2025 CNC Conference Sessions
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
Fostering Diversity and Inclusion: Building Connections and Quality in the ECE Classroom
In this session, Lobna Ajaini of Childhood Empowerment empowers educators to create inclusive, high-quality learning environments that inspire care and nurture connections. With a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, participants will explore culturally responsive teaching practices, develop tools to build meaningful relationships with newcomer families, and learn strategies to foster belonging in diverse classrooms. This workshop equips educators to create spaces where every child and family feel valued and connected.
True “Belonging” Means Not Trying to Fit In
Led by Kerry Drake of KD Talks, this workshop looks at the shift from “fitting in” to truly belonging. Drawing on research from thought leaders like Brené Brown, participants will reflect on identity, authenticity, and courage, and learn how to create spaces where children and adults feel seen, valued, and free to be themselves.
Handout: Workbook