Chatham-Kent Heartwork is pleased to offer free learning opportunities for early years professionals who work with and support the children and families in Chatham-Kent.
All Chatham-Kent Heartwork workshops are FREE and are intended for all professionals working with children in Chatham-Kent early years settings.
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Stepping Side By Side
A Professional Learning Pathway for Early Childhood Educators
Stepping Side By Side Login
In Chatham-Kent, we know that Early Years professionals pride themselves on staying current with information on early childhood development. They strive to provide quality programming while holding the four foundations of HDLH at the core of their work with children and families.
Stepping Side By Side Chatham-Kent is a professional learning and mentoring opportunity. This initiative was created to be used individually as well as in group settings to support reflection, collaboration and growth within the role of early childhood education. It is a modulated program intended for those:
- stepping into the field of early childhood education
- currently working in the field
- rising leaders and leaders
Stepping Side by Side was created by ASCY for Early Learning Professionals to dig deeper into topics related to their scope of practice. Chatham-Kent is excited to partner with this initiative to support the mentorship and Professional Learning needs of our community.
Upcoming Events
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Playful Planning: Exploring the Planning Process with the Emergent Curriculum Approach: Part 2 (presented by Tina Geers)
Playful learning experiences promote a sense of curiosity, exploration, and confidence, which are what we all strive to achieve when we plan for our early childhood environment and our children's experiences. One of the most popular and best approaches to achieve this is the emergent curriculum approach. This approach lets the child lead the playful experiences and follow their own learning path. Our job, as early childhood educators, is to observe their interests and plan to either complement or extend these interests. Being intentional about how we prepare a responsive environment is a key element to emergent planning. Join Tina as we discuss planning strategies that work for everyone. There is no 'one size fits all' when it comes to planning for children's play, so let's explore what your journey is with the children and how you can plan for play!
Tina Geers is the owner of Inspired Minds ECC and the president of a nonprofit play advocacy group, Alberta Early Childhood Play Connection Network (AECPCN), a member of the World Forum Working Group on Play, and a member of the International Play Association and CCCF. Join her as we discover the passion of Play!
*Registration Required
Location: Virtual
- Wednesday, April 23, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
*This workshop is intended for Home Child Care Providers only.
Environments that Provoke Wonder, Joy and Awe Part 2 (presented by Discovery Professional Learning)
In our concluding session, we'll dive into practical strategies for designing and adapting environments that meet diverse needs and are accessible within various budgets. Through interactive discussions and hands-on activities, participants will refine their understanding of how to engage all children and optimize learning spaces to be inclusive and supportive.
Karen Eilersen (RECE, Forest School Practitioner) is the founder and Director of Discovery Child Care Centre, one of Ontario's first licensed child care centres certified as a Forest and Nature School since its inception in 1998.
Jessica Holder (RECE, BSc, Forest School Practitioner) has been a dedicated leader in Early Childhood Education for over a decade. As the Pedagogical Leader at Discovery Child Care Centre, she collaborates with educators to reflect, grow, and co-construct meaningful programs with children and families.
*Registration Required
Location: Chatham Cultural Centre Studio One (75 William St. N., Chatham)
- Thursday, April 24, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Circle of Security: Tier 1 Series (presented by Linck)
This professional learning series introduces some practical applications to enhance teachers' abilities to form secure relationships with the children in their care. Gain insight into new ways to understand challenging behaviours. Learn relationship-based strategies to respond to children's social emotional needs for safe, secure relationships in the classroom, a necessary ingredient for learning.
*Registration Required
Location: Linck Boardroom (495 Grand Ave. W., Chatham)
- Tuesday April 22, 29, May 6, 13, 20, 27, June 3, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Reflections of Playful Learning: Making Children's Learning Visible with the Emergent Curriculum Approach: Part 2 (presented by Tina Geers)
After a full day of play, everyone is exhausted! Oh, but what fun we had! What learning transpired! It was a success! Before we forget of all the adventures and discoveries, it's time to reflect. Reflection is a main factor when enriching your emergent curriculum approach. Reflection has many facets, and looks different for each educator and each group of children. In this session, we will look at the many different ways to reflect on playful learning; on-the-spot, daily, weekly and monthly reflections that use a variety of forms of reflection and documentation. Discover the steps that work for you with reflection! It's all about showcasing your personal reflections, team reflections and reflections with the children and their families that make this reflective process valuable. It's time to capture the moments of play and joy in early childhood!
Tina Geers is the owner of Inspired Minds ECC and the president of a nonprofit play advocacy group, Alberta Early Childhood Play Connection Network (AECPCN), a member of the World Forum Working Group on Play, and a member of the International Play Association and CCCF. Join her as we discover the passion of Play!
*Registration Required
Location: Virtual
- Wednesday, May 21, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
*This workshop is intended for Home Child Care Providers only
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