solve problems, communicate, build social skills and bring meaning to the world they are actively experiencing. From the imaginary worlds of fairies and dragons to the real-life experiences of a new baby in the family and going camping for the first time, children experience all of this in real life and in our play spaces. Join us as we explore the creativity, imagination, and real-life experiences of young children through dramatic play.

Navigating Holidays with Critical Thinking Ana Valle Rivera, Early Years Thriving

Holidays bring joy, excitement, and cultural celebrations to early childhood education (ECE) settings. However, they also present an opportunity to foster critical thinking skills and promote inclusivity among young learners. This workshop focuses on navigating holidays in ECE settings with an emphasis on cultivating critical thinking and fostering a respectful understanding of diverse perspectives.

Everything I Know About Leadership, I Learned as an ECE Tammy Nucci

In this session, we will discuss what leadership is and what it is not. Leadership is not a position or title, a higher pay grade or additional responsibilities – this notion is an incomplete appreciation and inaccurate assessment of what true leadership is. Leadership is about purpose, influence and impact, and for early childhood professionals that purpose is embodied in pedagogical leadership. As pedagogical leaders, we are responsible for creating environments in which our children, families and each other feel safe, respected, and motivated. Every leader at every level of experience and skill has room for growth, but the thought of setting and achieving leadership goals may leave you wondering where to begin.

Finding Your Hidden Strengths Georgianna Lee

In this transformative workshop, Georgianna will guide you through the process of uncovering and leveraging your hidden strengths to become a more powerful leader. Drawing on her 20 years of experience working with individuals and families globally, Georgianna blends her corporate, nonprofit, and counseling expertise to offer a unique approach to leadership development. Join Georgianna to discover how understanding and harnessing both your own and your team’s strengths can lead to more effective leadership and a more cohesive, motivated team.

AECEO Community of Practice: Seeing ECEs in CNC as Leaders Nidhi Menon, Meena Ahuja & Shehla Masroor, AECEO

In this presentation, we raise our voices and work towards leadership by sharing our stories as early childhood professionals working with newcomer families and children. What does it mean to work in non-traditional childcare spaces such as non-government organizations (NGO)? How does this work influence us as ECEs? How do our lived experiences of migration influence not only our personal but also our professional life? These are some questions we hope to discuss. Our presentation creates a space to share with educators and others about what we have learned about ourselves from our lived experiences of working with families who have diverse strengths and needs.

Inspiring Care and Leadership Through Active Play Richard Monette, Active for Life

In this presentation, you will learn about:

• A simplified approach to developing physical literacy
• How this approach helps parents and educators foster a love of movement in children
• The power of active play
• How these concepts are shared with ECEs through the “Active Play in Childcare” program

Exploring Intersectionality, Race, and Developing of Self Tonja Armstrong-MacInnis

In this session, through a variety of activities and self-reflection, we will work towards embracing each other’s differences to move to a place of understanding, safer spaces of belonging, and joy for all. Together, participants will examine biases, gain an understanding of intersectionality and look at the construct of race. We will also explore ways to support the building of authentic relationships and environments that represent the diversity and discovery of self in the world around us. Participants will also receive a list of resources that can be used to support the further exploration of who we are and how we connect with one another as we work towards belonging, inclusiveness, and true connection in our communities of care.

Documentation in LINC childcare settings: The Power of Story Telling Ana Delgado, Maria Abina, Helen Hart & Keiko Tanaka, ISSofBC

Our LINC childcare program has engaged with documentation for several years. At first, we struggled with how to capture moments when the children did not speak English. We had to learn to listen with more than our ears—to listen with our whole selves. With the practice of documentation, we are able to capture stories that the children share with us and highlight their learning as well as ours. In this session, we will share what our team has learned.

Diversity in Art: Exploring and Implementing Art Strategies in the ECE Classroom Lobna Ajaini, Childhood Empowerment

Join us for an engaging workshop focused on implementing diversity in early childhood art education. Through interactive and collaborative activities, educators will explore practical strategies for celebrating diversity through art like music, painting, dancing and more. Participants will learn how to select diverse materials, incorporate multicultural perspectives, and create art experiences that empower every child to express themselves authentically. By the end of the workshop, educators will leave inspired and equipped to cultivate practices that honor diversity in their classrooms.

Designing YES Spaces: Embrace the YES and Design a Space for Children Carla Ward, Early Learning Foundation

Designing a “YES” space for children is a great way to create a safe and engaging environment that promotes exploration, independence, and learning. A “YES” space is a designated area where children can play and explore freely, without restriction. In this presentation, you will learn what a yes space is, how it makes happier children, the educator’s role and how to start designing a yes space.

Everyone has Music Inside Megan Wales, North London YMCA

Did you know in every child’s eyes, you are the best singer they have ever heard? Well guess what? You are!! Music is inside each and every one of us. You are a natural-born musician and perhaps, you just don’t know it yet! Music feels good – and I am here to show you how it can be an amazing teaching tool that can bring great balance to your day within your role as an early childhood educator. 

Looking in a Mirror: Patterns, Cycles and Bias, Oh My! Kerry Drake, KD Talks

Before, during, after? When it comes to being reflective, what is the best way to do it and how? This workshop will focus on reflective practice tools and strategies to help us look in the mirror and uncover some hidden why’s.  Why did the child respond how they did? Why did I feel the way I did about a situation? Why can’t I let it go?, and much more.  Digging into these areas can be uncomfortable, but that is where the most growth happens.  This will be a safe space to begin that journey of meaningful and genuine reflective practice that results in more inclusive spaces.