Welcome! We will start the day with a welcome video and a land acknowledgment from Eddy Robinson, followed by remarks from Sandy Palinski, Alex Sarchuk of Halton Region, and Becky Andrade of THRC. Attendees will also participate in a live poll to help us better understand your perspective on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the early years sector! Be sure not to miss a great start to our day!

We are kicking things off with some laughs and inspiration featuring comedian/author/speaker, Susan Stewart! With the humour is she is best known for, Susan will be sharing how changing your perspective (and re-writing the story you’re telling yourself) can help you be resilient in times of adversity or uncertainty.

In this session we will explore pedagogical documentation that begins from teachers' curiosity about what is observed in children's play, ideas, and strategies. Linked to How Does Learning Happen, we will engage in conversations and think together about the questions we might raise in order to co-construct inquiry with children.

Regular physical activity is important for healthy child development. The early childhood education setting is highly influential on young children's movement behaviors. Increased effort is warranted to integrate more movement into early learning settings, given movement behaviors track from early childhood to later childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. This session will cover the importance of physical activity promotion in early childhood education and how we can implement best practices to ensure sufficient integration of movement into childcare programming.

Early childhood educators’ professional growth journeys are sometimes isolating. This webinar will introduce the theory, application, and practice of critical friendships. It will invite participants to reflect on their own professional friendships and children's peer to peer relationships in a parallel process. What would be the impact of supportive professional friendship on practice? Participants should come ready to consider the possibilities and think about supporting and growing peer friendships.


Outcomes

* Learn about the theory and practice of communities of critical friendship.

* Learn about the possibilities of critical friendships.

* Learn about the possibilities of communities of practice that support voice and empowerment.

This workshop will explore child‐directed play and why it is a fundamental necessity for the healthy development of children. We will look at certain elements of How Does Learning Happen? Topics discussed will include child‐directed play, learning through play, loose parts, the adult’s role in making the learning visible. There will be a short play portion where participants can play with materials they have gathered. Participants will also be encouraged to share their successes and challenges.

Example of materials for the workshop:
Pencils, rubber bands, a small cardboard box (e.g. shoe box), scissors, construction paper, paper clips, rolls of toilet paper or paper towel, tennis ball, glue, clothes pin wooden sticks, tape (like duct tape), inflatable balloons, colored pencils/markers, craft/construction materials or what you can find around the house.

Le jeu : une nécessité fondamental (10h15 – 11h45)

Cet atelier est une exploration du jeu amorcé par l’enfant et comment le jeu libre est une nécessité fondamentale pour le développement sain de l’enfant. Certains éléments du document Comment apprend-on? seront ciblé. Nous aborderons plusieurs sujets tel que : le jeu amorcé par l’enfant, les pièces détachées, l’enfant qui découvre sa voix, le rôle de l’adulte à rendre l’apprentissage visible. Il y aura une petite période de jeu libre pendant la présentation où les participant.e.s auront la chance de jouer et créer avec des pièces détachées (voir la liste ci-dessous). Les participant.e.s seront encouragées à partager leurs défis ainsi que leurs succès.

Exemple de matériel pour l’atelier :
Crayons a mine, des élastiques, une petite boîte en carton (ex. boîte à soulier), des ciseaux, papier construction, des trombones, rouleaux de papier hygiénique ou d’essuie-tout, balle de tennis, la colle, épingle à linge en bois, du ruban adhésif (genres « duct tape »), ballons gonflables, crayons/marqueurs de couleur, matériel de bricolage/construction ou ce que vous pouvez trouvez autour de la maison.

This workshop will explore child‐directed play and why it is a fundamental necessity for the healthy development of children. We will look at certain elements of How Does Learning Happen? Topics discussed will include child‐directed play, learning through play, loose parts, the adult’s role in making the learning visible. There will be a short play portion where participants can play with materials they have gathered. Participants will also be encouraged to share their successes and challenges.

Example of materials for the workshop:
Pencils, rubber bands, a small cardboard box (e.g. shoe box), scissors, construction paper, paper clips, rolls of toilet paper or paper towel, tennis ball, glue, clothes pin wooden sticks, tape (like duct tape), inflatable balloons, colored pencils/markers, craft/construction materials or what you can find around the house.

Le jeu : une nécessité fondamental (10h15 – 11h45)

Cet atelier est une exploration du jeu amorcé par l’enfant et comment le jeu libre est une nécessité fondamentale pour le développement sain de l’enfant. Certains éléments du document Comment apprend-on? seront ciblé. Nous aborderons plusieurs sujets tel que : le jeu amorcé par l’enfant, les pièces détachées, l’enfant qui découvre sa voix, le rôle de l’adulte à rendre l’apprentissage visible. Il y aura une petite période de jeu libre pendant la présentation où les participant.e.s auront la chance de jouer et créer avec des pièces détachées (voir la liste ci-dessous). Les participant.e.s seront encouragées à partager leurs défis ainsi que leurs succès.

Exemple de matériel pour l’atelier :
Crayons a mine, des élastiques, une petite boîte en carton (ex. boîte à soulier), des ciseaux, papier construction, des trombones, rouleaux de papier hygiénique ou d’essuie-tout, balle de tennis, la colle, épingle à linge en bois, du ruban adhésif (genres « duct tape »), ballons gonflables, crayons/marqueurs de couleur, matériel de bricolage/construction ou ce que vous pouvez trouvez autour de la maison.

In the current climate there is a need for your staff to relieve the plethora of stress in their lives. However, stress management starts with a shift in mindset to support your mental health.

Participants will:

* Demonstrate an understanding on how to create a wellness plan

* Examine how to manage stress and facilitate these strategies with your team

* Learn how to apply the WAVE skill in your workplace and in your everyday life

This session will NOT be recorded.

In the current climate there is a need for your staff to relieve the plethora of stress in their lives. However, stress management starts with a shift in mindset to support your mental health.

Participants will:

* Demonstrate an understanding on how to create a wellness plan

* Examine how to manage stress and facilitate these strategies with your team

* Learn how to apply the WAVE skill in your workplace and in your everyday life

This session will NOT be recorded.

Join Art Therapist Rapinder Kaur, as she takes you on an engaging, thought-provoking journey exploring how we can disrupt and reimagine ways of thinking and doing that inhibit the inherent power children are born with. Participants will leave with an understanding of liberation arts and will be offered tools on how they can think beyond diversity and inclusion by providing justice, dignity and belonging to the children their serve.

Join Art Therapist Rapinder Kaur, as she takes you on an engaging, thought-provoking journey exploring how we can disrupt and reimagine ways of thinking and doing that inhibit the inherent power children are born with. Participants will leave with an understanding of liberation arts and will be offered tools on how they can think beyond diversity and inclusion by providing justice, dignity and belonging to the children their serve.

Join Art Therapist Rapinder Kaur, as she takes you on an engaging, thought-provoking journey exploring how we can disrupt and reimagine ways of thinking and doing that inhibit the inherent power children are born with. Participants will leave with an understanding of liberation arts and will be offered tools on how they can think beyond diversity and inclusion by providing justice, dignity and belonging to the children their serve.

Building diverse, equitable, and inclusive early years and childcare facilities is your aspiration. However, subtle biases can result in excluding some of the children and families that you serve. By becoming more aware of your language, actions and thought patterns, you can increase inclusion and equity in your daily interactions with children.



• Recognize specific bias that impact children

• Understand how language and behaviours impact marginalized children

• Identify and remove inclusion blockers

Focused on interactions in your workplaces, this session will engage attendees in discussions of belonging and inclusion. Grounded in an evidence based understanding of equity, diversity, and power, we will explore our understanding of how various workplace practices affect marginalized and racialized members of our organizations.

Some of the themes we will address include:

(1) the importance of building inclusive environments to support full participation of all individuals;
(2) thinking about ways to create spaces of belonging in our day-to-day work and examining challenges to inclusivity in one-to-one exchanges;
(3) understanding the role of power dynamics and its interplay with belonging.

The Halton Early Years Mental Health Committee (EYMHC) is a cross-sector collaboration of service providers who work with infants/young children and their families. Research has shown that significant mental health issues can and do exist in very young children and tend to manifest as serious social, emotional or behavioural problems (Zeenah, 2009). This session will highlight the importance that you, as professionals in early childhood settings, play in promoting the mental health and well-being of all young children and their families. A child’s well-being and healthy brain development is contingent upon infants/young children having healthy relationships with their caregivers. Other important factors to consider include developing a sense of belonging and valuing and respecting an individual or family’s culture and beliefs. The session will also increase your awareness of the Halton Early Years Mental Health Toolkit itself; where to find it; highlight the many resources which can help promote professional development and explore further opportunities for embedding this content
into practice.

In this workshop, facilitators will explore recent studies, findings and initiatives related to race and racism in the field of early childhood. They will explore the intersectionality and complexity of Black mothering as a direct response to anti-Black racism and other forms of oppression. The workshop includes an interactive call to action for practitioners, administrators, educators and the like.

An Outlook on Resources for Professionals Working with Children



This session will present participants with a tour of OKN valuable resources on the wellbeing of children in the Halton Region. We will show you how to easily navigate and find specific information such as the percentage of developmentally vulnerable children in Halton, the rate of active parents seeking advice on their children, and much more. We will also share links to a huge library of Indigenous Resources and a special Indigenous section for professionals working with children.

An Outlook on Resources for Professionals Working with Children



This session will present participants with a tour of OKN valuable resources on the wellbeing of children in the Halton Region. We will show you how to easily navigate and find specific information such as the percentage of developmentally vulnerable children in Halton, the rate of active parents seeking advice on their children, and much more. We will also share links to a huge library of Indigenous Resources and a special Indigenous section for professionals working with children.

How do you celebrate culture? Why is inclusivity important when working with children and families? Please join Bianca Burns, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator from Oakville Parent-Child Centre who will share the journey in developing the Welcome Home Program. Bianca will walk through experiences and practices that reflect being culturally responsive to support newcomer families and their children from around the world!

How do you celebrate culture? Why is inclusivity important when working with children and families? Please join Bianca Burns, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator from Oakville Parent-Child Centre who will share the journey in developing the Welcome Home Program. Bianca will walk through experiences and practices that reflect being culturally responsive to support newcomer families and their children from around the world!

Meet the team behind Grandmothers Voice to learn more about them. Ask about their monthly virtual and in-person events and how to register to become part of their community of belonging, understanding and healing.

Meet the team behind Grandmothers Voice to learn more about them. Ask about their monthly virtual and in-person events and how to register to become part of their community of belonging, understanding and healing.

Meet the team behind Halton Black Voices, a new grassroots collective, intended to bring youth, families and individuals together. Their purpose is to create a safe space in the Halton region for all Black people including the 2SLGBTQQIA community, where we can establish new connections. We aim to build stronger communities by raising awareness, educating, and empowering Black community members of all ages.

JEREMY AND JAZZY is a new children’s animated television, music, and multi-platform brand that is now on CBC and CBC Gem. It is about how feelings become songs, songs become stories and how music and friendship create joy. The series brings to life a new collection of children’s music written by three-time JUNO-nominated singer-songwriter, Jeremy Fisher. The series stars Jeremy Fisher (Jeremy) and award-winning artist, Aiza Ntibrarikure (Jazzy). Join Cameile Henry and Anisha Jamal-Cadena the Diversity and Educational Consultants learn more about Jeremy and Jazzy Learn. Spend some time with us, watch a song and also provide constructive feedback.

The Halton Early Years Mental Health Committee (EYMHC) invites participants to join our virtual exhibit over lunch. The EYMHC will have resources promoting the Early Years Mental Health Toolkit and materials to support professional development and applying the toolkit into practice. We look forward to chatting with you!

Susan Hopkins, Executive Director, will introduce participants to Shanker Self-Reg® and explore how it can enhance early childhood education practice.
Susan will outline the basics of Self-Reg including:

What is Shanker Self-Reg®?
What is Stress?
What is Self-Regulation?
Connections between stress-energy and tension and what that means for understanding children’s behaviour
The Five Domains of self-regulation and stress
The 5 Practices of the Shanker Method®
What does Shanker Self-Reg® look like in practice?
Practical examples of how Self-Reg strategies can be used in early childhood settings including environmental, pedagogical, and in-the-moment strategies

Susan Hopkins, Executive Director, will introduce participants to Shanker Self-Reg® and explore how it can enhance early childhood education practice.
Susan will outline the basics of Self-Reg including:

What is Shanker Self-Reg®?
What is Stress?
What is Self-Regulation?
Connections between stress-energy and tension and what that means for understanding children’s behaviour
The Five Domains of self-regulation and stress
The 5 Practices of the Shanker Method®
What does Shanker Self-Reg® look like in practice?
Practical examples of how Self-Reg strategies can be used in early childhood settings including environmental, pedagogical, and in-the-moment strategies

CanChild has been developing and promoting the «F-words for Child Development» (Functioning, Fitness, Fun, Friends, Family, and Future). Evidence around the world shows the usefulness of this strengths-based approach to working with children and their families. Supported by MCCSS, we have developed online resources to introduce F-words concepts and tools. In this presentation, we will share these ideas and highlight how the F-words support inclusive approaches to infant/child development.
The presenters are researchers and clinicians from CanChild - a research centre dedicated to generating knowledge and transforming lives of children and youth with developmental conditions and their families.

CanChild has been developing and promoting the «F-words for Child Development» (Functioning, Fitness, Fun, Friends, Family, and Future). Evidence around the world shows the usefulness of this strengths-based approach to working with children and their families. Supported by MCCSS, we have developed online resources to introduce F-words concepts and tools. In this presentation, we will share these ideas and highlight how the F-words support inclusive approaches to infant/child development.
The presenters are researchers and clinicians from CanChild - a research centre dedicated to generating knowledge and transforming lives of children and youth with developmental conditions and their families.

In this workshop, participants will be introduced to the fundamentals of anti-racism in ECE through scenarios and discussions.

a)The importance of anti-racism when working with children and families
b) How to address situations that arise in the classroom and explore strategies
c) Resources for self-reflection and how to seek change beyond the classroom

This session will NOT be recorded.

In this workshop, participants will be introduced to the fundamentals of anti-racism in ECE through scenarios and discussions.

a)The importance of anti-racism when working with children and families
b) How to address situations that arise in the classroom and explore strategies
c) Resources for self-reflection and how to seek change beyond the classroom

This session will NOT be recorded.

Every child deserves to feel heard, welcomed and seen and this starts in our environments. Representation is everything for children. Although we can’t control every form of media they consume, we can control one thing — the books they read in our classrooms. Diversity in early childhood environments is needed more than ever in our field. This webinar goes beyond diversity in literature and will show you that promoting diversity in your classroom is more than just a book on the shelf. You will gain information on understanding diversity in a new way and learn how to promote true diversity in your classroom. Session Includes: - Self-reflective workbook - Extensive list of resources to build a more diverse classroom - Starter guide/audit checklist tool classroom

Every child deserves to feel heard, welcomed and seen and this starts in our environments. Representation is everything for children. Although we can’t control every form of media they consume, we can control one thing — the books they read in our classrooms. Diversity in early childhood environments is needed more than ever in our field. This webinar goes beyond diversity in literature and will show you that promoting diversity in your classroom is more than just a book on the shelf. You will gain information on understanding diversity in a new way and learn how to promote true diversity in your classroom. Session Includes: - Self-reflective workbook - Extensive list of resources to build a more diverse classroom - Starter guide/audit checklist tool classroom

Every child deserves to feel heard, welcomed and seen and this starts in our environments. Representation is everything for children. Although we can’t control every form of media they consume, we can control one thing — the books they read in our classrooms. Diversity in early childhood environments is needed more than ever in our field. This webinar goes beyond diversity in literature and will show you that promoting diversity in your classroom is more than just a book on the shelf. You will gain information on understanding diversity in a new way and learn how to promote true diversity in your classroom. Session Includes: - Self-reflective workbook - Extensive list of resources to build a more diverse classroom - Starter guide/audit checklist tool classroom

Understand the difference between compassion fatigue, burn out, and vicarioustrauma. In this workshop, participants learn practical strategies for self reflection, selfcare, and work through a personalized action plan to manage the effects of their owncompassion fatigue, while inspiring meaningful changes in their lives.

Understand the difference between compassion fatigue, burn out, and vicarioustrauma. In this workshop, participants learn practical strategies for self reflection, selfcare, and work through a personalized action plan to manage the effects of their owncompassion fatigue, while inspiring meaningful changes in their lives.

Understand the difference between compassion fatigue, burn out, and vicarioustrauma. In this workshop, participants learn practical strategies for self reflection, selfcare, and work through a personalized action plan to manage the effects of their owncompassion fatigue, while inspiring meaningful changes in their lives.

This workshop will cover different elements of How Does Learning Happen? Topics explored will include environment as third educator, co‐creating the learning environment, the exploration of risk, learning through inquiry, outdoor/nature play and risk/benefit analysis of the play space. Time permitting, we will also look at play during times of crisis and why it is important for children to always have opportunities to play freely, especially in challenging times. Participants will have the opportunity to share their
challenges and successes.

L’apprentissage : un cheminement de vie (13h15 – 14h45)

Cet atelier cible différent éléments dans le document Comment apprend-on? Il y aura une emphase sur le développement du sentiment d’appartenance chez l’enfant. Nous aborderons plusieurs sujets tel que : l’envirronnement comme 3e enseignant, la co-création du milieux d’apprentissage, l’exploration du risque, le jeu en nature et l’analyse de risque et de bénéfices ainsi que les compétence du 21e siècle. Si nous avons le temps, nous explorerons aussi le concept du jeu libre en temps de crise. Les participant.e.s seront encouragées à partager leurs défis ainsi que leurs succès.

This workshop will cover different elements of How Does Learning Happen? Topics explored will include environment as third educator, co‐creating the learning environment, the exploration of risk, learning through inquiry, outdoor/nature play and risk/benefit analysis of the play space. Time permitting, we will also look at play during times of crisis and why it is important for children to always have opportunities to play freely, especially in challenging times. Participants will have the opportunity to share their
challenges and successes.

L’apprentissage : un cheminement de vie (13h15 – 14h45)

Cet atelier cible différent éléments dans le document Comment apprend-on? Il y aura une emphase sur le développement du sentiment d’appartenance chez l’enfant. Nous aborderons plusieurs sujets tel que : l’envirronnement comme 3e enseignant, la co-création du milieux d’apprentissage, l’exploration du risque, le jeu en nature et l’analyse de risque et de bénéfices ainsi que les compétence du 21e siècle. Si nous avons le temps, nous explorerons aussi le concept du jeu libre en temps de crise. Les participant.e.s seront encouragées à partager leurs défis ainsi que leurs succès.

This workshop will cover different elements of How Does Learning Happen? Topics explored will include environment as third educator, co‐creating the learning environment, the exploration of risk, learning through inquiry, outdoor/nature play and risk/benefit analysis of the play space. Time permitting, we will also look at play during times of crisis and why it is important for children to always have opportunities to play freely, especially in challenging times. Participants will have the opportunity to share their
challenges and successes.

L’apprentissage : un cheminement de vie (13h15 – 14h45)

Cet atelier cible différent éléments dans le document Comment apprend-on? Il y aura une emphase sur le développement du sentiment d’appartenance chez l’enfant. Nous aborderons plusieurs sujets tel que : l’envirronnement comme 3e enseignant, la co-création du milieux d’apprentissage, l’exploration du risque, le jeu en nature et l’analyse de risque et de bénéfices ainsi que les compétence du 21e siècle. Si nous avons le temps, nous explorerons aussi le concept du jeu libre en temps de crise. Les participant.e.s seront encouragées à partager leurs défis ainsi que leurs succès.

For too long we've been taught that leadership is an exclusive group to which not everyone can or should be admitted. With admission to this private club based on achievements and accolades earned over time, too many extraordinary people dismiss the idea they have any right to call themselves a leader. This presentation will show how we can each work to change that.


In this engaging and empowering keynote, Drew aims to demonstrate that there is a form of leadership to which we should all aspire: one that is driven by a daily commitment to creating powerful moments of interpersonal impact.Drew will demonstrate how «The Leadership Test»--a step-by-step process rooted in behavioral psychology--can help you develop a conscious commitment to creating those moments of impact and embrace the belief that doing so gives you every right to call yourself a leader.


Designed to provide simple and practical strategies that can be immediately implemented at home and work, this presentation will change how and where you celebrate leadership in your life.


This session will NOT be recorded.

For too long we've been taught that leadership is an exclusive group to which not everyone can or should be admitted. With admission to this private club based on achievements and accolades earned over time, too many extraordinary people dismiss the idea they have any right to call themselves a leader. This presentation will show how we can each work to change that.


In this engaging and empowering keynote, Drew aims to demonstrate that there is a form of leadership to which we should all aspire: one that is driven by a daily commitment to creating powerful moments of interpersonal impact.Drew will demonstrate how «The Leadership Test»--a step-by-step process rooted in behavioral psychology--can help you develop a conscious commitment to creating those moments of impact and embrace the belief that doing so gives you every right to call yourself a leader.


Designed to provide simple and practical strategies that can be immediately implemented at home and work, this presentation will change how and where you celebrate leadership in your life.


This session will NOT be recorded.

Mary Lynne and Carole describe the evolution of culturally responsive practice at Intercultural Child and Family Centre's two locations: a diverse inner-city program and a college demonstration site. They will share ideas and projects that educators have used to transform environments, document children's learning and engage families. Every centre's context is unique and we hope you will come away with possibilities for using the strengths of educators and families in your own program.

Mary Lynne and Carole describe the evolution of culturally responsive practice at Intercultural Child and Family Centre's two locations: a diverse inner-city program and a college demonstration site. They will share ideas and projects that educators have used to transform environments, document children's learning and engage families. Every centre's context is unique and we hope you will come away with possibilities for using the strengths of educators and families in your own program.

This session is based on a research project aimed at understanding the educational experiences of refugee background children as
they journey from back home, to transition countries, and eventually to Canada. Their stories, artistic creations, and advice for educators will be shared and discussed. This session is aimed at educators working in out-of-school care and attendees will learn
strategies and gain resources for working with children from refugee backgrounds.

Working with youth has a number of challenges on its own; adding in the complexities of youth exploring their sexual and gender identities can seem overwhelming. This webinar will review the developmental stages that children go through and how they relate to gender and sexuality. We will discuss the nuances of allowing children to explore versus enforcing societal norms, and the implications of these choices. Participants will learn how to work with families of children who are exploring or questioning their sexuality and gender, and how you can help them navigate these complicated topics. The workshop will involve a mix of educational information, handouts and take aways, and case application to ensure a well-rounded and robust learning experience.

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the developmental process of developing gender and sexual identities in youth
2. Learn how to help youth navigate their gender and sexual identity exploration in healthy and meaningful ways
3. Learn how to help parents cope with and support children who are exploring their identities

This professional learning session is designed to challenge participants to think critically about bias, stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination. Participants will be guided through activities designed to raise equity consciousness and highlight the bias we all have and to better understand how we can use this awareness to create a safe, caring and inclusive environment promoting dignity and respect for all. Participants will explore strategies on how to deepen relationships with children, youth and their families.

This session will NOT be recorded.

ECEs have one of the most powerful jobs in the world. We support young minds, we create spaces that cultivate love and we are pouring love into children and families everyday while balancing our own families and responsibilities. We do it all! However, we have to make sure that we are also pouring into ourselves. We want to make sure that we are giving ourselves the same love and compassion everyday. After a day of learning and collaborating, let's make sure that we always keep our cup FULL!

This session will NOT be recorded.

ECEs have one of the most powerful jobs in the world. We support young minds, we create spaces that cultivate love and we are pouring love into children and families everyday while balancing our own families and responsibilities. We do it all! However, we have to make sure that we are also pouring into ourselves. We want to make sure that we are giving ourselves the same love and compassion everyday. After a day of learning and collaborating, let's make sure that we always keep our cup FULL!

This session will NOT be recorded.