Programs and Activities
Story Sacks
Story Sacks are an engaging way to enhance story-time, support preliteracy, stimulate language development, and encourage children to tell their own stories. Developed in 1995 by UK principal Neil Griffith, story sacks also strengthen connections between early learning programs, homes, and across age groups.
In this interactive session led by ECCDC’s Ginette Wilson, participants will explore links to other curriculum areas and learn how to create their own story sacks. Educators are encouraged to bring their favourite children’s story.
Handouts:
Session Highlight and Reflection Journal
Higher Order Thinking Prompts
Helping Children Thrive and Grow
Helping Children Thrive and Grow explores the emotional journey of parenting while settling into a new country. This workshop focuses on building parental resilience through nervous system and body-based practices that can be modeled and shared with children to support regulation, security, and connection. Participants will learn how attachment-based strategies, emotional awareness, and cultural strengths can help newcomer families move beyond coping to truly thrive.
Led by Georgianna Lee, Counsellor and Coach, this session supports professionals in helping parents recognize emotional needs, strengthen empathy, and deepen parent–child relationships during times of transition.
Handout: Helping Children Thrive and Grow
Supporting Children in Developing a Practice of Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment with kindness and acceptance. When introduced early, it helps children build habits that support calm, confidence, and resilience throughout life. Mindfulness can reduce anxiety, promote well-being, and give children practical tools to manage stress and approach challenges with self-awareness.
Ginette Wilson of ECCDC will share resources and hands-on experiences to highlight the benefits of mindfulness and support curriculum planning for children of all ages.✨
Handouts:
Introducing Yoga in Preschool
Mindfulness Exercises for Kids
Reflection Journal
Why Mindfulness Belongs in the Classroom
Designing for Redirection: Supporting Behaviour Guidance in Early Childhood Spaces
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Kerry Drake of KD Talks explores how thoughtfully designed early childhood spaces can support positive behaviour, emotional regulation, and connection. Rather than managing challenges, this session focuses on creating environments that help children feel safe, capable, and understood. Participants will discover practical redirection strategies, learn how design choices can support big feelings and self-awareness, and gain tools to create calm, responsive spaces that encourage social-emotional development. This session is ideal for caregivers seeking respectful, strengths-based approaches to behaviour guidance.
Handout: Workbook
WEBINAR: The Power of Pretend Play
What if children’s pretend play is the key to building real-world power and regulation? Join author and play advocate Mike Huber for a transformative session that explores how imaginative play helps children practice executive function skills, navigate emotions, and develop a strong sense of agency. You’ll learn why even play that feels chaotic or uncomfortable to adults—like play fighting—can be essential for regulation and connection. Discover practical ways to support rich, empowering pretend play in your classroom every day.
6 Mood-Boosting Yoga Poses to Try With Kids
Kids aren’t immune to stress and anxiety. There are a number of yoga postures (asana) and breathing techniques (pranayama) that can benefit children’s mental health and well-being and are easy to do with kids of all ages.Here are six wonderful poses that can help reduce stress and enhance well-being for children.
Ages & Stages: Caregiver’s Guide to Supporting Children’s Racial Learning
Every child is learning about race, starting in their earliest months of life. What they learn, when, and how they make sense of it, depends on the messages they get from caregivers, communities, and the world around them. The Ages & Stages Guide brings together the latest research on children’s racial development from infancy through early adolescence, when caregivers have the most impact. It outlines: What kids notice at different ages; how racial learning unfolds over time; and practical steps caregivers can take to support healthy, affirming conversations and action.
Stories to Celebrate World Kindness Day!
How will you celebrate World Kindness Day on November 13th? Here are some posters and stories to share with the children and families in your program: resources, Be Kind, and Kindness is My Superpower.
6 Active Games You Can Play with a Pair of Socks
Looking for creative indoor active games for your program? Here are a few simple games that kids can play with sock balls with limited space and equipment—including single-player games for the kids to enjoy!
When All the Kids are White: How Does an Early Education Program Work Toward Anti-Bias, Anti-Racist Classrooms?
Children begin noticing race as early as six months old—and by age twelve, many have already absorbed racial stereotypes. What happens when a preschool with no racial diversity decides to take action? This article explores how an early years program is rethinking its approach to anti-bias, anti-racist programming.