CMAS
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion CNC Learning Moments
At its core, CNC is responsive and inclusive, and should be delivered with the utmost respect and appreciation for culture and diversity.
We worked with professor and early childhood, culture, and diversity expert, Barbara Kaiser, to develop this new Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) CNC Learning Moments series. These quick videos are designed to fit your schedule, introduce core EDI concepts, and spark meaningful reflections for your CNC team.
The first three videos are now available:
- Embracing Culture as an Asset
- Opening Hearts and Minds: Uncovering Hidden Bias
- Handling Children’s Curiosity: Addressing Differences with Empathy
If you’re looking to dive deeper into any of these topics, below each video, you’ll also find a list of resource links to extend your learning and further support your CNC team.
Intégrer la diversité – Julie Dotsch
La diversité est définie comme étant tout ce qui rend les êtres humains uniques. La diversité influ•ence bien des choses : comment nous jugeons les autres, comment la société valorise les individus et comment chacun réussit dans la vie. Elle influence également l’image que l’on a de soi ainsi que les attentes que l’on a de soi-même, de nos enfants et de nos familles. Tous les enfants ont le droit d’être respectés et d’avoir des programmes adaptés à leurs capacités, à leur style d’apprentissage et aux valeurs de leur famille.
La diversité et ses catégories
Il y a 12 catégories de diversité utilisées pour décrire une personne.
- Capacités – Différentes capacités physiques ou développementales.
- Âge – Jugement perçu et réel porté sur l’âge (p. ex., mère adolescente, vieillard).
- Apparence – Différentes grandeurs et grosseurs, perceptions de la beauté.
- Croyances – Religions, spiritualité, pratiques d’éducation des enfants, valeurs familiales.
- Casier judiciaire – Cette catégorie inclut les réfugiés politiques qui ont été emprisonnés par le passé.
- Culture – Traditions, langues, valeurs communes, perceptions, pratiques.
- Composition de la famille – Qui sont les membres de la famille, quels sont les rôles dans la famille et tout changement récent.
- Sexe – Si une personne est de sexe masculin ou féminin, ou transgenre.
Creating Magical Spaces
Creating environments that inspire curiosity, exploration, discovery, and play is both an art and a challenge. While trends evolve, truly meaningful spaces always center the child—supporting play, belonging, safety, and well-being.A magical environment responds to children’s interests and invites everyone to participate with joy. Join Tina Geers from Inspired Minds ECC Consulting Inc. as we explore how thoughtful choices—from natural elements and cozy lighting to our own presence and engagement—can transform early learning spaces. Every setting is different, but each one has the potential to be magical. ✨
Baby Talk: Supporting Infant and Toddler Language Development
Are you working with young children who are actively learning language(s)? In this his online workshop Nancy Tovell of Bookmates focuses on how we can support children’s language development in the early years. Included will be practical, interactive family literacy strategies to help children engage and communicate with their caregivers, while building fundamental speech and language skills.
Handouts:
Baby Talk Literacy Activity Ideas
Baby Talk Rhyme Booklet
Baby Talk Suggested Book List
Beyond Pom Poms: Exploring Process vs Product Art Through A Cultural Lens
Megan Wales DiCarlo, CNC Program Manager & Arts-Infused Early Learning Specialist at the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario, invites educators to reimagine art through a culturally inclusive lens. This session explores diverse materials, traditions, and process-based, child-led approaches that foster identity, sensory exploration, and meaningful creative expression. Participants will learn practical strategies for integrating authentic cultural materials, music, movement, and storytelling to create inclusive, engaging art experiences.
Belonging Begins with Us: Building Deeper Relationships in CNC Programs
Tammy Nucci explores how educators can create trusting, inclusive relationships with children, families, and peers—regardless of language or background. Drawing on trauma-informed care, culturally sustaining practices, and early childhood best practices, participants will learn strategies to design routines and environments that promote safety, respect, and belonging. This session offers practical tools and reflective discussion to help build relationships rooted in empathy and inclusion.
Handouts:
Workshop Outline
Learner Journal
Introduction to Spoken Language Interpreting for CNC Staff
Jane Langes from the E-Quality Communication Centre of Excellence explores the roles and responsibilities of professional, volunteer, and workplace interpreters. Participants will learn about standards of practice, ethical principles, accuracy, sight translation, and how to recognize when an assignment exceeds their skills. This session provides practical guidance for anyone called upon to interpret or provide language support in the workplace.
Handout: Working with Interpreters
DAP Trivia Time
Led by Tina Geers, Inspired Minds ECC Consulting Inc., is a hands-on, full-participation workshop exploring Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP) and how they shape early learning environments, professional practices, and children’s learning. Participants will dive into the cornerstones of DAP and discover practical ways to implement them in their play spaces. Learn how to follow the child’s lead while strengthening your professional practice.
Meaningful Inclusion and Participation
What does it look like when children are meaningfully included in a space? Ashleigh Davies,
Head Coordinator BCCE, ECE program, Burnaby Community & Continuing Education looks at ways to engage in inclusive practice, looking at the Universal Design for Learning, and ways to create an environment where everyone can meaningfully participate in equitable ways. The goal of the workshop is to find ways to create an inclusive practice and dive into what ‘inclusive’ means in an ECE context and how we can create spaces with intention.
Food, Feeding and Physical Activity in the Early Years
In this workshop Nicole Fetterly, Lead Trainer at Appetite to Play will enhance your knowledge, skills and confidence in creating childcare settings that support physical literacy, healthy eating and healthy child development. Planning tools, self-assessments, recipes, games and activities will be shared. An overview of the resource-rich Appetite to Play website will be included.
Handout: Online Workshop Resources