Event: 2025 Fall Conference: Rooted in Care

E06: Play and Regulation & An ECE's Role in the Care of Children and Families

Morning Session: Play and Regulation with Jess Findlay An information session on the vital role of play in supporting emotional regulation in children. This session will explore how different types of play—such as sensory play, imaginative play, and movement-based play—can help children explore emotions, build resilience, and develop self-regulation skills in a natural and engaging way. We will discuss how play provides a safe space for children to express feelings, experiment with coping strategies, and develop the foundations for social-emotional learning. Practical examples will be shared on how to recognize when children are using play to process emotions—such as repetitive themes, role-play scenarios, or changes in play intensity—and how adults can support and respond to this in the moment by joining in, offering co-regulation, and creating a safe, responsive environment. Afternoon Session: An ECE\'s Role in the Care of Children and Families with Amy Sullivan Do you every wonder “does that I do really make a different?” Together, we will unpack your role as an ECE in the care of children and their families. We will dig into your image of a child, your image of a family and your image of an educator. Through a power point presentation, open discussion and interactive experiences you will learn about things like attachment, self-regulation and co-regulation. Let’s get back to our root and answer the question, “does what I do really matter?”.

Date: November 7, 2025
Time: 8:30 AM
Location: Morning & Afternoon Session: Confederation Centre