Workshops

Culturally Responsive Practice in Nova Scotia’s Early Learning and Child Care Settings is a 12-hour module developed in response to the ongoing enhancements to Nova Scotia’s Early Learning Curriculum Framework (NSELCF). Three (3) sub-modules have been designed to create a safe and ethical space for examining the nature of biases, prejudice, and assumptions. The modules unpack privilege and encourage participants to reflect on the historical and systemic roots of discrimination and racism. The modules reflect on the lived experiences of people who face these challenges in Nova Scotia. Each module is accompanied by home learning that will continue the conversations between modules.

Through a reflective approach, participants will become deeply aware of their own identities and the identities of the children, families, and communities they serve.

Disclaimer: The modules have been developed for synchronous learning. Participants are required to move through each of the modules in sequence, and with the same cohort. The inability to commit will result in a “restart” of the entire training. The objective of the modules is to demonstrate cultural responsiveness, thus, participants must demonstrate this understanding throughout. To do so, participants scheduled for online learning must work from an operational computer, with a working mic and camera.

Module 1: Laying Face and Foundation

Module Objectives:

• Understand who the Mi’kmaq are

• Understand who the Acadians are

• Understand who the Gaels are

• Understand who the African Nova Scotians are

• Explore and contextualize our understanding of culture

• Explore and contextualize our understanding of intersectionality

• Explore and articulate the intersections of race, nationality, gender, and sexuality

Module 1 provides space for the four (4) historical cultures of Nova Scotia to share themselves in a meaningful way. Participants will better understand the four (4) historical cultures, languages, and beliefs. Participants will explore and contextualize specific intersections and how they relate to culture and themselves.

Module 2: Faces of Discrimination

▪ Explore and contextualize our own privileges, biases, and opinions

▪ Explore and contextualize discrimination

▪ Explore and contextualize racism

▪ Explore and contextualize systemic racism

▪ Explore the Indian Act, Residential Schools, Africville, Racialized Policing, “All lives Matter” and, Social Determinants of Health

▪ Explore and contextualize micro-aggression

Module 2 requires participants to explore and contextualize their own privileges, biases, and opinions. Participants will explore how these interrelate with discrimination, racism, and moreover, systemic racism. Participants will specifically explore contemporary racism in Nova Scotia.

Module 3: Faces of Reconciliation

▪ Explore and contextualize reconciliation

▪ Explore Truth and Reconciliation

▪ Explore and review Education Calls to Action

▪ Explore Black Lives Matter

▪ Explore and review United Nations Rights of the Child

▪ Explore Educator’s role in the classroom

▪ Explore 7 Sacred Teachings as a tool

▪ Explore racism from birth onward

▪ Explore Nova Scotia’s Early Learning Curriculum Framework

▪ Explore and articulate culturally responsive practice

▪ Explore and contextualize Allyship

Module 3 provides space to explore the different types of reconciliation while acknowledging the need to act now. Participants explore their own roles in this work; specifically exploring cultural responsiveness as it relates to Early Learning and Child Care Settings and moreover the Early Learning Curriculum Framework.

Pre-registration agreements

• I agree to participate from an operational computer with a working mic and camera.
• I agree all information is confidential and will not be shared outside my group discussions or cohort of participants
• I agree to commit to the entire 12-hour schedule to receive credit.
• I agree to conduct myself in a professional manner and be respectful of other people’s perspectives, opinions, and ideas.
• I agree that I will show up fully committed and engaged in the work.

Facilitators: Adam Braye & Lea Anne Joudrie

Session Dates and Times:

Feb. 3 - 6:30PM - 8:30PM

Feb. 5 - 6:30PM - 8:30PM   

Feb. 10 - 6:30PM - 8:30PM 

Feb. 12 - 6:30PM - 8:30PM

Feb. 24 - 6:30PM - 8:30PM

Feb. 26 - 6:30PM - 8:30PM

Please note: This session will be held Online through Teams

Supporting Learning with Visuals - 120 mins (2 Hours)

Join us for an engaging 2-hour presentation on using visuals to support learning, understanding expectations and routines, and individualized programming.

Discover the differences between visuals and PECs, explore how visuals enhance understanding and routines, and learn practical tips for creating effective visuals and schedules tailored to children in learning environments.

Perfect for Educators who want to create inclusive and supportive learning environments where children can thrive!

Facilitators: Connor Bray-Stone & Megan MacDougall from Autism Nova Scotia

Register here: *Should you wish to inquire about registration or require any assistance, please feel free to contact Melissa Vail at melissa.vail@nscc.ca, We appreciate your understanding.

When: Tuesday February 25th from 6-8pm
Where: Online (Teams)
Cost: $23 
Limited spaces, which cannot be held without payment.

The deadline to withdraw from a workshop without penalty is two weeks to allow us to modify our supplies and contact our wait list. Withdrawals received by the deadline will result in a credit for a future workshop.

Please make arrangements to pay by cheque, credit card or you can drop off on campus.
Mailing address for cheque:
Early Childhood Development Support Centre – NSCC Burridge Campus
372 Pleasant Street, Yarmouth, NS B5A 2L2
902-742-7832

Credit card payments can be made through NSCC Student Services at 902-742-0760. Receipts will be emailed. Open hours are 9:00am to 4:00pm.

Culturally Responsive Practice in Nova Scotia’s Early Learning and Child Care Settings is a 12-hour module developed in response to the ongoing enhancements to Nova Scotia’s Early Learning Curriculum Framework (NSELCF). Three (3) sub-modules have been designed to create a safe and ethical space for examining the nature of biases, prejudice, and assumptions. The modules unpack privilege and encourage participants to reflect on the historical and systemic roots of discrimination and racism. The modules reflect on the lived experiences of people who face these challenges in Nova Scotia. Each module is accompanied by home learning that will continue the conversations between modules.

Through a reflective approach, participants will become deeply aware of their own identities and the identities of the children, families, and communities they serve.

Disclaimer: The modules have been developed for synchronous learning. Participants are required to move through each of the modules in sequence, and with the same cohort. The inability to commit will result in a “restart” of the entire training. The objective of the modules is to demonstrate cultural responsiveness, thus, participants must demonstrate this understanding throughout. To do so, participants scheduled for online learning must work from an operational computer, with a working mic and camera.

Module 1: Laying Face and Foundation

Module Objectives:

• Understand who the Mi’kmaq are

• Understand who the Acadians are

• Understand who the Gaels are

• Understand who the African Nova Scotians are

• Explore and contextualize our understanding of culture

• Explore and contextualize our understanding of intersectionality

• Explore and articulate the intersections of race, nationality, gender, and sexuality

Module 1 provides space for the four (4) historical cultures of Nova Scotia to share themselves in a meaningful way. Participants will better understand the four (4) historical cultures, languages, and beliefs. Participants will explore and contextualize specific intersections and how they relate to culture and themselves.

Module 2: Faces of Discrimination

▪ Explore and contextualize our own privileges, biases, and opinions

▪ Explore and contextualize discrimination

▪ Explore and contextualize racism

▪ Explore and contextualize systemic racism

▪ Explore the Indian Act, Residential Schools, Africville, Racialized Policing, “All lives Matter” and, Social Determinants of Health

▪ Explore and contextualize micro-aggression

Module 2 requires participants to explore and contextualize their own privileges, biases, and opinions. Participants will explore how these interrelate with discrimination, racism, and moreover, systemic racism. Participants will specifically explore contemporary racism in Nova Scotia.

Module 3: Faces of Reconciliation

▪ Explore and contextualize reconciliation

▪ Explore Truth and Reconciliation

▪ Explore and review Education Calls to Action

▪ Explore Black Lives Matter

▪ Explore and review United Nations Rights of the Child

▪ Explore Educator’s role in the classroom

▪ Explore 7 Sacred Teachings as a tool

▪ Explore racism from birth onward

▪ Explore Nova Scotia’s Early Learning Curriculum Framework

▪ Explore and articulate culturally responsive practice

▪ Explore and contextualize Allyship

Module 3 provides space to explore the different types of reconciliation while acknowledging the need to act now. Participants explore their own roles in this work; specifically exploring cultural responsiveness as it relates to Early Learning and Child Care Settings and moreover the Early Learning Curriculum Framework.

Pre-registration agreements

• I agree to participate from an operational computer with a working mic and camera.
• I agree all information is confidential and will not be shared outside my group discussions or cohort of participants
• I agree to commit to the entire 12-hour schedule to receive credit.
• I agree to conduct myself in a professional manner and be respectful of other people’s perspectives, opinions, and ideas.
• I agree that I will show up fully committed and engaged in the work.

Facilitators: Adam Braye & Lea Anne Joudrie

Session Dates and Times:

Feb. 3 - 6:30PM - 8:30PM

Feb. 5 - 6:30PM - 8:30PM   

Feb. 10 - 6:30PM - 8:30PM 

Feb. 12 - 6:30PM - 8:30PM

Feb. 24 - 6:30PM - 8:30PM

Feb. 26 - 6:30PM - 8:30PM

Learning with Mi'kma'ki is a new professional development opportunity for early childhood professionals in Nova Scotia. This training provides an opportunity for participants to see the natural environment, Earth science, sustainability, reciprocity, and interconnectedness, with two eyes — Etuaptmumk (ed-do-up-dm-momk). The work represents Mi’kmaw-first voice, with the support and advice of a standing committee.

The 6-hour course is an introduction for Early Childhood Educators to explore their immediate relationship with place and how this knowledge can be integrated in learning environments for Early Learners. The field book, which is a part of the training, requires participants to reflect on knowledge and teachings. It helps guide participants in understanding how they, as members of this place, are to be present and, in turn, how being present can be directly linked to the work of Early Learning and Child Care.

TOPICS EXPLORED:

Part 1: Indoor Presentation and Reflection

• Explore Mi’kma’ki
• Explore Land Acknowledgments
• Explore the traditional territory and seven (7) districts
• Explore who are the Mi’kmaq
• Explore Mi’kmaw ways of knowing and being
• Explore the teachings of Netukulimk
• Explore the differences between a gift economy and a wage economy
• Explore how this knowledge relates to early learners
• Explore the importance of play
• Explore the differences between outdoor education, outdoor learning, and land-based learning
• Explore personal skill sets
• Explore Etuaptmumk
• Explore relationships with place

Part 2: Outdoor Activities and Discussions

• Sitting with Land Activity
• Observe – Memorize – Compare Protocol: bird watching
• Observe – Memorize – Compare Protocol: plants and trees
• Talking Circle reflection
• Etuaptmumk – Two-Eyed Seeing
• Case study on outing with children – reflection and discussion.

Facilitator: Cynthia Urtubia

Session Date and Times: Saturday, March 1, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Location: 

9AM-12Pm - NSCC Kingstec 236 Belcher Street, Kentville, NS

12PM-1PM - Lunch

1PM-4PM - Miners Marsh (Miner's Marsh, 77 Barclay St, Kentville, NS B4N 1H1)

Please note the washroom facilities a Miner's Marsh is a Porta Potty Outhouse.

Please come prepared to spend at least 3 hours outdoors, dress for the weather and have appropriate footwear; and a bring a water bottle, 

To register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/nscc-kingstec-learning-with-mikmaki-tickets-1217001246489?aff=oddtdtcreator

Please contact Sara Graves - sara.graves@nscc.ca for questions or more information.

Participants will explore the importance of parent/caregiver engagement in the early childhood caregiving environment, challenges to parent/caregiver engagement, and strategies for encouraging meaningful parental engagement in the early care setting.

Facilitator: Sesaly Davidson

Sesaly Davidson has been an adult educator for 12 years and has been working with children and their caregivers for 19 years. She has experience as a childcare provider and is currently employed with the NS Department of Community Services as a Family Support Worker where she assesses the needs of parents, children and families at risk and shares information, knowledge and skills with parents and caregivers as it relates to attachment parenting, child development, responsive caregiving, trauma, safety, supervision and more. She provides counselling and education to families to promote early childhood mental health; communication, conflict resolution and problem-solving skills. Sesaly facilitates professional development sessions for staff (co-facilitated Understanding Trauma and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder; facilitated Vicarious Trauma and Secondary Traumatic Stress, The Brain Architecture Game, etc.). She also facilitates parenting, relationship-based and child development programs with parents, caregivers and classroom teachers, such as Circle of Security Parenting (certified facilitator of COSP and COSP Classroom, an international initiative related to early childhood) and The Growing Brain: From Birth to Five Years Old (certified facilitator of TGB, a curriculum in early brain development for Early Childhood Educators). Sesaly has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Acadia University, a certificate in Adult Education from Dalhousie University and a certificate in Infant Mental Health from The Toronto Hospital for Sick Kids.

Fee: $30

Deadline to register: March 1,  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