Helping PEI families make the early years count!

This session will explore ADHD, how this diagnosis can impact children within early years, and how one of the most important tools for support actually exists ‘outside’ of our classroom walls - not within it. Participants will work through past bias and misunderstandings of this diagnosis to create space for current, holistic, neurodiversity-affirming practice. We explore what’s happening at a brain-based level, and how engagement with nature and movement can not only properly support children with ADHD, but allow them to thrive. Facilitator Bio: Monica is a neurodiversity-affirming consultant, providing direct service delivery to children and their families for over 14 years. Her company, Bloom Behaviour, has taken her coast to coast across Canada and the USA encouraging educators to both honour and nurture neurodiversity with inclusive classroom spaces.   Participants will be given the link to the video and are required to participate in one of two ways-- with a microphone/built in speaker or through the chat. In addition there will be a log tracking which members contribute and which do not, and those that do not contribute will not receive PD hours. We ask that you leave your camera on for the session.

The session will review the relationship between screen time and health during the early years.  It will also review current recommendations for screen use in this age group, and ways to limit screen use in the classroom and at home.   Facilitator Bio: Travis Saunders is a Professor in the Department of Applied Human Sciences at UPEI.  His work examines the relationship between physical activity and health across the lifespan.

Presentation from representatives from Social Development & Seniors on Child Care Subsidy   The Director Network Meeting gathers on the third Wednesday of each month from 9:30 am - 12:00 pm. We are happy to provide a hybrid meeting space, with the option to meet in-person at the ECDA Boardroom or via Zoom, to help with travel house ratio i.e., if you're cooking lunch. This network is open to all supervisors, directors, and administrators of licensed early learning and childcare programs. The intention of the group is to encourage open conversation and collaboration to enhance quality practices, such as human resource practices and policies, pedagogy, and leadership. We have an open-door policy for all network meetings, we invite you to come as you are, when you can, if you are in a supervisor position! We will share and support each other in our professional and pedagogical roles. Each meeting we will spend our time together thinking more deeply about topics of interest, current trends and daily practice. We will approach problems from a solution-based lens together and have lively and respectful round table discussions. We would love to have someone from every centre join us as we continue to support one another through the journey! Bring yourself, invite a friend, and we can't wait to meet you, or see you again :)