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ChildCare Inspirations
Join us for discussions, interviews, voices form the field, and topics that focus on YOU - the early childhood educator! Let's chat about best practices, hot topics in child care, topics that make us laugh and others that make us want to shout out - WE ARE NOT BABYSITTERS! We also discuss the reality of the obstacles and challenges we face in childcare when we talk about local policies and practices (in Alberta and Canada). Wherever our chats take us, these conversations help us build connections and enhance our teaching practices as ECEs! Feel the passion. Listen to the debates. Join the laughter as we bring to light what's happening in childcare globally and what's happening in childcare in Canada.
Episodes
38 episodes
Dollar Store Favorites
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...
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29:39
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Professional Friendships
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 ...
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49:46
Feeling Seen with Dr. Jody Carrington
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 tha...
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39:16
Reflecting on Technology in Child Care
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 explor...
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47:06
Value of Education to an Early Childhood Educator
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? ...
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39:18
Passion of Storytelling
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 ex...
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46:59
Our Words Matter: Professional Language in Child Care
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 c...
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30:30
Let's Talk Families and Literacy!
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 i...
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25:59
Reflections of Inspirational Moments as Educators
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...
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33:29
Reflecting on Celebrations with an Anti-Biased Approach
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 ou...
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39:38
Themes vs. Topics of Interests
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 ...
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30:42
Illuminating Care
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 u...
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36:26
Team Building in Early Childhood
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 t...
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32:26
VFF: Responsive Environments
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!
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48:05
Integrating Indigenous Cultures in Early Child Care Programs
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 Ind...
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1:02:38
VVF: Real Stories of the Alberta Flight Curriculum Framework
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 ...
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29:44
Passionate about Play with Sally Haughey
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 wi...
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51:23
Voices From the Field (VFF): Redefining Circle Time!
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:
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36:57
Loose Parts Play and Sensory Processing
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!
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37:34
Voices From the Field (VFF): Inclusion - For children and Adults
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 ric...
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33:03
Professional Development for ECEs
Cody and I chat about the importance of professional development and finding your own learning path as early childhood educators.
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49:59
Voices From the Field (VFF) - Managing Big Emotions
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.
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36:13
Positive Discipline
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 conne...
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40:29
Voices From the Field (VFF) - Play During Covid
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 fr...
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39:20