EYPDC
and Curious
Welcome to the EYPDC
The Early Years Professional Development Committee consists of representatives of provincially funded Training Institutions and Support Sites. Committee members share their insights, needs assessment observations and professional development plans in order to coordinate, communicate and deliver quality professional development for all early childhood educators and other early years professionals in Nova Scotia.
Upcoming Workshops
- October 29, 2024
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JNC - One Step Forward Club (Community of Practice)
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October 29, 2024 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Online via ZoomThe One Step Forward Club strives to raise awareness about issues of injustice and inequality and to effect change within ourselves, and our community. The One Step Forward Club is a refreshing alternative to a traditional book club. It provides a platform for engaging discussions without the hefty time commitment. Creating a community of kind, thoughtful people, and discuss one great article/film every month.
This community of practice is free of charge.
If interested contact Jane MacKenzie
jane.mackenzie@janenorman.caSee more details
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- October 30, 2024
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NSCC Cumberland Capable, Confident & Curious Module 1
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October 30, 2024 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
OnlineModule 1: The Image of the Child
It is an exciting time in the N.S. early childhood field! Our new curriculum framework is here, ready to be used in ECE settings around the province. Are you familiar with it, and the many ways in which it might be used? This module - Using Your Image of the Child in Your Daily Practice - will uncover the possibilities for using the first part of the Framework, and the "whys" of being able to use your Image of the Child in practical ways. Join us for this interactive session that will be the foundation for the rest of the Framework.
**this is a 2 evening online session, you must attend both in order to receive a certificate**
October 28th 6:30 PM-8:30PM
October 30th 6:30PM-8:30PM
Facilitators: Jane MacKenzie & LeaAnne Joudrie
To register click this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nscc-cumberland-capable-confident-curious-module-1-tickets-1037954629237?aff=oddtdtcreator
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- November 2, 2024
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MSVU Supporting and Expanding Play in Early Childhood Settings
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November 2, 2024 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Mount Saint Vincent University, 166 Bedford Hwy, Halifax, NS B3M 2J6, CanadaDate: Saturday November 2 2024 (9am –4 pm) Cost: $75 Total PD hours: 6 hours
Location: IN PERSON Presenters: Heather Bartholomew & Debbie ThompsonDescription: It is widely accepted that children learn through play. This workshop will support partici-pants in identifying children’s current levels of play through the lens of both cognitive & social development. The facilitators will then focus on sharing tools and strategies to support the expansion of children’s play in both of these domains. This will allow participants to further the development of skills, enhance children’s sense of belonging and social connection & create a fun and engaging learning environment. The learning outcomes:
•Gain familiarity with Piaget’s Developmental Levels of Play and Parten’s Social Levels of Play to enable participants to use child observations to classify children’s play.•To empower participants to utilize child motivation and environmental supports to expand children’s existing play.•Learn variety of strategies for encouraging peer play, social engagement and the skills required for success in a social environment
Presenter Biographies: Heather Bartholomew graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Arts (Child & Youth Study) & in the twenty plus years since then, has been working with preschoolers. Additionally, she has recently begun working part-time with adults with developmental delays, giving her a broader, across the lifespan perspective on supporting di-verse individuals at any age. She has worked as an Early Childhood Educator, one-to-one support staff & as a resource teacher. For five years, she served as Resource Teacher at the Mount’s Child Study Centre, supporting children with identified special needs &, in particular, delivering programming to students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Heather has worked as a Program Implementer in Halifax’s Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention program for the past sev-enteen years. She has developed & facilitated workshops on a variety of topics, most frequently relating to Inclusion. Heather is passionate about facilitating positive inclusion experiences & finding effective & efficient strategies to sup-port individual & classroom-wide learning.
Debbie Thompson is a graduate from Mount Saint Vincent University with the Degree in Child & Youth. Debbie started her journey in ECE at Wee Care Developmental centre working as a Developmental teacher in an integrated setting. It was there that she knew she wanted to focus her attention on working with children with special needs. Deb-bie also developed the Resource position at Wee Care & was responsible for developing & implementing plans for chil-dren with special needs. Debbie now works at the IWK as a Program Implementer for the Early Intensive Behaviour Intervention program (EIBI) working with children with Autism. Through her job at the IWK she continues to work closely with preschool teachers consulting & providing feedback in various programs. Debbie also teaches regularly at Nova Scotia College of Early Childhood Education & Mount Saint Vincent University on various topics including chal-lenging behaviour & Inclusion.Location: IN PERSON
6 PD hours
$75
Registration for our MSVU workshops, along our PD brochure with full workshops details, descriptions and presenter bios is found online www.msvu.ca/earlychildhoodworkshops
See more details
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NSCC Kingstec - Staying Well
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November 2, 2024 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
NSCC - Kingstec Campus, 236 Belcher St, Kentville, NS B4N 0A6, CanadaExplore the importance of educator wellness, and how it effects not only your overall wellbeing but that of the children's.
Facilitator: Theresa MacLeod
I have been an ECE for the past 18 years, all of which spent working directly with children. I've worked with infants to school age in licensed care, home daycare, nursery school and currently Pre-primary. I love being outside and sharing my love of all things outdoors with the children and families work with.
Fee: $30
Deadline to register: October 25, 2024
Please Note Our new payment process (September 2023)
1. Credit card or VISA Debit payment
2. Cheque
3. Cash
(Instructions below)- Registration form AND payment are to be received by us at least TWO WEEKS IN ADVANCE (unless otherwise noted), not simply postmarked by the deadline.
- Registrations cannot be processed, nor spaces held, until both registration form and payment are received.
- Cancellations must be processed before the workshop occurs. Please contact us at least 1 week prior to a workshop if you are unable to attend.Please contact sara.graves@nscc.ca or justine.macdonald@nscc.ca for more details.
*please keep our workshop guidelines in mind* https://www.nscc.ca/ecdsc/professional-development/kingstec-guidelines.asp
To Register: https://bit.ly/ecdscregistration
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A Day of Play with Lisa Murphy! The Ooey Gooey Lady®
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November 2, 2024
Inn on Prince Hotel & Conference Centre Truro, 437 Prince St, Truro, NS B2N 1E6, CanadaWHAT IF TODAY WAS THEIR ONLY DAY? (KEYNOTE)
In this keynote address Lisa shares the powerful story of her first day of school. Through engaging storytelling Lisa brings you back to this first day by taking you on a tour of Mary’s Nursery School. Lisa will share the sights and sounds of the place where, at the young age of three, she decided to become a teacher and identifies how one day solidified this decision. This inspiring keynote gets participants back in touch with their own personal why which is at the heart of providing quality care - why do we show up every day and do this work? And, if it was a child’s only day, what will they remember?
OOEY GOOEY® SQUISHY PLOP!
Sensory Play for Every Day!This one-of-a-kind workshop offers six (6) tables of hands-on activity ideas as well as the “wolf words” that support their use in the classroom! Participants will have play time too!
10 LITTLE HOT DOGS FRYIN’ IN THE WHAT?!?!
Fingerplay songs & chants for transition time, circle time or any time!This is an audience sing-along session so leave the inhibitions at the door and be ready to sing and clap along!
LISA MURPHY ON...PLAY!
The Importance of Early ExperiencesIn this workshop Lisa presents the seven things we must do with children each day which she outlined in her book, Lisa Murphy on… PLAY. This workshop continues to be Lisa’s most requested session because it shows how these seven things make up the foundation that supports the house of higher learning. There is nothing wrong with the “academic” expectations of the house such as reading, writing, math… the trouble is that many early childhood educators are being pressured to build a house where there is no foundation. Play is the foundation and through an investigation of the seven things Lisa shows you how.
Facilitator: Lisa Murphy Cost: $86.25
Preregistration required-submit ECDSC registration form by October 11th, there are 300 spots available.
To register, click here: https://forms.office.com/r/Fpexz3sp9w
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- November 5, 2024
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Childhood Trauma: A Child-Centered Approach
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November 5, 2024 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
OnlineNicole Terry (she/her) is a Registered Counselling Therapist-Candidate as well as a Certified Canadian Counsellor. She works with individuals across the lifespan with a focus on the LGBTQIA2s+ community. Nicole's areas of focus are emotion regulation, depression, anxiety and trauma.
In early childhood educattion settings, creating a safe and nurturing environment is crucial for supporting children's holistic development. Children may experience trauma or challenging life events that may impact their well-being. As educators, it is essential to understand the effects of trauma to create trauma-informed classrooms. A trauma-informed care approach creates safe and supportive environments for children. This supports child development and fosters their social-emotional well-being.
-Learning about the impact trauma may have on children, their families and early childhood educators
-Understand health and well-being, as well as sensitivity in responding to children who may have experienced trauma
-Learn how to be responsive to the needs of children affected by trauma
-Reflect on your own self-care as educatorsIf interested contact Jane MacKenzie
at jane.mackenzie@janenorman.caCost $30.00
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NSCC Cumberland - Mental Health for Early Childhood Educators
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November 5, 2024 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
OnlineThis workshop explores the importance of taking care of your mental health as an educator and the implications if we don’t take care of ourselves. It explores stress and burnout within the field. It also discusses the specific challenges and barriers that ECE’s face that affect mental health.
Facilitator: Drew Harms, Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and early childhood educator (ECE)
Cost: $23.00
Preregistration required, submit ECDSC registration form by October 22nd.
To register, click here: https://forms.office.com/r/Fpexz3sp9w
See more details
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MSVU Troubled Childhoods: Mental Health Challenges and Emotional and Behaviour Disorders in Young Children
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November 5, 2024 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Mount Saint Vincent University, 166 Bedford Hwy, Halifax, NS B3M 2J6, CanadaDate: Tuesday November 5, 2024 (6pm– 9pm) and Saturday November 9, 2024 (9am—12 noon) Cost: $75 Total PD hours: 6 hrs Location: ONLINE Presenters: Karen Carey & Colin Morrison
Description: Children can show clear characteristics of anxiety disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and neurodevelopmental disabilities, such as autism, at a very early age. And while signs can be present before age five, a diagnosis is rarely made in very young children. Even in older children, diagnoses should be made only with extreme caution, due to controversy around the notion of labeling and stigmatizing children. And because young children respond to and process emotional experiences and traumatic events in ways that are very different from adults and older children, understanding their needs and how best to support these challenged troubled young children becomes that much more challenging.
Science tells us that the foundations of sound mental health are built early in life, & that early experiences, including chil-dren’s relationships with parents, caregivers, relatives, teachers, combine & interact with biology to shape the architecture of the developing brain. Disruptions in this developmental process can impair a child’s capacities for learning & relating to others, with lifelong implications. Not addressing the mental health needs of young children can come with a heavy burden & high cost to society.
Objectives: Through this workshop we will explore the distinct traits of children with mental health, emotional & behav-ioural challenges & examine the unique ways they process emotional & traumatic events that set them apart from same age peers.. We will have a better understanding of young children’s mental health problems within the context of their families, homes, & communities & how it is directly related to the well being of their caregivers & communities. We will uncover new research in emotional & behavioural challenges & self regulation that may potentially provide helpful strategies & inter-ventions to address issues & allow troubled children to leave more healthy lives.Presenter Biographies: Colin Morrison has over 20 years’ experience working with children, youth & families in the mental health field. Colin has served primarily as youth care worker & case coordinator for families & children in the Child & Family Day Treatment Program at the IWK. He has extensive experience in developing & implementing skill groups with children, particularly in the area of emotional regulation, & providing supportive counselling to families. Colin is cur-rently completing a Master of Social Worker degree at Dalhousie University, & is working on a thesis related to male child-hood sexual abuse, & the impacts of "toxic masculinity" on mens' help seeking behaviours. He has a keen interest in trauma focused therapy, attachment theory, mens' health, & issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community.
Karen Carey has over 15 years’ experience working with children, youth & families as a social worker, youth care worker, case coordinator, in home support worker & direct care practitioner. Through evidence based & best practice methods, Karen is a strong advocate for the children, youth & families. Although Karen has strong roots in attachment theory, sys-tems theory, positive parenting, trauma & resilience; her personal philosophy is to promote mental, physical & emotional health/wellbeing though a solution focused & social learning model.
Together Colin & Karen have seen positive & long lasting benefits for children AND families when they are provided edu-cation, strategies, guidance, empathy & support. They see effective communication & open collaboration as the key ingredi-ents in supporting positive futures for the children & families under their care.Location: ONLINE
6 PD hours
$75
Registration for our MSVU workshops, along our PD brochure with full workshops details, descriptions and presenter bios is found online www.msvu.ca/earlychildhoodworkshops
See more details
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Working with Dual or Additional Language Children
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- November 9, 2024
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MSVU Troubled Childhoods: Mental Health Challenges and Emotional and Behaviour Disorders in Young Children
View Details
November 9, 2024 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Mount Saint Vincent University, 166 Bedford Hwy, Halifax, NS B3M 2J6, CanadaDate: Tuesday November 5, 2024 (6pm– 9pm) and Saturday November 9, 2024 (9am—12 noon) Cost: $75 Total PD hours: 6 hrs Location: ONLINE Presenters: Karen Carey & Colin Morrison
Description: Children can show clear characteristics of anxiety disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and neurodevelopmental disabilities, such as autism, at a very early age. And while signs can be present before age five, a diagnosis is rarely made in very young children. Even in older children, diagnoses should be made only with extreme caution, due to controversy around the notion of labeling and stigmatizing children. And because young children respond to and process emotional experiences and traumatic events in ways that are very different from adults and older children, understanding their needs and how best to support these challenged troubled young children becomes that much more challenging.
Science tells us that the foundations of sound mental health are built early in life, & that early experiences, including chil-dren’s relationships with parents, caregivers, relatives, teachers, combine & interact with biology to shape the architecture of the developing brain. Disruptions in this developmental process can impair a child’s capacities for learning & relating to others, with lifelong implications. Not addressing the mental health needs of young children can come with a heavy burden & high cost to society.
Objectives: Through this workshop we will explore the distinct traits of children with mental health, emotional & behav-ioural challenges & examine the unique ways they process emotional & traumatic events that set them apart from same age peers.. We will have a better understanding of young children’s mental health problems within the context of their families, homes, & communities & how it is directly related to the well being of their caregivers & communities. We will uncover new research in emotional & behavioural challenges & self regulation that may potentially provide helpful strategies & inter-ventions to address issues & allow troubled children to leave more healthy lives.Presenter Biographies: Colin Morrison has over 20 years’ experience working with children, youth & families in the mental health field. Colin has served primarily as youth care worker & case coordinator for families & children in the Child & Family Day Treatment Program at the IWK. He has extensive experience in developing & implementing skill groups with children, particularly in the area of emotional regulation, & providing supportive counselling to families. Colin is cur-rently completing a Master of Social Worker degree at Dalhousie University, & is working on a thesis related to male child-hood sexual abuse, & the impacts of "toxic masculinity" on mens' help seeking behaviours. He has a keen interest in trauma focused therapy, attachment theory, mens' health, & issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community.
Karen Carey has over 15 years’ experience working with children, youth & families as a social worker, youth care worker, case coordinator, in home support worker & direct care practitioner. Through evidence based & best practice methods, Karen is a strong advocate for the children, youth & families. Although Karen has strong roots in attachment theory, sys-tems theory, positive parenting, trauma & resilience; her personal philosophy is to promote mental, physical & emotional health/wellbeing though a solution focused & social learning model.
Together Colin & Karen have seen positive & long lasting benefits for children AND families when they are provided edu-cation, strategies, guidance, empathy & support. They see effective communication & open collaboration as the key ingredi-ents in supporting positive futures for the children & families under their care.Location: ONLINE
6 PD hours
$75
Registration for our MSVU workshops, along our PD brochure with full workshops details, descriptions and presenter bios is found online www.msvu.ca/earlychildhoodworkshops
See more details
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To view all upcoming workshops, please click here
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