Inspired Minds ECC Consulting Inc.

Finding Calm in the Chaos
2022-01-18 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Edmonton) | Online!, Alberta, Canada
Finding Calm in the Chaos: The Importance of Self Care for Early Childhood Educators
As early childhood educators, providers and leaders, we are used to always lending a helping hand when needed and going the extra mile for our children, our families, our co-workers and our field in general. We work hard, long hours. We go through a mirage of feelings, ups and downs. And through all this…we do it with a smile (usually). So, why do we forget about ourselves? What happens when we reach the edge of what we can do? Are we at burnout? How can we avoid burnout and recognize when it’s time to focus on us! Join me as we discuss how to take time for YOU and why it’s important to do so. Find your niche in what you need to find peace within yourself and strategies to unwind during those stressful times. Take time for reflection and connection with other educators who are experiencing similar feelings and learn from each other! Together, we will find the calm in the chaos and remind each other that “YOU are AMAZING!”
Objectives:

Understanding and Identifying Stress
Trauma, Burnout and Compassion Fatigue
Culturally Responsive Self-Care
Self-Care Practices

Notes:

This workshop will be held online through the Zoom platform.
You will need access to a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer with audio capabilities to join us.
A link will be emailed to you in the days prior to the workshop. Please click the link ten minutes before the workshop begins to join in.
Certificates of participation will be available to registered participants.
All registered participants will have 30 days access to the webinar recording.

NEW! Leadership Series: Leading Your Team to Success
2022-01-25 19:00 - 21:00 | Online!, Alberta, Canada
NEW! Leading Your Team to Success: Collective Leadership for Early Childhood Leaders
Leadership is key in early childhood programs. We need strong leaders to guide us through policies and best practices to help educators achieve their goals and ensure high quality practices in our early childhood programs. Leadership is a skill that takes time, intentionality, and reflection. It takes a concrete understanding of best practices in the early years, effective communication strategies and insight of how to motivate and encourage your team. Every team member requires something different to motivate them…it’s up to the leaders to uncover this and let it shine through. To be an effective leader, we need to adopt and adapt coaching practices that allow us to facilitate learning and self discovery. Leadership is not about what you want, but how to inspire others to find their path on the way to success and best practices. This workshop will take leaders on a journey of discovery and reflection as we the many paths that lead to inspiring adult learners to become empowered early childhood educators.
Objectives:

Define leadership
Identify the key elements to collective leadership in early childhood programs
Strategies and Practices to lead your team to success
Reflective practices for leaders

Notes:

This workshop will be held online through the Zoom platform.
You will need access to a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer with audio capabilities to join us.
A link will be emailed to you in the days prior to the workshop. Please click the link ten minutes before the workshop begins to join in.
Certificates of participation will be available to registered participants.
All registered participants will have 30 days access to the webinar recording.

NEW! The Inner Child!
2022-02-01 19:00 - 21:00 | Online!, Alberta, Canada
NEW! The Inner Child! Developing the Spiritual Well-Being of Every Child
A relatively new term in early childhood that we are seeing more and more is the term ‘spiritual development.’ What does this mean? How can we support spiritual development in the early learning environment? In this session we will discuss what spiritual development is and how to foster spiritual well-being in young children. We will discuss strategies and play experiences that will support children in their own learning journey of discovering who they are and what their role is in their community.
Objectives:

Identify spiritual development and what it means in early childhood
Connect and reflect on our own spiritual well-being and how it impacts our practices
Identify strategies and play experiences that help develop children’s spiritual well-being

Notes:

This workshop will be held online through the Zoom platform.
You will need access to a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer with audio capabilities to join us.
A link will be emailed to you in the days prior to the workshop. Please click the link ten minutes before the workshop begins to join in.
Certificates of participation will be available to registered participants.
All registered participants will have 30 days access to the webinar recording.

We All Belong: Inclusive Practices in the Early Years
2022-02-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Online!, Alberta, Canada
We All Belong: Inclusive Practices in the Early Years
We live in a world that is wonderfully diverse – not only culturally but also in our unique abilities. Some of us can sing while others can solve Sudoku in a couple minutes. Children all learn at their own rate and in their own way. It’s up to us, the important adults in their lives, to help them on this journey they are travelling on. In order to do this effectively, we need to understand what these abilities are, how they are unique to each child, and what we can do to support them. This is what we discuss in this session! Let’s talk about all the different learning styles of children, from extrovert to introverts, to children with Autism, hearing impairments or with sensory processing disorder. Every child can learn! Every child belongs! Let’s make sure we can set up our environment for every child and get them on their path to the future!
Objectives:

Describe inclusion, gender identity, special needs and disability
Identify common early childhood disabilities
Outlines the barriers and obstacles to inclusion
Provides practical approaches for supporting an environment of belonging and inclusion

Notes:

This workshop will be held online through the Zoom platform.
You will need access to a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer with audio capabilities to join us.
A link will be emailed to you in the days prior to the workshop. Please click the link ten minutes before the workshop begins to join in.
Certificates of participation will be available to registered participants.
All registered participants will have 30 days access to the webinar recording.

NEW! Leadership Series: Mentoring and Coaching Your Team to Success
2022-02-22 19:00 - 21:00 | Online!, Alberta, Canada
NEW! Mentoring and Coaching Your Team to Success: Effective Coaching and Mentoring Practices for Early Childhood Leaders
Coaching and mentoring are key strategies to building stronger teams, competent and capable educators and creating a learning organization. Building on your team’s ability to transfer knowledge, skills and attitudes after a training supports a cohesive and positive work environment. Coaching an mentoring is not about telling educators what to do or how to do it, but joining them on their journey of learning to help them reach their goals and their potential as early childhood educators. When we join educators on the journey of learning, reflection and transformation we can build a team of educators that truly do believe in what they do and become advocates for children and our profession!
Objectives:

Define coaching and mentoring
Identify coaching strategies, practice and process
Identify mentoring strategies, practice and process
Ensure goal setting and providing follow up support

Notes:

This workshop will be held online through the Zoom platform.
You will need access to a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer with audio capabilities to join us.
A link will be emailed to you in the days prior to the workshop. Please click the link ten minutes before the workshop begins to join in.
Certificates of participation will be available to registered participants.
All registered participants will have 30 days access to the webinar recording.

From Crying to Smiling: Understanding Children's Behaviours
2022-03-08 19:00 - 21:00 | Online!, Alberta, Canada
From Crying to Smiling: Understanding Children’s Behaviours
Ever wonder WHY some children react in ways we just don’t understand? The screaming, biting and hitting came from no where! When a seemingly small situation throws them right into a major meltdown. Feeling like you’re at a standstill of what to do next? Well, then this webinar is for you! Join us as we discuss the why’s behind children’s difficult and challenging behaviors and how we can support them during these difficult moments. Learn what happens in a child’s brain when the are dysregulated and take away some tools that can help you bring them to a responsive state of mind. It’s not easy sometimes…but YOU are the one who can make a difference. YOU can help them move from reacting to responding by making meaningful connections and adding some great activities and strategies that everyone can use!
Objectives:

Identifying Behaviour as Communication
Trauma and Behaviours
Impact of Environment on Behaviour
Strategies for Positive Supports

Notes:

This workshop will be held online through the Zoom platform.
You will need access to a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer with audio capabilities to join us.
A link will be emailed to you in the days prior to the workshop. Please click the link ten minutes before the workshop begins to join in.
Certificates of participation will be available to registered participants.
All registered participants will have 30 days access to the webinar recording.

The Daily Struggle: Facilitating Conflict Resolution
2022-03-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Online!, Alberta, Canada
The Daily Struggle: Facilitating Conflict Resolution
Conflict is something that we all experience on a daily basis. We all have our own perceptions and experiences and opinions, and with children…these opinions can get very vocal! It’s up to us, the adults in their lives, to facilitate how to resolve conflicts constructively so that our children can grow into success problem solvers and engage in healthy conflicts! It’s not an overnight process, but with positive supports, children will start to understand different perspectives and understand how to resolve conflicts in a healthy manner. Let’s help them on this journey of success and understanding!
Objectives:

Establish the ‘why’ to conflict resolution
Discuss the learning behind conflict
Strategies to prepare for conflict resolution
Identifying steps & strategies to facilitate conflict resolution

Notes:

This workshop will be held online through the Zoom platform.
You will need access to a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer with audio capabilities to join us.
A link will be emailed to you in the days prior to the workshop. Please click the link ten minutes before the workshop begins to join in.
Certificates of participation will be available to registered participants.
All registered participants will have 30 days access to the webinar recording.

Observing Play with Intention: Enriching your Emergent Curriculum Approach
2022-03-22 19:00 - 21:00 | Online!, Alberta, Canada
Observing Play with Intention: Enriching your Emergent Curriculum Approach
Every take the time to sit back and simply observe children playing? The conversations they have, even by themselves. The curiosity they show when they are exploring something new. The expressions of satisfaction when they are deep in thought in play and when they reach a personal goal. These observations of play tell us so much about the children’s perspective and learning journey, that we need to write this down and capture it! There are so many discoveries and ‘ah-ha’ moments throughout the day that it’s sometimes difficult for us to figure out what to write down though. So let’s learn together as we discuss strategies of intentional observations and practice how to conduct intentional observations that assist us in enriching our environment by implementing the emergent curriculum approach.
Objectives:

Identify the roots to emergent curriculum approach
Review tips and tricks for effective observations
Implement strategies to improve observation techniques
Connections to the Alberta Flight Curriculum Framework

Notes:

This workshop will be held online through the Zoom platform.
You will need access to a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer with audio capabilities to join us.
A link will be emailed to you in the days prior to the workshop. Please click the link ten minutes before the workshop begins to join in.
Certificates of participation will be available to registered participants.
All registered participants will have 30 days access to the webinar recording.

NEW! Leadership Series: Bringing the Village Together
2022-03-29 19:00 - 21:00 | Online!, Alberta, Canada
NEW! Bringing the Village Together: Team Building Practices for Early Childhood Organizations
Creative, inspirational and effective team building strategies help to create a foundation of respect, trust and cohesiveness that every early childhood team needs in order to provide high quality care to the children and families they work with. We are the village that works together to help children thrive! Selecting and implementing activities, strategies and practices that are cultural appropriate, focus on communication and overcoming obstacles together are just some of your goals with any team building experience. Together, we will explore, play and reflect on how to make team building a part of your regular routine within your program. This is not just for leaders – your whole team can join in this learning experience. From team meetings to reflective practices to playful activities, let’s make sure that every team member feels a sense of belonging and a valued team member!
Objectives:

Define effective teams and the core values and practices of effective teams
Pinpoint obstacles and struggles to building effective teams and find solutions to these obstacles
Identify and reflect on team building practices in a variety of contexts
Engage in team building experiences

Notes:

This workshop will be held online through the Zoom platform.
You will need access to a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer with audio capabilities to join us.
A link will be emailed to you in the days prior to the workshop. Please click the link ten minutes before the workshop begins to join in.
Certificates of participation will be available to registered participants.
All registered participants will have 30 days access to the webinar recording.

Playful Planning: Enriching your Emergent Curriculum Approach
2022-04-05 19:00 - 21:00 | Online!, Alberta, Canada
Playful Planning: Enriching your Emergent Curriculum Approach
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. To achieve this, one of the most popular and best approaches is the emergent curriculum approach. This approach let’s 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 compliment or extend on these interests. Being intentional on how we prepare a responsive environment is a key element to emergent planning. How we plan activities, play experiences, provocations and invitations and make changes to our environment all depends on the dynamics of our group of children and our ability to really listen, observe and learn about the children’s deeper interests and abilities. Let us walk alongside the children and join them in their journeys of wonder, play and curiosity. Join me 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!
Objectives:

Review Emergent Planning Practices
Identify Planning Strategies based on the Balanced Approach to Emergent Planning
Translating Observations to Playful Planning

Notes:

This workshop will be held online through the Zoom platform.
You will need access to a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer with audio capabilities to join us.
A link will be emailed to you in the days prior to the workshop. Please click the link ten minutes before the workshop begins to join in.
Certificates of participation will be available to registered participants.
All registered participants will have 30 days access to the webinar recording.

NEW! We Are Family! Building Stronger Connections with Families
2022-04-12 19:00 - 21:00 | Online!, Alberta, Canada
NEW! We Are Family! Building Stronger Connections with Families
Let’s talk about the other part of children…their family! Families come in all sizes, cultures and expectations – they are as diverse as the children we work with! As the child’s primary caregiver, it’s important that we demonstrate respect and value the child’s family as major contributors to a child’s growth and development. Let’s work together with families to create an amazing pathway of joyful learning for each child. This means we need to understand the families, their culture, their communication style and the information they give us about their child! Never underestimate the power of connecting with a child’s family. Let’s discover how we can build on our current practices to make stronger connections with our families…especially the ones that we struggle with! From communication, to respect and value, to inclusive practices, it’s all how we approach the families and connect with them. The children are watching all of us – let’s show them what positive relationships look like…and learn how to create those relationships with adults!
Objectives:

Identify the important roles families and educators play together in early childhood.
Discover family communication strategies that work.
Explore various ways to build an inclusive environment for all families to feel a sense of belonging.

Notes:

This workshop will be held online through the Zoom platform.
You will need access to a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer with audio capabilities to join us.
A link will be emailed to you in the days prior to the workshop. Please click the link ten minutes before the workshop begins to join in.
Certificates of participation will be available to registered participants.
All registered participants will have 30 days access to the webinar recording.

Reflections of Playful Learning: Enriching your Emergent Curriculum Approach
2022-04-19 19:00 - 21:00 | Online!, Alberta, Canada
Reflections of Playful Learning: Enriching your Emergent Curriculum Approach
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. We will discuss three main reflective documentation formats with you in this session; reflective planning, documentation boards and learning stories. 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 an joy in early childhood!
Objectives:

Review and identify the importance of reflective practices
Identify various ways to document reflection of children’s learning
Identify the core elements of reflective practices using reflective planning, documentation boards and learning stories

Notes:

This workshop will be held online through the Zoom platform.
You will need access to a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer with audio capabilities to join us.
A link will be emailed to you in the days prior to the workshop. Please click the link ten minutes before the workshop begins to join in.
Certificates of participation will be available to registered participants.
All registered participants will have 30 days access to the webinar recording.

Caring Connections!
2022-05-03 19:00 - 21:00 | Online!, Alberta, Canada
Caring Connections: Interactions that Matter
The comfort of an encouraging smile. The caring reassurance after a fight with a friend. The excitement of co-celebration as they discovery a new skill. How we interact with children has a huge impact on children’s growth and development, not only their social emotional development, but also in their abilities to problem solve, resolve conflict, and take risk because they feel safe! Children rely on positive, supportive and encouraging adults in their live to show them they are respected, safe and loved. This type of interaction doesn’t happen just by supervising, asking questions or giving direction. It comes from a deep connection between the adult and the child. A connection that takes time to build and takes intentional interactions. Let’s learn some strategies of how to build this connection with ALL children – from the ones we struggle with to the ones who love us the moment they come through our doors. Understanding what each child needs to feel a connection will help us establish that bond with each child and continue to see that relationship blossom. Connection is key!
Objectives:

Define and identify high quality interactions and why caring connections are important in early childhood environments.
Outline key benefits of establishing caring connections with each child.
Implement strategies that support caring connections.

Notes:

This workshop will be held online through the Zoom platform.
You will need access to a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer with audio capabilities to join us.
A link will be emailed to you in the days prior to the workshop. Please click the link ten minutes before the workshop begins to join in.
Certificates of participation will be available to registered participants.
All registered participants will have 30 days access to the webinar recording.

RESCHEDULED! Leadership Series: Leading with Advocacy
2022-05-10 19:00 - 21:00 | Online!, Alberta, Canada
RESCHEDULED To Tuesday, May 10th Due to an Emergency!
NEW! Leadership Series: Leading with Advocacy: Professionalism and Ethics for Early Childhood Leaders
Advocacy for the child care sector begins with you! As early childhood leaders, we must promote and maintain a sense of professionalism in what we do. This requires us to engage in deep and meaningful reflective practices in all that we do. These self-reflective practices include your knowledge and practices in best practices, ethical conduct, family engagement and reflection with your own policies and practices. Not only do we need to self-reflect as leaders, but we also need to engage our team in reflective practices. Together, we can create a sector of passionate, nurturing and caring educators who advocate together for high quality child care. Let’s take a look into how this can work for you and what steps you need to take to continue on your pathway as an early childhood leader, advocate and Protector of Play!
Objectives:

Define advocacy, professionalism, best practices and reflective practices
Practices for professionalism
Identify professional ethical conduct, morals and values
Establish self-reflective practices as leaders
Engage your team in professional and reflective practices

Notes:

This workshop will be held online through the Zoom platform.
You will need access to a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer with audio capabilities to join us.
A link will be emailed to you in the days prior to the workshop. Please click the link ten minutes before the workshop begins to join in.
Certificates of participation will be available to registered participants.
All registered participants will have 30 days access to the webinar recording.

Connecting Through Curriculum!
2022-05-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Online!, Alberta, Canada
Connecting Through Curriculum! Exploring Curriculum Inspired by Children
Are you looking to learn more about the Alberta FLIGHT Framework? Whether you’ve gone through the training or not, it can still be a little overwhelming switching to this approach to learning. FLIGHT not only introduces some new language to use (and to share with families), but also aims to change our mindset of how we view the image of the child and our own teaching practices. As co-learners in this journey of play with the children, we are able to build our connections with the children, their families and to our community. In this session, we will discuss some core foundations of FLIGHT, how to take comfort steps in implementation and how to extend your practices to provide a responsive and caring environment for young children. Whether you are just starting to spread your wings, or you have already tried a few flights, let’s expand our wings so we can fly further and discover new possibilities together!
Overview

Foundations to FLIGHT
Educator Mindset
Children as Mighty Learners
Responsive Environments

Notes:

This workshop will be held online through the Zoom platform.
You will need access to a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer with audio capabilities to join us.
A link will be emailed to you in the days prior to the workshop. Please click the link ten minutes before the workshop begins to join in.
Certificates of participation will be available to registered participants.
All registered participants will have 30 days access to the webinar recording.
Please note: Our Flight workshop is not approved for PD funding in Alberta, at this time, due to government restrictions on Flight trainings. All other IMECC workshops/webinars are approved for PD funding to eligible registrants.

Cultivating Creative Hearts & Minds
2022-05-24 19:00 - 21:00 | Online!, Alberta, Canada
Cultivating Creative Hearts & Minds: Open-Ended Art Experiences for Young Children
Creativity is intelligence having fun! Alberta Einstein had it right with his quote on creativity. Children are natural artists, as all their masterpieces are a visual representation of how they see the world around them. Let us foster this self expression through open-ended creative art experiences! For children, the focus on art is the process of creativity, not the end result. So, let’s provide an environment full of creative materials that allow children to enjoy the creative journey and show us their colorful world!
Objectives:

Define creativity and art
Differences between crafts and open-ended art
Identify the main categories of art experiences
Creative art activity ideas

Notes:

This workshop will be held online through the Zoom platform.
You will need access to a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer with audio capabilities to join us.
A link will be emailed to you in the days prior to the workshop. Please click the link ten minutes before the workshop begins to join in.
Certificates of participation will be available to registered participants.
All registered participants will have 30 days access to the webinar recording.

Mighty Transitions
2022-06-07 19:00 - 21:00 | Online!, Alberta, Canada
Mighty Transitions: Discovering Transitions that Work!
Oh, those transitions! From here to there and back again. They could be a time of chaos or a time of calm – which one do we plan for?! That’s right! Transitions can be calm, fun and effective if we intentionally plan for them! Planning goes a long way when it comes to helping children transition throughout the day through multiple types of transitions. And since not every strategy works with every child, we need a whole pocket full of ideas (or a backpack full). So, let’s get some ideas stashed away in our back pocket to pull out when we need them the most. During this session, we will brainstorm, practice, and play some unique transition ideas that will be sure to add some zen and some flavor to your transition times.
Objectives:

Identify key elements to mighty transitions
High quality practices for transitions
Transitional activities

Notes:

This workshop will be held online through the Zoom platform.
You will need access to a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer with audio capabilities to join us.
A link will be emailed to you in the days prior to the workshop. Please click the link ten minutes before the workshop begins to join in.
Certificates of participation will be available to registered participants.
All registered participants will have 30 days access to the webinar recording.

Protectors of Play Fun Walk
2022-06-12 10:00 - 14:00 | Capilano Park, Capilano Park Rd NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T6A 3R7, Canada
Here we go! Inspired Minds ECC is proud to announce our very first annual Protectors of Play Fun Walk on Sunday, June 12, 2022 at Capilano Park, Edmonton. Let’s get together for this 5km walk to support the children and families who need the amazing support and care that Kids Kottage provides. Early Childhood Educators make a difference! Please see the Event Details page for more information.

Inspired Minds ECC has been supporting early childhood educators, dayhome providers and early childhood organizations with their professional development needs, coaching and consulting services and bringing our community together for the last 7 years. As community connection is an important part of our values, we are excited to host an event that brings community together: Our First Annual Protectors of Play Fun Walk! This event is open to all early childhoood educators, their families and friends as a way to show support for a local organization, Kids Kottage Foundation, that supports children and families during times of toxic stress and trauma and provides a safe place for children.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER HERE

Kids Kottage Foundation is Edmonton and area’s only crisis prevention and intervention shelter for infants and children. When a family is under toxic levels of stress, whether it be from homelessness, the effects of poverty, mental or physical health barriers, abuse, or whatever the case – so are the children – they are the hidden victims. Kids Kottage’s mission is to ensure every infant and child is kept safe, and their families are provided with the resources they need to build a strong and resilient future. They operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year ensuring children’s basic needs are met, and connecting their caregivers with the resources they need. The Kottage helps the whole family, and fills the gaps in a family’s support system, caring for the children while adults are connected to the resources they need, strengthening their parenting capacity, and preventing the family from falling further into crisis.
Our Sponsors:

Leadership Workshop! Communicating with Families
2022-06-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Online!, Alberta, Canada
Communicating wit Families: Leadership Strategies to Connect with Families (for Early Childhood Leaders)
Families are an essential part of early childhood programs. Early Childhood leaders, owners and directors understand, value and respect what families bring to their program by creating a space that welcomes all families through connection and open communication. Just like every child is unique, every family is unique. Let’s learn from each other to build a strong foundation for children. From the initial contact, through their journey with us as their child grows, until the day we part – how we connect with each family matters. Sharing stories of their child with them, inviting them to family information events and connecting with them through empathy and understanding are just some of the ways we can build positive relationships with families. Join us as we discuss how to go beyond for families and help them feel a sense of belonging and a vital part of our team!
Objectives:

Welcoming Families to your Community
Respecting Family Diversity and Cultures
Policies and Procedures for Building Connections with Families
Overcoming Obstacles with Families

Notes:

This workshop will be held online through the Zoom platform.
You will need access to a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer with audio capabilities to join us.
A link will be emailed to you in the days prior to the workshop. Please click the link ten minutes before the workshop begins to join in.
Certificates of participation will be available to registered participants.
All registered participants will have 30 days access to the webinar recording.

Outdoor Fun for Everyone!
2022-06-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Online!, Alberta, Canada
Outdoor Fun for Everyone! Igniting Passion for Outdoor Play
Let’s Get Outside and Play! We just don’t seem to hear or see that too much anymore. What happened to connecting with the world around us in a hands-on way, instead of looking at it on a screen? Do you know the names of local flora and fauna? Can you identify a variety of insects? Have you ever built rock towers or dragged a huge branch around? Let’s go back to our roots and help children connect with the outdoor world around them. Together we will identify the importance of being outside, how it stimulates growth and learning, and how it’s the natural playscape of early childhood. Let’s get children connected to the natural world, discover safety in our communities and develop a sense of curiosity and respect for our Earth and each other.
Objectives:

Understanding the ‘Why’ for Promoting Outdoor Play Experiences
Creating a Responsive Outdoor Play Environment
Planning for the Seasons of Outdoor Play

Notes:

This workshop will be held online through the Zoom platform.
You will need access to a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer with audio capabilities to join us.
A link will be emailed to you in the days prior to the workshop. Please click the link ten minutes before the workshop begins to join in.
Certificates of participation will be available to registered participants.
All registered participants will have 30 days access to the webinar recording.

Adventures of Play: Exploring Risky Play
2022-06-28 19:00 - 21:00 | Online!, Alberta, Canada
Adventures of Play: Exploring Risky Play
Taking risk is a necessary part of play. It’s part of how children assess what they can do, what challenges them and what to leave until a later date to try. However, many of us face obstacles, barriers and reluctance to accept this into children’s play. Join me as we discuss what risky play is, how it promotes development and how to overcome those barriers and obstacles. Let’s take a look at all the different levels of risk children engage in during their play and how we can help provide an environment that allows children to explore naturally – with risk!
Objectives:

Defining Risky Play / Adventurous Play
Developmentally Appropriate Practices with Risky Play
Facilitating Risky Play

Notes:

This workshop will be held online through the Zoom platform.
You will need access to a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer with audio capabilities to join us.
A link will be emailed to you in the days prior to the workshop. Please click the link ten minutes before the workshop begins to join in.
Certificates of participation will be available to registered participants.
All registered participants will have 30 days access to the webinar recording.

The Magic of Loose Parts: Promoting Play with Loose Parts
2022-09-06 19:00 - 21:00 | Alberta, Canada
Loose Parts! The possibilities are endless when we provide an arrange of loose parts (open-ended) materials for children to explore. Remember the possibilities of a cardboard box?! Was it a den? A space ship? Or a 3D canvas to paint and draw on? The possibilities are endless! Join me as we learn the advantages of including loose parts in your early learning environment and how to promote creativity and adventure with children through loose parts. True play and imagination really shine when we add these valuable materials to our classrooms – the learning opportunities are endless! The experiences and memories are priceless!
Objectives:

Exploring the Importance of Loose Parts
Strategies to Managing Loose Parts
Creating Invitations & Provocations with Loose Parts

Notes:

This workshop will be held online through the Zoom platform.
You will need access to a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer with audio capabilities to join us.
A link will be emailed to you 24 hours prior to the workshop. Please click the link 10 minutes before the workshop begins to join in.
Certificate of participation will be available to registered participants.
All registered participants will have 30 days access to the webinar recording.
E-transfers to be sent to tina@inspiredmindsecc.ca
Registration closes 24 hours in advance!

The Me, The You, The We: Facilitating Social Emotional Learning
2022-09-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Alberta, Canada
Feelings! Feelings! And more Feelings! The everyday struggles of identifying and understanding big emotions is a tough gig for young children. It’s all so hard! But with the right positive supports and environment, children can thrive and build those skills required to manage these big emotions. SEL, Social Emotional Learning, is all about understanding the self and then understanding others to be a positive member of our community. Let’s get together and learn how we can provide a place of vitality so every child can build the skills needed in SEL!
Objectives:

Define social emotional learning
Identify importance of SEL
Review strategies to promote each component in SEL

Notes:

This workshop will be held online through the Zoom platform.
You will need access to a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer with audio capabilities to join us.
A link will be emailed to you 24 hours prior to the workshop. Please click the link 10 minutes before the workshop begins to join in.
Certificate of participation will be available to registered participants.
All registered participants will have 30 days access to the webinar recording.
E-transfers to be sent to tina@inspiredmindsecc.ca
Registration closes 24 hours in advance!

Wonderful World of STEM: Exploration and Discovery through STEM
2022-10-11 19:00 - 21:00 | Alberta, Canada
STEM – Science, Technology, engineering and Math; STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math; STREAM – Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts and Math. No matter which acronym you use, STEM activities are bound to be a hit with children as they encourage problem solving, exploration, creativity, discovery, trial and error and collaboration! Children are naturally curious and want to try things out to see what happens. So, it’s up to us to provide these rich, playful learning opportunities to build on this natural instinct to explore and learn. Let them take the reigns on these activities as we take a step back and move away from teacher demonstrations to child led explorations!
Objectives:

Identify STEM and best practices for engaging children in STEM
Learn how to include literacy and the arts in STEM
Identify STEM activity ideas; planning, provocations & resources
Examine reflections on learning with children

Notes:

This workshop will be held online through the Zoom platform.
You will need access to a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer with audio capabilities to join us.
A link will be emailed to you 24 hours prior to the workshop. Please click the link 10 minutes before the workshop begins to join in.
Certificate of participation will be available to registered participants.
All registered participants will have 30 days access to the webinar recording.
E-transfers to be sent to tina@inspiredmindsecc.ca
Registration closes 24 hours in advance!

From Crying to Smiling: Understanding Children's Behaviours
2022-10-18 19:00 - 21:00 | Alberta, Canada
Ever wonder WHY some children react in ways we just don’t understand? The screaming, biting and hitting came from no where! When a seemingly small situation throws them right into a major meltdown. Feeling like you’re at a standstill of what to do next? Well, then this webinar is for you! Join us as we discuss the why’s behind children’s difficult and challenging behaviors and how we can support them during these difficult moments. Learn what happens in a child’s brain when the are dysregulated and take away some tools that can help you bring them to a responsive state of mind. It’s not easy sometimes…but YOU are the one who can make a difference. YOU can help them move from reacting to responding by making meaningful connections and adding some great activities and strategies that everyone can use!
Objectives:

Identifying Behaviour as Communication
Trauma and Behaviours
Impact of Environment on Behaviour
Strategies for Positive Supports

Notes:

This workshop will be held online through the Zoom platform.
You will need access to a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer with audio capabilities to join us.
A link will be emailed to you 24 hours prior to the workshop. Please click the link 10 minutes before the workshop begins to join in.
Certificate of participation will be available to registered participants.
All registered participants will have 30 days access to the webinar recording.
E-transfers to be sent to tina@inspiredmindsecc.ca
Registration closes 24 hours in advance!

The Daily Struggle: Facilitating Conflict Resolution
2022-10-25 19:00 - 21:00 | Alberta, Canada
Conflict is something that we all experience on a daily basis. We all have our own perceptions and experiences and opinions, and with children…these opinions can get very vocal! It’s up to us, the adults in their lives, to facilitate how to resolve conflicts constructively so that our children can grow into success problem solvers and engage in healthy conflicts! It’s not an overnight process, but with positive supports, children will start to understand different perspectives and understand how to resolve conflicts in a healthy manner. Let’s help them on this journey of success and understanding!
Objectives:

Establish the ‘why’ to conflict resolution
Discuss the learning behind conflict
Strategies to prepare for conflict resolution
Identifying steps & strategies to facilitate conflict resolution

Notes:

This workshop will be held online through the Zoom platform.
You will need access to a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer with audio capabilities to join us.
A link will be emailed to you 24 hours prior to the workshop. Please click the link 10 minutes before the workshop begins to join in.
Certificate of participation will be available to registered participants.
All registered participants will have 30 days access to the webinar recording.
E-transfers to be sent to tina@inspiredmindsecc.ca
Registration closes 24 hours in advance!

Caring Connections: Interactions that Matter
2022-11-01 19:00 - 21:00 | Alberta, Canada
The comfort of an encouraging smile. The caring reassurance after a fight with a friend. The excitement of co-celebration as they discovery a new skill. How we interact with children has a huge impact on children’s growth and development, not only their social emotional development, but also in their abilities to problem solve, resolve conflict, and take risk because they feel safe! Children rely on positive, supportive and encouraging adults in their live to show them they are respected, safe and loved. This type of interaction doesn’t happen just by supervising, asking questions or giving direction. It comes from a deep connection between the adult and the child. A connection that takes time to build and takes intentional interactions. Let’s learn some strategies of how to build this connection with ALL children – from the ones we struggle with to the ones who love us the moment they come through our doors. Understanding what each child needs to feel a connection will help us establish that bond with each child and continue to see that relationship blossom. Connection is key!
Objectives:

Define and identify high quality interactions and why caring connections are important in early childhood environments.
Outline key benefits of establishing caring connections with each child.
Implement strategies that support caring connections.

Notes:

This workshop will be held online through the Zoom platform.
You will need access to a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer with audio capabilities to join us.
A link will be emailed to you 24 hours prior to the workshop. Please click the link 10 minutes before the workshop begins to join in.
Certificate of participation will be available to registered participants.
All registered participants will have 30 days access to the webinar recording.
E-transfers to be sent to tina@inspiredmindsecc.ca
Registration closes 24 hours in advance!

Observing Play with Intent: Enriching your Emergent Curriculum Approach
2022-11-08 19:00 - 21:00 | Alberta, Canada
Ever take the time to sit back and simply observe children playing? The conversations they have, even by themselves. The curiosity they show when they are exploring something new. The expressions of satisfaction when they are deep in thought in play and when they reach a personal goal. These observations of play tell us so much about the children’s perspective and learning journey, that we need to write this down and capture it! There are so many discoveries and ‘ah-ha’ moments throughout the day that it’s sometimes difficult for us to figure out what to write down though. So let’s learn together as we discuss strategies of intentional observations and practice how to conduct intentional observations that assist us in enriching our environment by implementing the emergent curriculum approach.
Objectives:

Identify the roots to emergent curriculum approach
Review tips and tricks for effective observations
Implement strategies to improve observation techniques

Notes:

This workshop will be held online through the Zoom platform.
You will need access to a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer with audio capabilities to join us.
A link will be emailed to you 24 hours prior to the workshop. Please click the link 10 minutes before the workshop begins to join in.
Certificate of participation will be available to registered participants.
All registered participants will have 30 days access to the webinar recording.
E-transfers to be sent to tina@inspiredmindsecc.ca
Registration closes 24 hours in advance!

Playful Planning: Enriching your Emergent Curriculum Approach
2022-11-22 19:00 - 21:00 | Alberta, Canada
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. To achieve this, one of the most popular and best approaches is the emergent curriculum approach. This approach let’s 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 compliment or extend on these interests. Being intentional on how we prepare a responsive environment is a key element to emergent planning. How we plan activities, play experiences, provocations and invitations and make changes to our environment all depends on the dynamics of our group of children and our ability to really listen, observe and learn about the children’s deeper interests and abilities. Let us walk alongside the children and join them in their journeys of wonder, play and curiosity. Join me 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!
Objectives:

Review Emergent Planning Practices
Identify Planning Strategies based on the Balanced Approach to Emergent Planning
Translating Observations to Playful Planning

Notes:

This workshop will be held online through the Zoom platform.
You will need access to a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer with audio capabilities to join us.
A link will be emailed to you 24 hours prior to the workshop. Please click the link 10 minutes before the workshop begins to join in.
Certificate of participation will be available to registered participants.
All registered participants will have 30 days access to the webinar recording.
E-transfers to be sent to tina@inspiredmindsecc.ca
Registration closes 24 hours in advance!

Cultivating Creative Hearts & Minds: Open-Ended Art Experiences for Young Children
2022-11-24 19:00 - 21:00 | Alberta, Canada
Creativity is intelligence having fun! Alberta Einstein had it right with his quote on creativity. Children are natural artists, as all their masterpieces are a visual representation of how they see the world around them. Let us foster this self expression through open-ended creative art experiences! For children, the focus on art is the process of creativity, not the end result. So, let’s provide an environment full of creative materials that allow children to enjoy the creative journey and show us their colorful world!
Objectives:

Define creativity and art
Differences between crafts and open-ended art
Identify the main categories of art experiences
Creative art activity ideas

Notes:

This workshop will be held online through the Zoom platform.
You will need access to a smartphone, laptop, tablet or computer with audio capabilities to join us.
A link will be emailed to you 24 hours prior to the workshop. Please click the link 10 minutes before the workshop begins to join in.
Certificate of participation will be available to registered participants.
All registered participants will have 30 days access to the webinar recording.
E-transfers to be sent to tina@inspiredmindsecc.ca
Registration closes 24 hours in advance!
