Events List

Date: Thursday April 25 (6:30pm – 9pm), Saturday May 4 (9am-1pm), and Saturday May 25, 2024 (9am-1pm).
Cost: $115 
Total PD hours: 10.5 hrs 
Location: IN PERSON 
Presenters: Shari Ridgewell & Denise Stone

Description:   In this fast-paced environment of early learning & care, leaders are often challenged to adhere to & make decisions that are in the best interest of young children. This workshop series will provide program leaders (e.g. Directors, Board members, pedagogical leaders, inclusion coordinators), the opportunity to reflect on ethical decision making which supports action, duties & obligations that respect the rights of children, families & communities.
Participants will work on identifying ethical dilemmas they experience & use tools identified in the session to problem solve from an 'ethical perspective'. They will learn how to identify 'root causes' of the issues, applying either current or new skills to create possible solutions, & practice leadership proficiencies in applying ethical decision making between workshop sessions. Participants will review their current policies, & draft, or revise, a child -centered policy(s) for use within their organization.
Keeping children in the fore front of all decision making, participants will explore how ethical practice demonstrates respect for others, enabling leaders to be courageous & to act with integrity when confronted with ethical dilemmas,
Objectives:
To understand ethics & the need for ethical leadership in early childhood programs.
To explore ethical decision making & practices across diverse cultures & social contexts.
To identify common ethical dilemmas that arise from caring for young children.
To explore how ethical leadership respects diverse opinions & supports positive outcomes for children & families.


Presenter Biographies: Shari Ridgewell, M.Ed. is an early childhood educator with 40+ years’ experience in the field. She has worked with all age groups; as child care administrator; an early childhood education consultant; a trainer of early childhood students; professional development provider & as an advocate for high quality inclusive child care. She recently retired from the Nova Scotia Government after 22 years working in licensing, program consulting, & policy development. In her last 5 years of public service, she coordinated the initial implementation of the Pyramid Model in Nova Scotia & continues as a member of the Provincial Pyramid Model Leadership Team. Shari continues to support the social emotional development & well-being of all young children in her consulting work with the Pyramid Model Consortium.

Denise Stone is an early childhood professional with over 40 years of experience working in the early learning & child care sector. Some of her experiences include, early intervention, child care management, licensing, & post secondary course delivery & workshop facilitation. Prior to her retirement from the provincial government in 2021, Denise held several positions during her 20 years as a civil servant. Over the course of her career, Denise’s focus has always been to ensure the provision of high quality early learning & child care experiences for children & their families, & supporting professionalism within the sector.

Date: Saturday April 27 (9am-3 pm) AND Monday May 6, 2024 6:30-8:30 
Cost: $85 
Total PD hours: 8 PD hours
Location: INPERSON & ONLINE 
Presenter: Blair Hill

Description:  Join Early Childhood Education Faculty & former Childcare Director Blair Hill for this custom-designed workshop: “Difficult Conversations for Leaders”.

As Directors & Leaders, you are often in the position of having to initiate sensitive conversations with staff & parents. In fact, having these discussions is a critical part of your role.
Goals of Workshop

• Understand why having difficult conversations is important to the success of your program?
• Gain tips for having difficult conversations with employees
• Gain tips for having difficult conversations with parents

Presenter Biography: Blair Hill has worked in the field of early childhood education for over 38 years & holds diplomas in Early Childhood Education & Adult Education. As a life-long learner he continues to take courses to further his education & stay current in the field. He is the Lead Faculty for the Early Childhood Education Program at NSCC, Marconi Campus. He also is a faculty & Subject Matter Expert for the NSCC Early Childhood Education Advanced Certificate Program. Blair has been facilitating workshops for the ECE sector for over 25 years & is a Provincial Facilitator for Capable, Confident, & Curious: Nova Scotia’s Early Years Curriculum Framework. He has also been involved with the SHEY (Sexual Health in the Early Years) committee since its beginning. Blair lives with his cat Max & enjoys travelling & spending time in the outdoors.

Date: Wednesdays May 1, 8 & 15, 2024 Time: 6:30 pm—8:30 pm Cost: $75 Total PD hours: 6 hours Location: ONLINE Presenter: Kathy Black

Description:  All children, youth & adults benefit from participating in daily physical activity. This 3-part series will review why physical activity is important for young children, & the role of the educator or care provider to plan daily opportunities. A variety of activities & materials for young children will be discussed to promote active play through-out the day in the indoor & outdoor environments. Participants are encouraged to share photos of their active play opportunities to showcase during session 3.
Session 1: Information provided on how much physical activity is recommended for young children from birth to school age. Movement skills for each developmental stage will be reviewed, with suggestions on how to keep chil-dren physically active throughout the daily routine.
Session 2: Discussion regarding the common play patterns & how to support children during play.
Understanding the adult’s role in encouraging & guiding daily indoor & outdoor active play opportunities for the children in their care.
Session 3: Review the importance of child lead & risky play opportunities for young children.
Examples of how educators & care providers successfully provide materials, space, & time throughout the day.
Photos of physical activity ideas from the participants will be shared.
Goals: Participants will understand why physical activity is important for young children & the movement skills for each developmental stage. Participants will learn how to support children during different types of play. Participants will share & observe a variety of indoor & outdoor physical play experiences to incorporate into their early child-hood settings.

Presenter Biography; Kathy Black has been supporting children, families, and educators for over 35 years. Through-out her career in early childhood education, she has enjoyed various roles as an educator, consultant, licensing officer, faculty, and facilitator. Kathy currently works at Edward Jost Childrens Centre, fulfilling the role as Inclusion Coordina-tor. Meeting children, families, and educators where they are at has been a practice that continues to guide Kathy throughout her career.

Date: Saturday May 11, 2024 9 am –12 noon & Tuesday May 14, 2024, 6 -9 pm Cost: $75
Total PD hours: 6 hrs Location: ONLINE Presenters: Karen Carey & Colin Morrison

Description:  Research shows Newcomers have higher levels of anxiety and depression compared with those born in Canada, yet are less likely to seek help for their mental health challenges. In 2023, Canada welcomed more than 430,000 permanent residents, with plans to hold another 505,000 by the end of 2024. Given the increased numbers seen in our communities, this presentation will elaborate on the psychological stress Newcomers face and the long-term impacts of anxiety, depression, and PTSD if support is not received. Our presentation will also discuss how ECEs must be responsi-ble for incorporating diversity into the curriculum and environment. It will also explore the importance of being cultural-ly sensitive and trauma-informed and the need to actively collaborate with families, community members, and the mental health system. Objectives:
The psychological stress newcomers face
How ECEs and their workplaces can be culturally sensitive and trauma-informed.
The importance and ways ECE can help families connect with local mental health services as needed

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.

Date: Saturday May 11, 2024 9 am –12 noon & Tuesday May 14, 2024, 6 -9 pm Cost: $75
Total PD hours: 6 hrs Location: ONLINE Presenters: Karen Carey & Colin Morrison

Description:  Research shows Newcomers have higher levels of anxiety and depression compared with those born in Canada, yet are less likely to seek help for their mental health challenges. In 2023, Canada welcomed more than 430,000 permanent residents, with plans to hold another 505,000 by the end of 2024. Given the increased numbers seen in our communities, this presentation will elaborate on the psychological stress Newcomers face and the long-term impacts of anxiety, depression, and PTSD if support is not received. Our presentation will also discuss how ECEs must be responsi-ble for incorporating diversity into the curriculum and environment. It will also explore the importance of being cultural-ly sensitive and trauma-informed and the need to actively collaborate with families, community members, and the mental health system. Objectives:
The psychological stress newcomers face
How ECEs and their workplaces can be culturally sensitive and trauma-informed.
The importance and ways ECE can help families connect with local mental health services as needed

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.

Date: Wednesdays May 1, 8 & 15, 2024 Time: 6:30 pm—8:30 pm Cost: $75 Total PD hours: 6 hours Location: ONLINE Presenter: Kathy Black

Description:  All children, youth & adults benefit from participating in daily physical activity. This 3-part series will review why physical activity is important for young children, & the role of the educator or care provider to plan daily opportunities. A variety of activities & materials for young children will be discussed to promote active play through-out the day in the indoor & outdoor environments. Participants are encouraged to share photos of their active play opportunities to showcase during session 3.
Session 1: Information provided on how much physical activity is recommended for young children from birth to school age. Movement skills for each developmental stage will be reviewed, with suggestions on how to keep chil-dren physically active throughout the daily routine.
Session 2: Discussion regarding the common play patterns & how to support children during play.
Understanding the adult’s role in encouraging & guiding daily indoor & outdoor active play opportunities for the children in their care.
Session 3: Review the importance of child lead & risky play opportunities for young children.
Examples of how educators & care providers successfully provide materials, space, & time throughout the day.
Photos of physical activity ideas from the participants will be shared.
Goals: Participants will understand why physical activity is important for young children & the movement skills for each developmental stage. Participants will learn how to support children during different types of play. Participants will share & observe a variety of indoor & outdoor physical play experiences to incorporate into their early child-hood settings.

Presenter Biography; Kathy Black has been supporting children, families, and educators for over 35 years. Through-out her career in early childhood education, she has enjoyed various roles as an educator, consultant, licensing officer, faculty, and facilitator. Kathy currently works at Edward Jost Childrens Centre, fulfilling the role as Inclusion Coordina-tor. Meeting children, families, and educators where they are at has been a practice that continues to guide Kathy throughout her career.

Date: Thursdays: May 16 & 23, 2024 (6:30-8:30 pm both dates) Cost: $50 Total PD hours: 4 PD hours
Location: ONLINE Presenter: Liz Hicks

Description:  Literacy and numeracy skills are critical to make sense of the world around us.
Learning to read is not just about being able to read words. It is necessary for us to be able to read but more importantly to understand what we are reading. In a rich language environment child want to know what words mean, how to de-code symbols known as letters, etc. and understand the variety of signs, and loved books they see and hear daily.
The same applies to numeracy. When we talk about numeracy concepts we think about more than just number. We think about the broad areas of measurement, about spatial knowledge and the many different aspects of number.
Children see adults using math daily… and it fascinates them.
In these workshops you explore both worlds – literacy and numeracy. Sharing ideas, activities, and inspirations to use both indoors and outdoors.
Objectives: Increase your understanding of why literacy and numeracy acquisition are important; Help you achieve a deep-er knowledge of literacy and numeracy; Explain how we can be more intentional with activities which support beginning development in literacy and numeracy.
Facilitator Biography:
Liz Hicks, 41 years in early childhood, in various capacities, & at present a private consultant working in early childhood education in NS, providing consulting & professional development in a variety of topics.
‘I believe children are capable, curious & have an innate need to connect with people & the world around them, which is also a belief I have for the educators that work with the children.’