The ECC Blog

In the bustling world of early childhood education, educators don many hats, serving not only as teachers but also as nurturers, mentors, and sometimes even confidants. However, one vital role often overlooked is that of an ally for parents and children navigating allergies. Allergies can be a source of significant stress and anxiety for both children and their caregivers. Still, with the proper support and understanding, early childhood educators can make a world of difference in ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all. Why is it important? Children spend a significant portion of their early years in childcare programs and classrooms, where they encounter various foods, environments, and potential allergens. For children with allergies, these spaces can pose severe risks if proper precautions are not taken. Early childhood educators, being the primary caregivers in these settings, play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of all children, including those with allergies. By becoming allies for parents and children navigating allergies, educators can: Create a Safe Environment: Educators can work with parents to identify allergens and implement necessary precautions to minimize the risk of exposure within the childcare setting. Raise Awareness: Educators can educate children and staff about allergies, fostering empathy, understanding, and a sense of community among all participants. Empower Children: Educators can empower children with allergies to advocate for themselves, teaching them to recognize allergens, communicate their needs, and seek help when necessary. Support Parents: Educators can offer support and reassurance to parents, providing them with peace of mind knowing that their child's allergies are being taken seriously and managed effectively. Tips for Educators: Familiarize Yourself: Take the time to familiarize yourself with common allergies, their symptoms, and emergency procedures. Knowledge is key to effective management. Communicate Openly: Maintain open lines of communication with parents, discussing their child's allergies, triggers, and any necessary accommodations or medications. Create Allergy-Friendly Policies: Implement clear policies and procedures regarding food handling, allergen labelling, and emergency response protocols within your childcare program or classroom. Educate and Sensitize: Incorporate allergy education into your curriculum, using age-appropriate materials and activities to raise awareness and promote understanding among children. Be Prepared: Keep emergency supplies, such as epinephrine injectors, readily available and ensure that all staff members are trained in their use. Promote Inclusivity: Foster a culture of inclusivity and acceptance, celebrating diversity and differences among all children, including those with allergies. >> Did you know Anisha offers workshops all about building the confidence of children with allergies in your program? Click here to see a list of our current workshops and professional learning for early educators.

At The Early Childhood Coach, we know strong leaders have a significant impact on a childcare program’s success. This year, we made it our top priority to gain insight into their daily challenges and provide realistic strategies for success. We started by surveying ECE leaders and educators to understand the current state of ECE leadership in 2024. Below, we discuss these findings, and Anisha shares the exciting solutions she and The ECC created to empower and support leaders and ECE communities. Tell us about your leadership research and how it informed your latest offerings through The ECC. We surveyed 36 leaders or aspiring leaders to dive into the distinctive viewpoints, hurdles, and aspirations of individuals currently working in early childhood education (ECE). Their responses provided us with a roadmap for understanding the unique needs of ECE leadership. We used these responses to inform our future programming and develop a new leadership certification program that directly addresses the most common challenges leaders face. We know leaders have plenty of options for leadership training. Unfortunately, most of these programs do not offer realistic strategies for day-to-day challenges. We created a custom program that tackles the hot topics on every leader’s mind: conflict resolution, burnout, communication, staff turnover, and team growth, to name a few. The responses from our survey directly informed the topic choices for our program , so we know we’re teaching leaders exactly what they want and need to learn. We equip leaders at all levels with the confidence and skills to tackle any challenge, transform your team, and build a brighter future for the children in your care. >>Want to find out why leadership training is essential in 2024? Request a copy of our 2024 Leadership Insights Report now. Why did you decide to create a leadership certification program? Most ECE leaders are not receiving practical leadership training. They are trained on day-to-day operations rather than everyday strategies like having difficult conversations, managing conflict, or navigating different personalities in the classroom. Our study found that 85% of ECE leaders felt unprepared for their leadership role. Nearly every leader I meet shares the same experience- they feel like they’ve been thrown into their position with little or no support or training. I’ve spent many years in the ECE industry, and this was my experience as well. ECE leaders care deeply about supporting their team’s growth and creating positive environments in the classroom. Leaders want to serve their teams, but with no training and so many tasks, all too often, they lose their spark and get burnt out. Our Early Childhood Leadership Certificate Program equips current and aspiring ECE leaders with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to transform their teams, manage conflict, and build a positive ECE culture that supports the growth and success of their childcare centre. We also saw a need for developing a unique approach to leadership training depending on where they are in their training, whether a new or aspiring leader or experienced leader who needs an energy recharge. We built two training pathways to support all ECE leaders in their journey: The Leadership Launchpad is for new and aspiring ECE leaders who want expert guidance and education that helps them transition from classroom to leadership roles with confidence and realistic strategies for success. The Leadership Recharge is for ECE leaders at all levels who want to rediscover their purpose and passion or feel better equipped to handle daily challenges and find a better work-life balance. >> Ready to level up your leadership skills and feel more confident in your role? Join the next cohort today ! What do childcare owners and corporate leaders need to know about ECE leadership in 2024? Business owners spend a lot of money on turnover and retraining staff. If they invested in building effective leaders instead, they would save money in the long run and support business growth. Parents and staff get tired of seeing a new person in the office so often. Owners must understand that it's about not just training leaders on daily activities and tasks but properly equipping them with the skills needed to create a well-rounded program. Sturdy, effective leaders support their company's growth and boost their business's bottom line. Yet in our recent survey, 88% of respondents said they haven't participated in any leadership or management training programs! Successful leaders keep enrollment up, retain and support reliable staff, and keep parents and kids happy. It's a win-win when businesses give leaders the resources and education they need to be successful. Our ECE leadership certification program tackles the real-world challenges that ECE leaders face, providing education, support, and coaching through our team of ECE experts. We become a part of the team, taking the heavy lifting off owner’s shoulders so they can focus on growing the business. >> We offer group discounts when you enroll multiple leaders! Book a discovery call to find out how. Can you talk about your experience as an ECE leader? I’ve had many different experiences across roles and companies; I spent more time in my 15 years in ECE as a leader than in the classroom. Like many ECE leaders, I felt thrown into my first leadership role and was not trained to lead a team! I jumped into leadership at a younger age, so most of my staff were older than me. It was a big thing to address that aspect of proving myself and having them take me seriously. And, of course, issues like this are not discussed in any other leadership programs right now. I had to learn on the job how to lead educators through problems, like mediating conflict between educators and parents. It’s crucial to make sure parents feel heard and validated while also protecting and supporting your staff. Managing all of that without training or a resource guide was tough! In most of my roles, the only support I had was from owners or the board of directors. Most of them had never held ECE leadership roles and did not have the experience to help me navigate these difficult conversations and conflicts. Unfortunately, not much has changed since then, and leaders still feel alone in managing their roles. >>Learn more about Anisha and The ECC team here . How did you transition from ECE leadership to becoming a coach? I used to always think that if I just had a coach who could support me and I could ask questions without judgment, it would be so much better. You have your staff, but you must have boundaries, and there are certain conversations you can’t have with them. But then you often don’t have support from the top-level executives either, so who do you go to? I decided to be the coach that I wanted to have all those years. I see over and over again leaders searching for spaces where they can share struggles and find support that isn’t available in their workplace. Because I’ve held many different leadership roles in ECE, I have a unique understanding and wealth of experience in all aspects and levels of leadership. I can help leaders understand what they can change and what they need to let go of. It is so important to manage our own mental health and well-being as leaders. Our leadership survey found that only 14% of leaders had implemented strategies or knew how to manage work-life balance. I help leaders find better work-life balance while supporting their teams to prevent burnout. Both of our leadership tracks tackle these issues so leaders can look forward to lasting success in their personal and professional lives. Why did you feel it was important to include live coaching sessions in leadership training? We know leaders are busy but still need personalized support, so we created a custom program with a flexible mix of on-demand training and live coaching sessions. We offer two options for live training for your convenience: Virtual coaching: You can meet with me and a small group of peers from the comfort of your own home or office. In-person coaching: We book a beautiful space to get together or come to your location to meet directly with your team for a one-of-a-kind experience. Each coaching session with me is specifically curated to the issues leaders face. They can ask questions and bring issues to the table so we can discuss as a group and problem-solve together. Life at the top can be lonely- I’m here to be your sounding board and safe space to talk through issues, answer questions, and help you recharge and embrace your leadership role. This also allows leaders to connect with others at a similar stage in their careers. It is so meaningful to be able to talk to someone who understands where you’re coming from. We want this program to become an extension of your leadership team, supporting the growth and success of your childcare centre by empowering leaders and transforming teams. Learn how we support leaders at every level by visiting T he ECC Leadership Certification Program .

One of the best things you can do to keep your classroom children engaged, curious, and stimulated is to change your layout, add different textures, or utilize window space and ceiling areas. Redesigning should be your friend, not something scary! Adding wall art, decor, and organic materials should never be overlooked. This is a classroom, yes, but it is also your home away from home. Let's make it beautiful and functional together with these classroom hacks. The first and easiest thing I always recommend for any classroom is bringing in live plants. Artificial plants can offer some benefits, but the advantages of live plants outweigh the cons of nurturing them. Plants offer stress-reducing and calming properties that can help with mental ailments. They also improve the air quality around you, which is a great hack for fresher air when your classroom windows don’t open. Plus, it's fun to have the children water and garden with you—a hack for children is to cut a paper plate on one side into the middle and place it around the plant on top of the soil, acting as a barrier. This will keep any unwanted hands out of the soil! The next recommendation I would make is to get some wall decor! This is helpful for you as the educator, creating a second home for the children and for someone who enjoys both functional and unique art. The best thing you can do for your classroom is to get some stuff on the walls, using macrame hangers for your plants, stuffed animals, or other items. Have some natural materials on your bulletin boards like burlap, fabric pieces, or even faux fur or plants as borders. Now, I’m sure you’re wondering why this is even a recommendation, let alone a top recommendation. That's because these are also functional—they help reduce sound in the classroom. Reducing classroom sounds helps children develop speech and even reduces some unwanted behaviours. The last recommendation I can give—aside from learning more about your specific room's needs and interests—is to add lights and covers to the lights. Classrooms can go from very energetic to winding down for nap time by simply changing the lights from white/yellow to blue. Great ways to incorporate this are through cost-effective LED light strips, fairy lights, and even desk lamps with blue light bulbs. We forget as adults that light is a visual cue for us. The light tells us when it's bedtime, or for those of us from the 80s and 90s when to get home. The light also tells us when to wake up. Why can’t it tell us when to feel calm or when to feel kindness? To further that, studies have also shown light can be used as therapy to heal the body. Utilizing lights and colours to your classroom's needs is a home run all around; it's good for the soul, the body, and the mind! Redesigning your room shouldn’t cost hundreds of dollars. These three incredible hacks should cost under $20 each, or you can shop around for a bargain on local marketplaces to stretch your dollar. These are so simple but often missed. Once you start integrating any one of these into your classroom, you’ll notice a difference in the children, how you show up to educate the little ones, and how many parents and peers want to incorporate your ideas into their spaces.

Susannah Margison is a conflict strategist, life coach, and lawyer who empowers her clients to overcome conflict and access their ability to level up in a crisis. She offers valuable guidance for early childhood educators and leaders in handling conflict with grace and confidence. Read on for strategies to not only navigate conflict but embrace it as an opportunity for growth and connection. Tell us about your role and how you help people and companies overcome conflict: I started my career as a trial lawyer, but the most rewarding moments were when I could set aside the lawyer persona and speak to clients human to human. I decided to focus my work on strategies to prevent problems and respond to conflict more effectively. Instead of fixing an issue and walking away, I wanted to bring people together and address root causes. Now, I work with individuals and businesses as a conflict strategist and coach. As a coach, I help people work through conflict or manage a crisis. I consult with companies to provide training or meet with individuals or teams experiencing conflict. Sometimes I'll go in and evaluate what's happening in the organization, looking at the big picture and troubleshooting recurring problems. I can help them draft a response to a complaint or evaluate why customers are leaving their company. Why do people struggle to face conflict in the workplace? Conflict starts brewing when people are anxious and don't feel safe. Many factors can influence employee experience. One thing I look for is strong leadership. If leadership isn't strong, you'll see conflict among employees. Another issue that creates conflict is categories. When employees are sorted into cliques or different groups, it becomes an us vs. them mentality. The most significant paradigm shift needed is for people to realize that conflict doesn’t have to be a bad thing. I would prefer employees talk to their leaders about an issue so it can be investigated and appropriate interventions can be made before it gets out of hand. Problems often arise when there isn't open communication between employees and leadership. Leaders need to let their team know it is safe to communicate openly. What are your top tips for educators tackling conflict in the classroom? Conflict is upsetting, and when people get upset, they often jump to conclusions without looking at the complete picture. Educators need to take a moment to understand the full scope of what's happening and determine if more information is necessary to understand the conflict. Conflict among colleagues can be tricky. Sometimes, you have a person who isn't doing anything wrong on paper, but they bring a negative vibe or energy. Speaking to them gently but directly about the experience they're creating is helpful. Employees who genuinely care about the workplace culture may not even realize that their behavior is affecting other people and will want to do better. If someone escalates conflict with you, it's essential to ask yourself: Who do I want to be in this moment? What do I want to model for my kids? You can't change other people, but you can change the energy you bring when you respond to them. >> Easily overwhelmed by conflict? Try Susannah's Pivot Point Power Hour for instant relief! What is the best approach for educators when confronted by frustrated parents or families? One of the best skills people can learn is acknowledging another person's experience and validating their feelings. If a parent addresses a concern with you, acknowledge their frustration . Thank them for informing you of the issue, and let them know you want to help fix the situation. Re-state their concern and ask, "Did I get that right? Did I leave anything out?" Bring energy to the conversation that shows them you are safe and want to help. Let them know that anyone in their shoes would feel similarly. Statements like "I want to make sure this doesn't happen again" are helpful and give parents peace of mind that you will work with them to prevent further problems. If their response seems disproportionate to the situation, keep asking questions. "I want to make sure I'm not missing something. Can you help me understand?" or "I can tell this is important to you, and I just want to get the whole picture." Then, summarize the issue and ask, "Did I get it right? Am I missing anything?" This reiterates that you respect them and care about their feelings and their child. How can ECE leaders manage conflict more effectively? The number one piece of advice I give leaders is to change the narrative around conflict. Conflict doesn’t have to be a bad thing! You want to have people in your organization expressing their ideas. You want to have people who disagree with you because none of us have all the answers. You must have a culture where an employee can come to you and present a different way of thinking about an issue. Other core components of strong leadership: Rules of engagement: Get everybody on the same page. Get employees together once a year or meet regularly to talk about your organization's values and culture. Positive rewards: Reinforce positive behaviors as often as possible. Build reward structures for great teammates and people who make the organization a better place. Constructive feedback: Strong leaders encourage feedback and create a culture that separates the person from the problem. Let employees know that when you're giving feedback, you're not saying they are a bad employee; you're investing in their growth. Transparency: Be as transparent as possible and find common ground with your staff. Instill Trust: Employees need to trust your expertise and judgment. Explain the rationale behind your decisions to get everyone on board. Let employees know you respect their feedback. Reliability: Do what you say you're going to do. Be clear about your role and how you address conflict. Let your staff know how you'll handle conflict and concerns when they are brought to you. >> Want to take staff appreciation to the next level? We have a workshop for that! We've all experienced individuals who become confrontational with minimal conflict. What's the best way to approach those hard-to-handle employees? People problems always become profit problems at the end of the day. Childcare centres must have policies in place that prevent bullying and inappropriate behavior because its effects can trickle down and impact children. If it's a one-time issue where an employee's behavior escalates, be direct and set boundaries. Work with the employee to address the concern and ensure it doesn't happen again. You need to establish clear expectations and address behavior promptly to maintain a positive environment for children. Notice how an employee responds when you bring up concerns. These are crucial conversations where you should show each other mutual respect and agree on common goals. As a leader you can say, "I value your work here and want to see you succeed. Because of that, I need to bring up this concern with you." If they remain open to working on it, you'll know they are willing to learn and grow. If they respond by blaming others or saying one thing to you but start gossiping among staff later, those are red flags that they may not be a good fit for your organization. If you notice employees with a consistently negative attitude, they may need motivation through positive reinforcement or tapping into their purpose as an ECE. The ECE world is hard work; it helps when employees feel recognized and find meaning in their work. Ask educators about their future goals and how you can help support them so they know you are invested in their future success. >> Rediscover your passion for ECE with one of our most popular workshops: The Power of Your ECE Story. Take the first step towards conquering conflict by attending Susannah and Anisha's workshop, where you'll gain practical tools and strategies to navigate conflict effectively and empower yourself and your team. Reserve your spot before it fills up!

February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate the rich history and contributions of Black individuals. As we reflect on the importance of diversity and inclusion, it's crucial to recognize the impact of representation in early childhood education. In this blog post, we'll explore why amplifying Black and Brown voices in the classroom is essential for fostering an inclusive environment, drawing from personal experiences and emphasizing the role of educators in shaping the future. The Significance of Representation in Early Childhood Education: Cultural Competence: To be a great teacher, one must understand and appreciate the diverse backgrounds of their students. Including diverse voices in early childhood education helps create a culturally competent learning environment where every child feels seen and valued. Building Empathy: Exposure to different perspectives from a young age promotes empathy and understanding. Incorporating diverse stories and experiences helps children develop a broader worldview and learn to appreciate differences. Identity Development: Representation matters in shaping a child's sense of identity. Seeing role models who look like them in educational settings instills confidence and a sense of belonging, positively influencing their self-esteem and aspirations. Personal Experience: From Student to Speaker As a Black woman who started as a little girl in early childhood education, I've witnessed firsthand the transformative power of representation. My journey from a student eager to learn to a speaker advocating for diversity in education has been shaped by mentors and educators who believed in the importance of amplifying underrepresented voices. Being a positive influence in a child's life goes beyond the curriculum – it's about showing them what's possible through real-world examples. As an educator, I strive to be the representation I didn't always see, inspiring the next generation of diverse leaders in early childhood education.

Connection and relationships form the foundation of caring for young children. As natural connectors, early childhood professionals strive daily to establish a secure base for relationships with children, coworkers, and parents. However, we all know how busy days with young children can be. Due to centre hours, meetings, paperwork, and other staffing duties, educators often get pulled away during pick-up or drop-off. With daily routines and transitions, there may be limited time to get everything done, let alone to connect one-on-one with families and caregivers. Some days, it may feel like there is barely time for a brief morning greeting and goodbye. Discover five simple steps to stay connected, whether in person or through the centre, so you can provide support on days when programs or families cannot connect due to lack of time. Connect Quickly in Big Ways Start the Day with a Smile Start each day by greeting parents and children with a warm smile and hello. While it may seem awkward to engage with strangers, this simple act supports meaningful interactions. Parents will feel more at ease and be more likely to ask questions or get involved. This kind gesture also fosters a sense of safety and community among all members, including coworkers. >> Reflection time: What does "Welcome" mean to you? Visit our Facebook group to share your favorite ways to welcome families! Cultivate Community Space Create a community space, such as a center or classroom, to encourage parents or caregivers to share their thoughts and feel valued as a family. A family engagement board can serve as a platform for this purpose. Displaying family photos and asking questions can facilitate brief connections that bring parents closer to the community. >> Try out this print and post engagement welcome ! Engage families by inquiring about their favorite books, snacks, and playtime activities. Display this resource prominently near sign-in stations to capture their interest. Communicate with Child-Centric Posters and Pictures Posters are an effective way to keep families updated with non-essential information and fun events. Easily catch parents' attention with child-centered visuals and photos. Even without direct interaction, this simple gesture helps families and educators engage more effectively. Consider posting flyers around the center that contain simple play and learning ideas, as well as child development information. This can be a quick and fun way to support families and keep them informed about your program. If you wish to engage in two-way communication with families, use QR codes to share forms, videos, and surveys. Display Artwork and Achievements Families will appreciate their child being recognized in simple but meaningful ways. Showcase children's artwork, learning materials, and photographs in a communal area like the lobby or playground so parents can appreciate their children's growth and development. It only takes a few minutes to share a brief anecdote about a child's positive accomplishment during the day, but this small step strengthens the relationship between the child, parent, and educator. Download Digital Tools that Connect with a Click When using digital documentation tools such as HiMama or Storypark, centres can share quick examples of a child's growth and learning with families regularly. Include photos of children engaged in activities, smiling, and playing with others to provide a well-rounded snapshot of their progress. If programs don't have digital access, use traditional printed photos and share the learning physically! These are just a few approaches to enhance inclusion and foster a sense of belonging. To prioritize relationships for everyone in the centre, offer various ways to connect that are not one-size-fits-all. As How Does Learning Happen (2014) says, "Every child feels a sense of belonging when they are connected to others and contribute to the world." This applies to parents too. When you create an atmosphere that encourages connection, parental engagement becomes a natural and consistent part of the day, even when things get busy. Try one (or more!) of these easy-to-implement ideas today. Make sure you come back to the comments and let us know how it goes! Resources Ministry of Education, How does learning happen?: Ontario’s pedagogy for the Early Years: A resource about learning through relationships for those who work with young children and their families (2014). Toronto; Ministry of Education.

Wealthsimple Foundation is on a meaningful mission to make post-secondary education more affordable and inclusive for all. We know you've got questions, so read on to discover everything educators need to know about how WSF enhances education access in Canada. Tell us about Wealthsimple Foundation and the work you do: At Wealthsimple Foundation, our mission is to break down the barriers to education for everyone living in Canada. We do this in three ways: education savings promotion, accessible personal finance education, and bursary programs for modest- income students. We believe that everyone deserves access to education, regardless of background or income level. What types of programs do you offer, and who do they help? We design our programs with simplicity and impact in mind. They include: 1. Education Savings Promotion: This includes helping families access government grants, specifically the Canada Learning Bond , a $500 - $2000 per child benefit, and open Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs) . 2. Financial Literacy: Delivered in partnership with community organizations across Canada. 3. Bursaries: Low-barrier bursaries for modest-income students. 4. Career Support: Innovative future-focused programming for young people. What work has WSF completed or on a mission to complete for the education community? Wealthsimple Foundation is committed to making post-secondary education accessible for all. To date, we have helped over 12,000 people across Canada access $7M in Canada Learning Bond payments - a $500 - $2000 contribution free benefit that ~⅔ of young people are eligible for - helped 4,863 people access personal finance education through community partners, and provided $136,000 in bursary funding to students to help them attend post-secondary. What is Financial Literacy Month? Financial Literacy Month is a dedicated period to shine a spotlight on the importance of financial literacy. It’s a time for organizations, educators, and financial experts to come together, share resources, and educate the public on how to achieve financial well-being. Why is financial literacy critical? How does it connect to early childhood education? Financial literacy is foundational—it equips individuals with the skills to make smart financial decisions, paving the way for a stable and secure future. For early childhood educators, it’s about planting the seeds of financial awareness that can lead to well-informed financial decisions in adulthood. We also believe that when educators are financially empowered, this extends to the children, families, and communities they serve. Early childhood educators play a key role in our communities by shaping young minds and connecting families with the tools and resources they need. Imagine ECEs equipped with robust financial education—this knowledge doesn’t just stay within the walls of the classroom. It has a positive ripple effect, extending into their communities. Through their interactions, ECEs can weave financial literacy into everyday learning. They are in a powerful position to impact generations, turning lessons into legacies. What tools and resources do you have for early childhood educators? *** 1. RESP calculator: Our online tool helps families figure out how much they could save and earn for their education goals. 2. Website resources: We provide a wealth of information on our website , including guides on opening a RESP, understanding government grants, and a number of financial know-hows. 3. 1:1 RESP onboarding support: Our team is available to answer any questions you may have about opening an RESP for your own family or your students' families. 4. Host events in their community: We can work with early childhood educators to host financial literacy events in their communities, helping parents and caregivers understand the importance of saving for post-secondary education. How can early educators get involved to support families and children? Early educators hold a special key to unlocking a brighter future for families and children, and there are several impactful ways they can get involved: 1. Get to know the education savings incentives availabl e , like the Canada Learning Bond (CLB), a $500-$2000 benefit for modest-income families to kickstart their children’s post-secondary education savings without personal contributions. 2. Share the knowledge: With as little as $500 saved, students are 3X more likely to pursue higher education and 4X more likely to graduate. 3. We invite you to connect with us through the ECE Hub on Facebook. You can join the ECE Hub on Facebook and reach out to Gina or Emily for personalized guidance on making informed decisions to support your children and communities. 4. Keep an eye out for our upcoming workshops and training to further your impact. Stay engaged with our community through our social channels and newsletter for updates on upcoming events, financial education content, and more. Interested in finding out how you can contribute to improving education for everyone? Join the ECE Hub on Facebook and connect with Gina or Emily from the Wealthsimple Foundation!

The classroom setup: an exciting endeavor met by nearly every educator. Classroom setup should always be intentional, whether it's the start of the school year, a move to a new classroom, or you just want to break up the monotony with a makeover. How a classroom looks, sounds, and functions is essential for children's learning. In fact, Loris Malaguzzi, the founder of the Reggio Emilia approach to education, coined the phrase "Third Teacher" (after parents and educators) when referring to the classroom environment. There are many things to consider when you set up a classroom, such as furniture placement, learning centre offerings, and materials placement. What’s even more essential is the feel of your classroom. Children enter early learning programs with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and needs. When you create a classroom where every child feels seen and heard by caregivers, you foster a sense of belonging and well-being for all the children in your care. How can we ensure children feel valued, celebrated, and have a sense of belonging in their classroom? Let's examine six essential components that help children feel safe and secure in their learning environment. Create a Classroom Where... Children Feel Seen Offer diverse materials and books that display different families, skin colours, and cultures to help children feel represented. For example, ensure you offer crayons and paints include a full spectrum of skin tones, dolls of different races, and storybooks with alternative family units. Display children's pictures around the room to show they are a valuable part of your classroom. >> Access to a diverse library of books is essential for children. Visit The ECC’s Amazon storefront for an epic list of inclusive books! Children Feel Heard Consider who is doing the talking. Are you speaking the most at group times while the children are quiet? Get them to open up and participate in fun ways. Choose a child to lead a song or game each day! Invite children to co-construct the learning environment with you (in age-appropriate ways). These fun questions might get them started: How could we change the dramatic play centre? What materials do you think we will need? I have a new train set to put out; where would you like to play with it? Provide a quiet space in your classroom where children can go when they feel overwhelmed or stressed. Cozy pillows or a bean bag chair with fidget toys or books can help calm a child quickly. Creativity Is Encouraged Allow lots of time for creative expression. Art is one of the many ways children share their thoughts, feelings, and growing sense of self and interpretations of their world. Offer a variety of materials for visual arts, including different types of scissors, thicknesses of drawing and painting tools, and different colours, sizes, and textures of paper. Offer scarves, music, pieces of fabric, puppets, and props for children to act out their thoughts and feelings. Provide open-ended materials, such as loose parts, for children to express their ideas. Achievements Are Celebrated Hang children's artwork at eye level to share with the class. Ensure children see their names around the classroom in various contexts, i.e., on name cards, photos, and in class books. Highlight big and small wins with the class, such as a structure someone worked hard on in the block centre or a student's newest drawing. Share successes with parents and families through daily discussions, parent boards/newsletters, or digital tools. Children Feel Valued Consider children in all decision-making first and foremost. Build connections with children by asking questions about their learning, making eye contact, playing alongside them, sharing excitement, and respecting their ideas and feelings. Build relationships with families by getting to know them, celebrating successes, supporting needs, and openly communicating. >> It’s vital for educators to feel seen and valued too! The ECC offers many workshops on diversity, ECE appreciation, and much more. Download our full list to see how we can help! Curiosity Is Cultivated Honour children's questions about the world around them. Instead of giving them the answer, offer tools to help them identify solutions on their own! Develop their sense of place. Provide natural elements in their day, such as helping them care for child-safe plants. Maintain connections to the outdoors with bird watching or cloud gazing. Ask about their interests and help them investigate! When you consider these child-centric components during classroom setup, you can be confident that you are fostering a sense of belonging and community in your classroom. Below you will find additional resources for even more ideas that encourage inclusion. When children feel included in the classroom process, and their identities are at the forefront of our planning, they recognize themselves as an essential part of their classroom community. Resources https://www.ontario.ca/document/kindergarten-program-2016/thinking-about-belonging-and-contributing#section-0 https://files.ontario.ca/edu-how-does-learning-happen-en-2021-03-23.pdf https://appletasticlearning.com/how-to-make-students-feel-like-they-belong/ https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/nov2015/emergent-curriculum

Meet Melissa Gagnon, a certified Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) with over a decade of experience working with kids and adults. We sat down with Melissa, and she wowed us with insights on early interventions that support lifelong literacy. Read on for simple strategies you can implement right away to make an impact on early literacy in ECE. Tell us all about you and the work you do to support literacy. My current work focuses on literacy in children, which is very much tied to speech and language development. About halfway into my SLP career, I noticed that kids with speech and/or language delays often struggled with reading and there were few options available for supporting these children. It was due to this gap that I decided to pursue continuing education and began to realize just how much speech, language, and literacy are connected. I wanted to learn more about the science of reading and how I could support kids on their journey to become successful readers through research-based therapy. Children struggling with literacy needed extra support, and parents often struggled to figure out why they were falling behind. They would tend to question their child’s abilities and invest in tutors and/or other services, not necessarily how literacy was being taught. What drives your passion for enhancing literacy? I struggled as a young reader myself, so I relate to kids who struggle a lot with reading. It was difficult being a poor reader, as this affected other areas of my life, such as social interactions. We know literacy is deeply connected to academics and quality of life, and literacy rates in Canada are dropping. This is a problem because literacy is a part of everyday life, and a certain level of literacy is required to complete tasks of daily living. There are five literacy levels, with level three being the bare minimum of proficiency. Research has shown that increasing literacy rates by 1% in Canada would create an $18 billion/year increase in the GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Literacy has a lifelong impact on quality of life, which is why I'm so passionate about it. >> Learn more about Melissa’s early struggles with reading and her journey to supporting literacy on her blog . What should every ECE know about literacy in the early years? One of the biggest misconceptions is that literacy is learned in the same way as language. Most people believe we just need to expose kids to words and letters and read to them until they eventually pick it up. We now know that is not the case. Reading is not learned through exposure; it requires different areas of the brain to make connections. We must establish those neural pathways through an explicit and direct teaching approach. In fact, did you know that 95% of students can learn to read when taught using instruction and programs based on the science of reading? Only 30% of students will learn how to read without any instruction (through exposure only). In your work, what are some things you see happening that need to be addressed in the early years? When most people think of literacy, they think of teaching kids the ABCs. But that is just one core component of literacy (phonics). There are five core components of literacy: phonics, phonological awareness, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary. Phonics is fantastic, but we focus a lot of energy on that, and we don't necessarily do it correctly. Letter sounds, not letter names, are the most important aspect of phonics. This includes teaching all 44 sounds of the English language, not just the 26 sounds of the alphabet. Using lowercase letters is also important because kids are exposed to them more frequently. Phonics is also best learned through a multisensory approach. Many people are not familiar with the term, but phonological awareness is the most significant predictor of a child's literacy success down the road. It is the ability to understand and recognize sounds and to manipulate them through rhyming, blending, segmenting, and substitution. The good news is that you can work on phonological awareness skills with children as early as three years old; this may even be before they know letter names and sounds. For example, if you are on a walk with your kids, you can play 'I Spy' and say, "I spy a 'c' 'aa' 't,' slowly sounding out each letter sound, and ask them to blend these sounds into a word to determine what you see (cat). It's a fun detective game for kids, and it teaches them how to blend sounds. There are many other activities that you can do in a child’s everyday life to help build the foundation of literacy as well!