Events

Back by popular demand!!    This 1.5-hour interactive session is designed by Tunes and Tales for early childhood educators working with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Participants will explore how to create and run a successful, developmentally appropriate music circle that supports connection, regulation, and joyful musical learning. The session will cover practical strategies for introducing and using musical elements, instruments and singing effectively with young children.  Educators will learn fun, new songs they can take directly into their classrooms.   Facilitator Bio:  Tunes and Tales is a PEI based musical storytelling group creating imaginative, interactive performances for children and families. Blending original songs, and visual storytelling through crankies, their shows invite audiences into rich story worlds that encourage creativity, empathy, and social-emotional learning.

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.

In-Person Session for Directors and Supervisors (no hybrid option available)   The session will present an overview of the PEI Employment Standards Act with a discussion about many of its standards that would be of interest to employers and employees. By the end of the presentation, participants will have a clearer understanding of how the Act applies to their roles, ensuring they are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of employment standards. There will also be a Q&A segment, allowing for direct engagement and clarification on any specific concerns or questions. Facilitator: Robert Yeo, Chief Employment Standards Officer, Employment Standards Branch Department of Workforce Advanced Learning and Population   A reminder as this is a free session, ECDA has a payment policy for this-- Failure to attend will result in a $20 Admin fee being applied to your account, and you must pay this prior to attending any future free sessions. This policy has been implemented due to many no-shows at events. We value our facilitators and their time, and we often have to cap session capacity so not showing up for an event impacts others who may have wanted to attend. 

The in-person session will present an overview of the PEI Employment Standards Act with a discussion about many of its standards that would be of interest to employers and employees. By the end of the presentation, participants will have a clearer understanding of how the Act applies to their roles, ensuring they are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of employment standards. There will also be a Q&A segment, allowing for direct engagement and clarification on any specific concerns or questions. Facilitator: Robert Yeo, Chief Employment Standards Officer, Employment Standards Branch Department of Workforce Advanced Learning and Population   A reminder as this is a free session, ECDA has a payment policy for this-- Failure to attend will result in a $20 Admin fee being applied to your account, and you must pay this prior to attending any future free sessions. This policy has been implemented due to many no-shows at events. We value our facilitators and their time, and we often have to cap session capacity so not showing up for an event impacts others who may have wanted to attend. 

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.