Events

Join us to discuss the science behind the benefits of risky play, how risky play impacts literacy and learning, and how access to active outdoor play is essential for healthy child development.    Facilitator Bio:  Bookmates Inc. is a non-profit organization focused on the development, training and delivery of family literacy and learning programs.   Participation: 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.

Screens and technology have become part of childhood, and with them comes a new wave of emotional responses, behaviours, and attachment patterns. This workshop explores how digital connection affects children’s regulation, separation, attention, and social interaction and how educators can respond with understanding instead of frustration. Together, we unpack developmental needs, co-regulation strategies, and supportive approaches for families navigating the tech landscape.   Facilitator Bio: Marcia Nicole is a dedicated mother of three and the founder of Ispyr to Educate. Holding a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education, Curriculum and Development from Western University, and an Ontario Bachelor of Education with an OCT certification, Marcia bring over 20 years of rich experience to early childhood education. Her passion is to foster an environment where educators and students thrive together in creativity and discovery. Ispyr to Educate, they are committed to enhancing educational practices through dynamic workshops, targeted professional development, and personalized mentoring, empowering educators to continuously evolve and inspire their students. As an educational coach, Marcia's goal is to support and uplift educators in their journey towards professional excellence and personal fulfillment.   Participation: 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.

**Available in French Only** Comment savoir quand intervenir, quand offrir de l’aide et quand laisser l’enfant essayer par lui-même? Cet atelier invite les personnels éducateurs à réfléchir à leur rôle dans le développement de l’autonomie chez l’enfant. A travers des exemples concrets et des situations du quotidien en petite enfance, nous explorerons différentes façons de guider l'enfant sans faire à sa place. Nous verrons comment adapter notre accompagnement à ses capacités, lui laisser le temps d’essayer, valoriser ses efforts et transformer les petites routines quotidiennes en occasions d’apprentissage.   Facilitator Bio:  Le développement de l'enfant et les pratiques éducatives en petite enfance sont au cœur du travail d’Arielle depuis plusieurs années. Elle s’intéresse particulièrement à cette période déterminante où se construisent la curiosité, la confiance et le plaisir d’apprendre. Au fil de sa carrière, elle a exploré différentes réalités du milieu de la petite enfance. Elle a travaillé directement auprès des enfants comme éducatrice, dirige un service de garde éducatif et contribue à la mise en place de programmes destinés aux familles ayant de jeunes enfants. Elle a également animé des cours prénataux et postnataux ainsi que des groupes de soutien pour les parents, ce qui lui a permis de développer une compréhension approfondie des réalités vécues par les familles dès les premières étapes de la vie de l’enfant. Son parcours l’a aussi amenée à évoluer dans des contextes ou l’inclusion et l’adaptation des pratiques éducatives occupent une place importante, enrichissant sa compréhension du développement de l’enfant et du travail éducatif auprès des enfants, des familles et des équipes. Arielle enseigne depuis plusieurs années au programme d'éducation à l’enfance au Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick. Dans ce rôle, elle accompagne les futurs professionnels dans le développement de pratiques éducatives réfléchies et sensibles aux besoins des enfants. Son enseignement s’appuie sur son expérience de terrain et sur sa formation universitaire, qui s’est poursuivie jusqu'à l'obtention d’un baccalauréat en études de l’enfance et de la jeunesse avec une mineure en psychologie. Son expertise porte notamment sur la littératie émergente, l’observation et la documentation pédagogique, ainsi que sur l'intégration d'approches créatives dans les environnements éducatifs en petite enfance.

A 6-hour professional development workshop exclusive to directors of licensed child care centres on PEI. Spend the day with Jennifer Nangreaves and Megan Drummond delving into the Onboarding Toolkit - A Guide for Directors. The ECDA has created this ready-to-use resource and workshop training through funding from the Government of Canada and the Government of Prince Edward Island.  This workshop is designed to support Island leaders in implementing and enhancing a robust employee onboarding process. We will spend the day reviewing the Onboarding Toolkit - A Guide for Directors and practical processes within it. If you are curious about onboarding and why it is integral to creating a culture of excellence in your centre, this workshop is for you! 

Strong relationships are the foundation of student success. This workshop is designed for educators working with school-age children and explores how building positive, affective relationships supports positive behaviour, emotional well-being, and academic achievement. Educators will learn practical strategies to strengthen relationships with students, foster a positive classroom community, and implement effective classroom management techniques that encourage self-regulation, conflict resolution, and respectful communication. Through reflection, discussion, and real-life scenarios, educators will leave with practical tools they can use immediately to create safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments.   Facilitator Bio: Donna is a full-time faculty member of Vanier College Early childhood education department. A part- time course lecturer at McGill University, she has spent the last 23 years teaching, supervising and supporting students on their journey to becoming educators. Donna is the founder of The Infinite Educator, an organization that provides childcare consulting and workshops to the English School boards and childcare facilities in Quebec. She has given workshops for LEARN QUEBEC, QAPPD conference, Sir Wilfred Laurier School Board, New Frontier School as well as many daycare facilities throughout Montreal.       Please note that participants must register individually to attend professional learning sessions. 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.