ChildCare Inspirations

We decided to do something nice and light this time for you. Shirley, Robin and I talk about our best dollar store finds and the not so best. Who would have thought we would have a 30 minutes discussion on things we buy at the dollar store!? We do talk about what we use these materials for too. So get ready to break open the piggy bank and head to a dollar store near you!

Join Diane Kashin and I as we discuss the value and meaning of building professional friendships as early childhood educators. I met my bet friend through this amazing profession! Listen in on our stories and Diane's passion about professional friendships. Let's connect!

It has been a very difficult couple years for many early childhood educators. We understand the struggle that we are all facing right now in our profession. So, it's time to inspire and let you know that YOU ARE SEEN! Here to help us spread that inspiration is the wonderful Dr. Jody Carrington! Even other professionals value the work we do! Let's reconnect and help each other feel seen!

Technology is here to stay my friends. Whether we like it or not...children use technology on a daily basis. So, how can we be intentional in our early childhood practices when we bring in technology as a way to connect and help children explore and express their curiosity? Join Robin, Veronica and I as we share some different perspectives about technology with young children and how we can integr...

The early childhood field is filled with educators from a variety of educational backgrounds and experiences.  What's more important? Is there more value in education or experience? What can education bring to your professional practices? Do we, as a profession, have a foundation of knowledge to enhance our reflective and professional practices to provide optimal care to the children and fami...

We're back! And we're kicking of 2023 with a topic that Shirley, Robin and I all love...storytelling! Books, books and more books! Join us as we discuss our favourite early learning books, our favourite strategies to get children engaged and excited about reading and just some plain old fun conversations about early literacy! What's your favourite children's book? What secret s...

The terms we use to place value and professionalism in the early learning and child care sector are important! From terms like 'kids vs. children', or 'academy/daycare to child care'. Join Robin and I as we chat about how our language use has changed both personally and globally in the early childhood sector, and how it values what we do as early childhood educators!

Literacy isn't limited to just the early childhood environment. Families have a huge parent in literacy!! Join me and Kim Chung, from Centre for Family Literacy and Elizabeth Robinson, from ABC Life Literacy Canada,  as we chat about the importance of early literacy - with families! It takes a community of support to raise children - let's do this together!

Do you remember the moment you decided "This is the career for me?" The moments that made you tear up in joy from the positive and memorable impact you have on children and their families? We do! Listen in with Shirley, Robin and I, as we share our stories of inspiration and reflect on what being an early childhood educator is all about! Let's connect, share...cry and laugh...as we...

Time to take out our reflection journals as we discuss the anti-biased approach. Join Shirly, Robin and myself as we share our journeys and practices with you to help inspire you to embrace an inclusive and anti-biased approach in caring for our little ones. Here are the links we mention in our discussion!  Reflecting on Anti-bias Education in Action: The Early Years: A Film by Debbie LeeKeenan, J...

It's a battle that is still going strong...the struggle between themes and topics of interests. Teacher-led vs. child-led. Join our discussion of our journeys with both and where we find ourselves currently. Shirley, Robin and I chat about our personal experiences with both theme and interest-based, and come up with some great ideas on helping you to make that journey yourself! From themes to...

Care is Education. Carol inspires us with her perspective and insights about the importance of care in early childhood. Embracing the theory of care and identifying the seven lamps of care into our practices as early childhood educators. Join us for a caring connection with Carol!

As childcare programs, day homes and educators begin to return to in-person team meetings and events, it's important that we focus on our educators and building strong teams. Karen shares with us her expertise and experience of what we can do to build stronger teams that help staff feel valued and a sense of belonging. Focusing on our team of educators is critical in providing high quality ca...

This VFF episode takes a look at how we can create responsive environments in our early learning environments...with some side thoughts and story sharing of course!

Sherry Duncan joins me for a meaningful and rich conversation about how early childhood educators can star their own path to truth and reconciliation through increasing their awareness,  knowledge and practices of the First Nations and Indigenous peoples and cultures. She shares her stories and perspective of different ways to start, and enhance, your journey to learn more about the children and f...

The Alberta Curriculum Framework is a hot topic in Alberta early learning sector right now as more and more educators and programs embrace this approach to children's play and learning. Coming together to support each other is critical in this journey, so here we are....4 early childhood educators, sharing our stories and journeys of Flight with you! 

Two passionate play advocate talking about their favourite topic...play! Join us as we share our stories, strategies and opinions about play and why we encourage others to advocate for children's right to play! I have found my kindred spirit with Sally!!

Using Diane Kashin's article on "The Broken Circle: Rethinking the Practice of Circles in Early Learning,"  four early childhood educators from Alberta discuss our experience and perspectives of circle time. Article link: https://tecribresearch.wordpress.com/2019/05/24/the-broken-circle-rethinking-the-practice-of-circles-in-early-learning/

Join Veronica Green and I for a great discussion on how loose parts play connects to children's behaviour and sensory processing. Loose parts are more than just the material itself but a wholistic approach to play! 

Our July session of Voices from the Field started out as a discussion about inclusive care for children...and ended up as inclusive practices discussion about inclusion with our fellow educators and the adults we work with! Join us for this rich conversation about inclusion...in all it's forms!

Cody and I chat about the importance of professional development and finding your own learning path as early childhood educators. 

Join myself, Danielle, Dallas and Shannon as we share our stories and strategies of how to help children through those big emotions that adults tend to find difficult and challenging. 

Ruth Buffam joins me for this inspiring chat about Positive Discipline and how she finds it helps with understanding and supporting children with challenging behaviours. It's not about punishments  or what we do to children but about connections, solutions and supportive environments. Join us as we laugh and learn in this episode on behaviours.

Play during this pandemic has been a struggle for many programs and educators as we try to balance the importance of play with the importance of keeping everyone healthy during these difficult times. Listen in as we chat with three educators from across Alberta on how they have found their balance between cleaning, safety and play in their programs.

Welcome to our very first podcast episode on 'Voices from the Field'. Each month a group of local (from Alberta, Canada) early childhood educators share their thoughts, perspectives and ideas about a specific topic. Our first 'Voices from the Field' episode is all about PLAY!!!