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Sharing Our Stories, Finding Our Voices
Wednesday November 17 to Friday November 19, 2010
Exemplary Parent Engagement -- Lets Talk (more details)
Post Conference Institute
Saturday November 20, 2010 (National Child Day)
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Conference Schedule
Please note these are subject to change.
There is no pre-registration for workshops.
| Wednesday, November 17, 2010 |
| 4 pm - 6 pm |
Registration |
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6:00 pm
6:30 pm |
AGM
Welcome reception featuring the Blue Raven drummers |
Atrium |
| Thursday, November 18, 2010 |
| 8 am - 9 am |
Registration and Continental breakfast |
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| 9 am - 10 am |
Keynote
Hear our Voices..The Story of Indigenous Early Learning, Building Change One Voice at a Time
It has been said that in the time of the changing Mother Earth, children would be sent to us with all of the gifts of the ancestors. They would be the visionaries, the leaders and the artists that we read about….they are coming back to us again in the spirits of our children. It is our duty to raise them in the best way possible, bring forward their identities through language culture and spirituality” Diane Longboat, Mohawk Spiritual Leader.
In order to bring forward the gifts of the ancestors, Indigenous children must have access to the same universal child development opportunities as available to the rest of Ontario and Canada. This keynote will focus on the story of the Indigenous early learning community in Ontario and the development of a unified voice to represent all Indigenous children in the province in relationship to early learning and care. The importance of advocating for policy and systems level change within Indigenous early learning will be discussed and possibilities for change will be presented.
Laurie Hermiston, Ontario Indigenous Early Learning Working Group, Chair, Aboriginal Advisory Group to Best Start Toronto
Laurie Hermiston has been working with the Indigenous community on a local, provincial and national level for the past 15 years. Her work has focused on raising capacity in the area of Indigenous health and social issues, as well as employment,training and education. Over the past four years she has focused her efforts on Indigenous early learning and care, and the development of an unified voice in the Province to support Indigenous children and their families. She has worked with several organizations, governments and educational institutions to develop and support programing within the Indigenous community.
She is a Chair for the Aboriginal Advisory Group to Best Start Toronto, and a member of the Toronto Best Start Network, the Toronto Children Services Advisory Committee, and the Ontario Indigenous Early Learning Working Group. She is a member of the George Brown Aboriginal Advisory Board, and most recently participated as a member an Indigenous early learning expert advisory panel for a Health Nexus project on Supporting Indigenous Children's Development. Ms Hermiston is of Ojibway, Scottish and English ancestory. She is is originally from Sault Ste, Marie, Ontario, where her home community is Batchewana First Nation. |
Toronto BC |
10:30 am - 12:30
noon |
Workshop Block A |
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A1 |
SNAP: Crime Prevention and Intervention Program
We will focus on Stop Now and Plan (SNAP) benefits and describe the scope of our program and how children and families benefit from our service. We will also provide information for service providers on how to access our program’s at St. Leonard’s Society of Toronto and how to make a referral.
Sarena Sairan Program Director, Child Worker & Outreach Coordinator, SNAP Program, St. Leonard’s Society of Toronto.
Serena graduated from Ryerson University with a masters of Arts in Childhood studies. In her thesis she focused on the politics of identity and difference, and brings her renewed commitment in reducing marginalization and isolations for families with difference. Sarena is enjoying the challenge of bringing SNAP to life at St. Leonard’s Society of Toronto.
Ruby Teskey-Williams Child and Youth Worker, Humber College
Ruby has many years of experience working in women’s health, social justice and community radio. Ruby is an honour graduate of Humber College’s Child and Youth Worker Diploma and recent member of the OACYC. Ruby brings her own unique creative flare and enthusiasm to the team and has a holistic approach to working with her clients. |
Markham/
Pickering |
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A2 |
Anti Bias Literacy Environments
In this workshop we will look at creating anti bias literacy environments that promote the concept of empathy. Supporting a child's transition from home language over to english language learning will also be a focus of this workshop. Ideas for creating anti bias literacy activities will also be included through early authoring, book nook transformations and parent involvement. Small group brainstorming will identify challenges that we face and the successes that we share. A portion of the workshop will also be devoted to common myths around english language learners, and some mainstream ideas around home language preservation and the best practices in promoting bilingualism.
Alka Burman Early Literacy Specialist and Parent Educator, Region of Peel, Human Services
Alka is an early literacy specialist with a degree in exceptionalities in Human Learning. Alka is also a Registered Early Childhood Educator specializing in anti-bias learning environment and programs. Alka currently works for the Region of Peel in the Children’s Services Department as an Early Years Literacy Specialist. Much of Alka’s work provides agencies with training on providing multilingual learning environment. |
Leaside |
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A3 |
Book Bag & Reading Club – Using Just-Right Books to Support Literacy in the Community
This presentation will provide an overview of Book Bag & Reading Club program and its benefits to children and the communities they serve. Participants will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with and explore the characteristics of actual levelled books in order to understand their usefulness in the process of learning to read. Discussion will also include the impact of low literacy on such varied areas as crime rates, the economy, and health care, and the need for families to receive support from the community in order to take a more active role in their children’s literacy learning, particularly at the earliest stages when potential problems could be averted.
Sheilah Currie , Author, Editor, Teacher
Sheilah Currie is a literacy teacher and children’s author. Sheilah started her career as an actor in theatre, film and television and gave up her life of glamour for a life of grammar. She earned an honours degree in English and Bachelor of Education and worked as a literacy teacher in elementary school in both the York Region and Toronto District School Boards, helping at-risk children learn to read. She has launched and continues to provide two reading clubs in inner-city community centres, for which she received a City of Toronto Community Service Volunteer Award. |
York |
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A4 |
My Child is too "shy" to speak to others, do I need to worry?
Shy children tend to be "slow" to warm up to; some will even refuse to speak at social situations. However, if a child is capable of speaking but remains consistently mute for more than one month when speech is expected, waiting for the child "to grow out of" shyness may not happen, as the child may be suffering from Selective Mutism (SM).
Due to extreme anxiety, children with SM are unable to speak in social situations such as school, despite being capable of speaking in private settings. Therefore, it is common for these children to freeze in spot when spoken to or when speech is expected from them. These behaviours often frustrate teachers who have limited knowledge of SM when they know that their students speak perfectly at home.
This workshop presentation highlights specific aspects of SM as well as emphasizes the importance of early intervention and accommodation for these children. Through extensive research and professional experiences, accommodation strategies and techniques will be provided for educators to: 1) be equipped with strategies to engage students with SM in classroom activities; and 2) to maximize children’s ability to communicate in creative ways.
Poling Bork Faculty of Education, Brock University
Poling has devoted the past 7 years to help her son overcome Selective Mutism (SM). Poling is dedicating her doctoral research in psychoeducational assessments and interventions for children with SM.
Debra Harwood, Faculty of Education, Brock University
Debra is a member of the Faculty of Education of Brock University where she teaches courses and conducts research in the field of Early Childhood Education. She has been involved in the area of Early Childhood Education for more than 20 years. Her research pursuits examine holistic education and family practices to support optimal learning and caring environments for the early years. |
Port Union |
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A5 |
The Power of Parents as Agents of Change
"The Parent is the first and most important teacher "- what does this really mean? This session will provide an overview of how to build on the strength of the family to successfully engage parents in their child's learning in school based Parenting and Family Literacy Centres. The central focus of this program is to actively engage families as partners in their child’s learning and build the bridge between home and school This session will share the concept of these play-based programs and how to provide an inclusive program that sets the stage for parent engagement in diverse and multi cultural communities. Kim Fritz, a front line Parent Worker with Toronto District School Board, will share strategies, the challenges and the success stories based on her personal experiences of working with many families over the years. The session will include the latest research that demonstrates the many ways in which this evidence based program has improved academic outcomes for children in vulnerable, culturally diverse communities.
Ruth Sischy, Manager and Policy Advisor, Parent and Family Literacy Centres, Toronto District School Board
Ruth Sischy has been involved in early years programming for over 35 years. Ruth started with the Toronto District School Board as a Parent Worker in an inner city school in 1989 and has remained committed, dedicated and passionate about the delivery of early learning experiences and support to families in high need communities. Ruth is currently the Manager and Policy Advisor in the Toronto District School Board and oversees the day to day operations of a vast inner city network of Parenting and Family Literacy Centres. Ruth has been a consultant to the Ministry of Education for the past 3 years and continues to work closely with the Ministry and Parenting and Family Literacy Manager Network to support the expansion of parenting and Family Literacy Centres across Ontario.
Kim Fritz, Parent Worker, Toronto District School Board
Kim Fritz has worked in the field of early learning for over 20 years in a variety of settings. Kim is currently a Parent Worker in a school which has a population that has a diverse representation of many experiences and cultures. Kim will share her hands on experience of how to meet the needs of both the children and their parents in this high need community. |
Ajax/Whitby |
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A6 |
Kids Have Stress Too!
Kids Have Stress Too! Helps parents and caregivers understand childhood stress and how to provide children with the tools to deal with stress effectively. It is a broad-based primary prevention program to provide parents, caregivers, and communities with the knowledge, awareness, and skills to help young people become healthier and more resilient through learning how to manage their stress.
Jill Levine, Facilitator, Kids Have Stress Too!, The Psychology Foundation of Canada
Jill has worked in the social service sector for over 25 years working directly with young children, families and professionals. Currently in private practice Jill delivers training to front line workers across Canada building capacity to strengthen families. |
Durham |
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A7 |
Rejuvenation of the Family Support Practitioner’s Spirit
Are you feeling drained, tired, and stressed at the end of the day? Most Family Support Practitioners experience some, if not all, of these maladies. During this workshop we will explore new ways for you to access your inner strength and become rejuvenated. Bring your weary spirits and feel them soar by the end of this session.
Carolyn Hadcock, Instructor, Seneca Collage
Building the foundation for children, Miss Carolyn, bachelor of Teaching, E.C.E.C., has been involved in the Early Childhood Education field for over 25 years. Carolyn is the founder of her own consulting business offering current knowledge, skills and tools to enhance early childhood educator’s and parent’s abilities through keynote speaking, workshops and seminars. Her experience includes motherhood, front line staff and supervisor for 10 years in a childcare and concurrently teaching at Seneca College. |
Rouge Hill |
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A8 |
Listening to Families: Reframing Services
This Interactive Workshop will give participants an overview of The Listening to Families: Reframing Services project, which is premised on the belief that when service providers know the rich and complex stories of the families they serve, they can reach out to more families who are not benefitting from their services, and increase the effectiveness of their work for families they already serve. Examples of family narratives will be shared with participants and a comprehensive bibliography will also be provided.
Dr. Patricia Corson Professor in the School of Early Childhood Education, Ryerson University
Dr. Patricia Corson is a professor in the School of Early Childhood Education, Ryerson University. Her teaching and research focuses on child development within socio-cultural contexts, families and school readiness.
Dr. Elaine Frankel, Professors in the School of Early Childhood Education, Ryerson University
Dr. Elaine Frankel is a professor in the School of Early Childhood Education, Ryerson University. Her teaching and research focuses on children with special needs and their families, international perspectives of inclusion, and educational change processes. |
Unionville |
| 12:30 pm - 2 pm |
Lunch and Exhibits |
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| 2 pm - 4 pm |
Workshop Block B |
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B1 |
We All Belong
This workshop will promote inclusive practices in early childhood settings and explore program wide opportunities to teach specific skills such as social development and anger management. General classroom strategies will also be discussed.
Jennifer Anzin Etobicoke/York Early Childhood Services
Jennifer Anzin has worked for Community Living Toronto as an Early Childhood Consultant for over twenty years. She has been involved with families and children with developmental disabilities and other special needs in a variety of early intervention programs.
Cathy Kerr, Early Childhood Consultant, Community Living Toronto
Cathy Kerr has worked in Early Intervention for nearly twenty years supporting children with developmental delays and their families and preschool educators for the past 5 years. Our mandate has expanded to include children with a variety of support needs. |
Rouge Hill |
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B2 |
Never Too Young for Social Justice
In an Outline of History, written nearly 100 years ago, H.G. Wells said that “human history becomes more and more a race between education and catastrophe” I fear that we are losing that race. Working with young children, you can play a role in making sure that they are learning how to live in peace and harmony. In this session Dr. Bereskin will use stories and observations from her own experience in education to highlight some of the things we need to be doing to ensure that our students are prepared for lives that are publically useful and privately happy. Come prepared to think as if there is no box.
Dr. Sylvia Bereskin, Director, Sylvia Bereskin Educational Illumination
Dr. Sylvia Solomon-Bereskin has been a teacher for over 30 years. She has taught from Grade 3 to graduate school – in 3 school boards and 6 universities – and continues to teach a graduate course in Social Justice in Education at Ryerson University. She has specialized in Behaviour Management, Gifted Education, ESL, as well as race, social class, gender and social justice issues in education. She has worked with schools in Canada, the United States, Israel, China, Guyana, Kosovo and Tanzania. She has published articles in numerous journals and books. After working for the ministry of Education for 14 years she retired from her role as coordinator of the ESL/ELD provincial team in October 2008. A committed traveler, Sylvia recently returned from Antarctica. The mother of three and grandmother of four, her commitment to education that prepares children to leave in peace and harmony is unwavering. |
York |
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B3 |
Life With a Baby: A Parent Engagement Success Story
We will explore how a Mom on maternity leave created a successful family support instrument. Life with A Baby (LWAB) is a three tiered support system offering online support, multi-week parenting programs with a focus on peer support, open discussion through blog/forum and local community based events. The program offers continuous support throughout the first five years.
Claire Kerr-Zlobin , Founder and Program Director of Healthy Start, Healthy Future
Clari Kerr-Zlobin is a first time mom to a wonderful three year ol daughter, who is the inspiration for the LWAB program. Claire founded the organization after she had her own child and found herself facing social isolation, anxiety, nervousness and worried to tell anyone for fear of someone taking away her baby. She found herself asking “why didn’t anyone tell me about this stage?” Claire searched to find a group to join or an organization that provided peer based support and when she couldn’t find one she decided to create one herself purely to survive the first year. |
Markham/
Pickering |
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B4 |
Shhhh! It’s a secret… Advocacy is truly Amazing!
This workshop offers and exploration of personal and professional leadership. Integrating Advocacy into our daily lives to help make the change we need to see. A real spotlight on women leadership skills and our ability to impact our community.
Andrea Calver, Co-ordinator, Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care
Andrea Calver is the Coordinator of the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care. The Coalition is Ontario’s advocacy group for universal, affordable, high quality and not-for-profit child care. The Coalition engages our member child care centers, provincial organizations including CFS-Ontario and the broader child care community to advocate for more funding for child care programs and more funding for child care staff and ECE’s.
The Ontario Coalition for Better child care works with child care centres, parents and child care advocates to raise voices locally, at Queen’s Park and in Ottawa for affordable child care for every child in Ontario.
Among other activities, each year it sponsors Child Care Worker and ECE Appreciation Day, participates in pre-budget and budget day activities for the Federal and Provincial Budgets and organizes a Queen’s Park lobby for child care funding.
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Port Union |
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B5 |
The Father Factor: Connecting Men to their Children
There are many things to look at when reaching fathers in your community. The Father Factor will give you tried and true strategies and resources for engaging men and offer insights into the experience of fathers today, including ways to encourage moms to support father involvement.
Brian Russell, Provincial Coordinator, Father Involvement Initiative Ontario
Brian focuses on building the capacity of fathers to be engaged with their children and to help programs and agencies working with families to engage fathers. |
Durham |
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B6 |
Using Life Coaching Skills to Ignite your Team and Workplace
Participants will learn how life coaching skills can take you and your team past traditional comfort zones into realms you have hungered for in the past. Join this interactive process and experience how coaching can help you and your team achieve greater success and fulfillment at work and at home.
Susan T. Howson, President of Magnificent Creations Limitee, Professor, Ryerson University
Finalist – Canadian Coach of the Year, Winner – ICF PRISM Award for kids coaching connection, Globe and mail – Mentor Minute Coach, Sonic Reiki master and Practitioner, “ Increasing the self esteem of 50 million kids in 5 years” |
Leaside |
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B7 |
Walking the Labyrinth: Take a ‘walk’ you will not soon forget!
Have you heard about Labyrinths? Are you wondering what they are? What they do? How to use one? Why they are so popular? Here is your chance to walk one, and find out for yourself what they are all about. Labyrinths are currently being used world-wide as a way to quiet the mind, get clarity on a question or decision, and encourage meditation, insight, self-reflection, and stress reduction. Groups of people are using the labyrinth for healing, community building, and celebration. Schools and childcare centres are using labyrinths with children to help them balance their energy, focus, and reduce behaviour problems.
Paige Stirling Fox, Early Years Early Literacy Specialist, Ontario Early Years, York Region
Paige Stirling Fox is an Early Literacy Specialist for the Ontario Early Years, York Region. She brings a rich background as a professional life coach and adult educator to this role. Paige has facilitated numerous workshops and retreat programs for personal and spiritual growth. Paige is passionate about supporting parents, caregivers and professionals working with young children. She is the mother of two boys, ages 6 and 3. |
Canadiana |
| 4:15 pm - 6:15 pm |
Who's Your Daddy Café |
TW's Bar and Grill |
| 7 pm - 11 pm |
Gala: Let the Wild Rumpus Begin download the flyer
(title borrowed from Where the Wild Things Are) |
Toronto BC |
| Friday, November 19, 2010 |
| 8 am - 9 am |
Registration and Continental breakfast |
Foyer |
| 9 am - 10 am |
Keynote
Dialogue and Conversations that have Created Strong & Healthy Communities
Building community is about building relationships in which we share and contribute our individual gifts and talents to collectively create programs, services, resources and organizations that support children, youth, families and communities. We learn from our experiences, gaining knowledge and wisdom from efforts that worked and were successful and those that weren’t, along with insights and appreciation about what we could have done differently. Sharron will share stories about her 36 years facilitating community development initiatives, in both urban and rural communities, to highlight what can be accomplished when people come together for a common cause. The presentation promises to be interesting, humorous, insightful and informative.
Sharron Richards: Director (retired), Community Development and Prevention Services, Children’s Aid Society of Toronto
After a 40 year career in child welfare, Sharron recently retired as the Director of Community Development & Prevention Services for the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto. Her career involved facilitating community building processes in both urban and rural communities. In partnership with community residents and other service providers, some examples her work include the development of: family resource programs; child care centres ; a housing co-op; a youth shelter; women’s sexual assault services; multi-service centres; social planning councils; youth led initiatives; anti-oppression, anti-racism policies and organizational change processes including services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, transsexual, gender non-conforming, Two-Spirited, queer and questioning children and youth; networks and coalitions to address affordable housing, the impact of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, and group programs for children, youth, parents and caregivers affected by war, political oppression and the pre and post migration experience. Sharron is the recipient of the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies’ year 2000 Outstanding Leadership Award. |
Toronto BC |
| 10:30 am - 12:30 noon |
Workshop Block C |
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C1 |
Supporting Development Through Sensory Integration
Sensory processing; how it supports development and what can happen to development and function when a child has a sensory processing dysfunction.
Paula Aquilla, Director, Aquilla OT Services
Paula graduated from U of Toronto as an OT in 1986. She is the founder of Yes I Can Nursery School. She is also an author and thesis writer in the Canadian College of osteopathy. She is currently the director of Aquilla OT Services in Toronto. |
York |
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C2 |
Using Family Centered Practices to Support Children with Special Needs
This presentation will explore family centered practices when supporting children with special needs. In quality inclusive programs where all children belong; staff need to focus on the necessity of building supportive partnerships, creating responsive environments, and engaging in ongoing communication. This can be a complex process and this presentation will take into account the particular requirements of families with children with special needs and will offer professional development for those interested in embracing a family centered approach.
Dorothy Tymon, Faculty and Coordinator of Community Initiatives, Mothercraft College
Dorothy's research focus is inclusive practices within early childhood educational and community contexts. She has many years of experience teaching adult learners in both university and college settings.
Devon Physick, Faculty and CITYKIDS Service Navigator, Team Leader, Mothercraft College
Devon has worked front line within an Ontario Early Years Centre supporting families through the early intervention and early identification processes. Within the CITYKIDS Program she continues to aid families and support partner organizations. |
Durham |
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C3 |
Outcomes for Families of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Involved in Early Intervention
Participants in this session will: develop an understanding of how to measure family outcomes, familiarize themselves with a new web based tool to measure family outcomes called the Autism Spectrum Disorder Family Outcomes Questionnaire, learn about the research on family outcomes as it relates to autism intervention in this specific study and develop an understanding of the challenges inherent in doing this type of work. In addition, attendees will be invited to participate in an ongoing research study on family outcomes and early intervention for those raising a child on the autism spectrum. Practitioners will hear about the parent perspective in early intervention and what families are looking for in a quality program. They will also be exposed to concepts such as family resiliency and discover ways to empower the families they are currently servicing. The session will also provide practitioners with important baseline data for future comparison with other groups of families. The ASDFOQ to be presented is a useful tool and others can begin to norm it by using it with larger samples. In addition the ASDFOQ can be used for program evaluation and as a family satisfaction measure in a variety of early intervention settings. Lastly, this session will be useful for families looking to choose an intervention model that demonstrates positive family (as well as child) outcomes.
Dr. Sonia Mastrangelo, Department of Education, Lakehead University
Dr. Sonia Mastrangelo is an assistant professor in the department of education at Lakehead University in Orillia, Ontario, Canada. As a former special educator for the Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board, she spent seven years working in a contained class for students with autism spectrum disorder using the Miller Method intervention program. She then worked as a special educator in mainstream spectrum disorders at the university level. She is currently involved in family and child outcomes intervention research in autism population and has published extensively on the importance of play. She teaches courses on Educational Psychology and Teaching Exceptional Learners in the consecutive program at Lakehead University, Orillia Campus. |
Rouge Hill |
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C4 |
Tell Me Your Social Story: Engaging and Supporting Exceptional Families
Children who develop along atypical trajectories are often said to have 'special needs'. But in reality, it is not just the child who has special needs: It is the whole family. Parenting a child with developmental differences or exceptionalities requires a skill set that many parents can't fathom...until they find themselves swimming in a sea of OT, PT, ABA, IBI, GFCF, and a slew of other acronyms! This dynamic new world of special needs parenting can create a host of challenges and barriers to engagement for these families - both internally and externally - and requires a transformation in the stories we tell ourselves, and different support strategies within the community context.
Tell Me Your Social Story playfully blends one parent's perspective with an interactive exploration of participant's personal narratives about families with special needs, and an examination of how family support practitioners can help facilitate parental engagement and social inclusion.
Amy Spurway, Writer, Consultant with PONO Consultants International, Founder of The Wallflower Network
Amy Spurway is an enigma wrapped in a mystery, covered in a sweet, colourful candy coating. She is also a writer, editor, PONO consultant, and mother of three exceptional children. |
Markham/
Pickering |
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C5 |
Interdisciplinary Practice: The research behind working together to support children and families
This interdisciplinary workshop provides a forum to explore and understand the exciting possibilities of interdisciplinary education and service provision. Many different community organizations, places of worship, service providers, residents, and large institutions must work together to enhance child and family services. Therefore, professionals must collaborate effectively in order to support existing community strengths and identify resources and gaps in service. This workshop provides participants with multiple lenses through which to view child and family services.
Cindy Valenti, Instructor, Seneca College and Ryerson University
Cindy Valenti has been working in the field of children and families for the past 20 years. For the last seven years, she has been teaching at both Seneca and Ryerson University. Currently Cindy is on the board of directors of the Family Supports Institute of Ontario. |
Ajax/Whitby |
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C6 |
Family Literacy: Partnerships that Get the Whole Family Involved
Promoting family literacy in the diverse area in and around Toronto means engaging the whole family in ways and locations in which they all feel comfortable. Our team will present on how we partnered with community members, faith groups, and professionals, and various agencies to create and deliver a program that address the needs of newcomers in caring for and important teachers of young children.
Edward Bader, Manager, Research and Developmment, Social Services Network;
When Edward Bader retired from teaching family physicians at the University of Toronto, he wanted to continue teaching adults about family dynamic. Because most family agencies’ programs focused on mothers, he created Focused on Fathers in 1999, and is now developing and evaluation programs for multicultural parents and grandparents.
Terry Kelly, Early Literacy Specialist, Ontario Early Years York Region
Terry has been in the field of ECE for 28 years. She is currently an Early Literacy Specialist with Ontario Early Years. She teaches ECE part time at Seneca College, and is also a certified yoga instructor. She is passionate about promoting literacy. She is also a mother of two.
Shahla Yaghoubian, Family Resource Worker, Macaulay Child Development Centre;
Shahla was a social worker/family mediator in Tehran. Since immigrating to Canada in 2002, Shahla has earned her Diploma in Early Childhood Education and her B.S.W. at York University. She is currently a Family Resource Program Worker. Shahla is also very involved in family support through various projects.
Mark Intihar, RECE, currently pursuing a Bachelor of Child Development |
Leaside |
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C7 |
Shape Your Life through Boxing
Learn the herstory of the Toronto Newsgirls Boxing club and “Shape Your life”. Our program provides women and trans survivors of violence with an opportunity to participate in a recreational boxing program. Physical exercise, reducing social isolation, exploring healthy aggression and expressing anger in a safe place can help survivors heal from violence and regain control over their lives. Shape Your Life aims to empower you by building self esteem and community through the sport of boxing.
Savoy Howe, Head Coach and owner of the Toronto Newsgirls Boxing Club, Canada’s only all-female and Trans-positive boxing club.
and
Sonia Parris, Child and Youth Worker
Sonnja is a Shape Your Life grad and has been working as a child and youth worker for 6 years.
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Canadiana |
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C8 |
Story Catcher: Reconnecting with the Power of Personal Stories
Participants will experience how the power and practice of personal storytelling and “story catching” deepens our connections with each other, our work and ourselves. Learn how the tradition of sharing stories in a community circle can be adapted for use within our own families, organizations and our work with children and families.
Paige Stirling Fox, Early Years Early Literacy Specialist, Ontario Early Years, York Region
Paige Stirling Fox is an Early Literacy Specialist for the Ontario Early Years, York Region. She brings a rich background as a professional life coach and adult educator to this role. Paige has facilitated numerous workshops and retreat programs for personal and spiritual growth. Paige is passionate about supporting parents, caregivers and professionals working with young children. She is the mother of two boys, ages 6 and 3. |
Port Union |
| 12:30 - 2 pm |
Lunch and Exhibits |
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| 2 pm - 4 pm |
Workshop Block D |
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D1 |
Emergent Curriculum in Family Resource Programs
The Emergent curriculum invites children and adults to interact, explore and play with interesting materials. You will discover how observations, examples of children’s work and transcripts of children’s dialogue will guide the curriculum. This respectful, responsive and meaningful environment will deepen and enhance the quality of play. Parents will recognize their child’s uniqueness and interests and capture the children’s thinking and making it visible through documentation. Let’s begin our journey together as professionals working with families and children.
Lauren Brydges, Coordinator, Ontario Early Years, Hamilton,
Professor in Early Childhood Education, Mohawk College,
Special Needs worker for Hamilton Health Science
Lauren has been an Early Childhood Educator for the past 25 years holding a variety of positions within the community. Currently, Leader Coordinator for the Ontario Early years programs- Hamilton Mountain, ECE professor for Mohawk College and Special Needs worker for Hamilton Health Science. Lauren devotes her passion to the children and families as a volunteer for Children’s Aid Society. Lauren has also held a number of positions both locally and provincially for the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Ontario. She is particularly interested in educating the general public, politicians, Early Childhood Educators and families on the importance of children’s early development, respectful parenting and the profession role of Early Childhood Educator. |
Rouge Hill |
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D2 |
Rediscovering Creativity within Yourself and in Your Teaching: The creative teacher/the creative classroom
Creativity is regarded as the solution to the problems of the twenty-first century. Without developing creative attitudes and skills, educators and children risk hindering their creative aptitudes and limiting the number of way there is to learn and respond to the world. This workshop will explore how creativity may be used as springboard to engage Early Childhood Educator’s and teachers in a dialogue regarding full day kindergarten curriculum and programming logistics. Literature and research indicate that before educators can recognize and support creativity in others they must initially identify creativity within themselves. Once ECE’s and teachers begin to discuss and recognize their own creative skills, they may begin to apply them throughout their teaching and practice.
Patricia Gora, Artist, Ontario Art Gallery and Instructor at Ryerson University
Patricia Gora is an ECE and artist and works as an instructor at Ryerson University, the Art Gallery of Ontario, and provides consultation services to community agencies, childcare centres and schools in the form of workshops and as in-house art specialist. |
Markham/
Pickering |
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D3 |
Family Support as an Essential Component of Early Learning Programs
This workshop will explore the strengths and limitations of school-based early learning and care programs for pre-K and kindergarten-aged children. Historical evidence for early learning programs with strong family support components will be presented. The developmental importance of the years before school will be highlighted. Participants will be invited to share ideas about ways that community-based programs can effectively support families during this sensitive period in their children’s lives, as well as after their children start school.
Janice MacAulay, Executive Director, Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs (FRP Canada)
Janice MacAulay is currently the Executive Director at the Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs (FRP Canada). Before working at the national association, she was the Parent Education coordinator at the Parent Resource Centre in Ottawa. She is the author of Tensions & Possibilities: Forging Better Links Between Family Resource Programs and Child Welfare (2002) and numerous articles. Professional interests include parenting education, community collaboration, evaluation of community programs and supporting vulnerable families. Janice and her husband James are parents of four children and grandparents of three. |
Ajax/Whitby |
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D4 |
Parent Partnerships & ELECT: Bridging the Gap between Theory & Practice
In December 2006, the Best Start Panel on Early Learning produced the Early Learning for Every Child Today (ELECT) curriculum framework. Premised upon 6 fundamental principles, ELECT has been widely embraced by the early childhood community in Ontario as a tool for curriculum planning and implementation. While the field continues to address the potential that ELECT has for re-conceptualizing approaches to program delivery, the voices and experiences of those directly impacted by the implementation of ELECT – families and children themselves – remain noticeably absent. Consequently, this workshop will examine the principles of ELECT with a key focus on strategies for ensuring that meaningful parent engagement materializes as an increasing number of early childhood settings across Ontario adopt the ELECT curriculum framework. Emphasis will be placed on creating a collaborative vision for program delivery to meet the specific needs of the children and families served.
Ryan Campbell, Supervisor, Macaulay Child Development Centre
Ryan is currently a supervisor with Macaulay Child Development Centre and a part time instructor at Ryerson University; George Brown College & Humber College. Prior to his affiliation with Macaulay, Ryan was employed with the University of Toronto Early Learning Centre as the Preschool/Kindergarten Supervisor. In addition to Ryan’s frontline commitment to supporting children and families, he has also co-authored a resource for early childhood educators to support their work with queer families. |
Port Union |
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D5 |
Queering Story Time: Sharing our Stories about putting Theory into Practice
There is power at play to build or chip away at self-esteem when you see yourself represented or not represented in stories. How do we make sure that children in our programs see themselves in story time - whether they have LGBTQ parents, grandparents, family members, and friends, or have different sexual orientations or gender identities themselves?
Come learn about what we do during story time and why in our Queer Family Resource Programs at The 519, bring your favourite inclusive children's and family books for discussion, talk about the challenges of being inclusive of sexual orientation and gender variations in story time activities, bring your least inclusive book to see how we can re-read it.
Chris Veldhoven, Queer Parenting Program Coordinator, The 519 Church Street Community Centre
Chris Veldhoven is the Queer Parenting Programs Coordinator at The 519 Church Street Community Centre in Toronto. He provides family resource programs, courses and support for and about LGBTTQ-led families and children. |
York |
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D6 |
There is Nothing Wrong with My Child - Partnering with parents when concerns arise
Understanding Parent Partnership and why it is important. Participants will evaluate strategies that are currently being used to build partnerships, and the barriers they are being faced with when engaging parents. Practical ideas for engaging families when difficult discussions arise are shared and discovered.
Shawna Lee, Professor in Early Childhood Education, Seneca Collage
Shawna is a strong advocate for children’s mental health, she is able to integrate a unique perspective to child development in a variety of environments. She has proven leadership skills which continue to develop, strengthen and empower the collaboration between families, schools child care programs and community partners. |
Durham |
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D7 |
Multicultural Stories
Canada is described as a multicultural nation. Cultural diversity exists in every community. Researches has shown that a child as young as 3 years of age can absorb cultural values. In this unique workshop participants will learn about the importance of including multiculturalism in early learning settings. Workshop will also provide numerous ideas and techniques to set up multicultural environment and what kind of multicultural materials can be included in Early Learning centres. This will help Early Learning educators to integrate cultural diversity concepts in every day programming. The interesting part of this workshop is learning about many cultural festivals. Artifacts from different cultures will be available to view.
Zarqa Chishti, Lead Childminder, Settlement Assistance and Family Support Services, Registered Interpreter with MCIS( Multilingual Community Interpreter Services). Zarqa is an ECE graduate from Seneca College and has been working with children for the last 12 years. She is currently working as a Lead childminder with the SAFSS for the last 7 years. She has supervised ECE students for their practicum and is a Registered Interpreter with the MCIS.
Nasreen Ahmad, Childminder, Settlement Assistance and Family Support Services
Neena Sahni, Early Learning Facilitator, YMCA Childcare, LINC Morningside Centre, Settlement Assistance and Family Support Services. Neena is a registered member of Ontario College of Teachers.
This team is working at the LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) program in the multicultual environment for more than ten years and have extensive experience working with new immigrant families from different cultural backgrounds. |
Leaside |
Saturday, November 20, 2010 NATIONAL CHILD DAY
Exemplary Parent Engagement -- Lets Talk |
| 8:30 am - 9 am |
Registration and continental breakfast |
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| 9 am - 12 noon |
Keynote and interactive discussion
Standing Together: Forming Strong Links in a Care Chain
In this session, Debbie will share knowledge, insights and experiences gained from her research on parent engagement and parent knowledge and gained from her experiences working in early learning settings. She will speak about what parent engagement is, about the beliefs and assumptions which underlie it, and about the trust and relationships and the welcoming and hospitality that it takes to make it happen. Debbie will share
concrete examples and stories of successful practices which link parents and family support practitioners and early childhood educators in meaningful ways in young children’s learning and care. At the end of her
presentation, participants will be invited to interact with Debbie and with one another in a question and answer session.
Interactive Dialogue with Debbie Pushor, Associate Professor in the Department of Curriculum Studies in the College of Education, University of Saskatchewan
Debbie’s career began in Edmonton Public Schools in Alberta where she worked as a teacher, a consultant, and central services administrator. However, it is her experiences as a parent of school-aged children that led her to pursue her PhD and prompted the focus of her doctoral work, A Storied Photo Album of Parents’ Positioning and the Landscape of Schools. Debbie graduated from the University of Alberta in 2001 with a PhD in elementary education. She assumed an academic position at St. Francis Xavier
University in Nova Scotia from 2001 to 2004, teaching in the BEd program and the MEd program in educational leadership. She joined the University of Saskatchewan in 2004.
Debbie is a leading expert in the area of Parent Engagement. She has completed a
major research project funded by the Dr. Stirling McDowell Foundation for Research into Teaching, which explored, with a team of co-researchers at Princess Alexandra Community School in Saskatoon, how schools can move from practices of parent involvement to practices of parent engagement and leadership. She is also engaged in research funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada in which she is exploring what parent knowledge is and how it is held and used.
Debbie and her partner, Laurie have three children and a dog named, Lily. |
Toronto BC |
| Noon - 1:30 pm |
Lunch |
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| 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm |
Workshop Block E |
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E1 |
Effective Leadership in Uncertain Times: How to build a strong movement
Effective leadership in uncertain times: How you can be help build a strong movement. There is much uncertainty on policy changes that affect our organizations and programs in early learning and child care. Our sector needs active and informed advocates who can help shape the debate, and organize in our communities and programs. Learn how you can use your leadership skills to make a difference with your co-workers, friends, family and community to ensure the early learnging and child care sector remains strong and stable so we can help children and families in our communities
Andrea Calver, Co-ordinator, Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care |
Durham |
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E2 |
Parent Partnerships & ELECT (Early Learning for Every Child Today): Bridging the Gap between Theory & Practice (See D4)
Ryan Campbell, Supervisor, Macaulay Child Development Centre |
York |
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E3 |
Early Childhood Educators as Agents of Change
With the beginning of Full Day Learning in Ontario, the opportunity exists for Early Childhood Educators to lead by example and be agents of change in creating more parent friendly schools. Inspired by Debbie Pushor’s talk, let’s further explore practical ideas to build bridges with parents and create more parent friendly schools.
Valerie Kenny and Parenting and Family Literacy Team, Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board
Valerie has over 20 years experience working in the field of Family Support. Presently she is overseeing the Parenting and Family Literacy Centres for Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board and has been involved in the implementation of FDL-K at Dufferin Peel. Valerie has an MA in Early Childhood Studies and has a special interest in “Parent Engagement”. She currently teaches in the Family Support Certificate Program at Ryerson University. |
Ajax/Whitby |
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E4 |
Rediscovering Creativity within yourself and in your teaching: The Creative Teacher/The Creative Classroom (see D2 above)
Patricia Gora, Artist, Ontario Art Gallery and Instructor at Ryerson University |
Markham/
Pickering |
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E5 |
The Power of Parents as Agents of Change (see A5)
Ruth Sischy, Manager and Policy Advisor, Parent and Family Literacy Centres, Toronto District School Board and Kim Fritz, Parent Worker, Toronto District School Board
|
Canadiana |
| 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm |
Celebrate National Child Day and Wrap-up |
Toronto BC |
For more information contact: conference2010@fsio.ca |
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