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Celebration! Appreciation! Education! A Conference for EarlyON Practitioners

Toronto Children’s Services is pleased to invite EarlyON staff to join us for a day of connection, joy, celebration, and learning. This conference will bring us together to recognize and celebrate all of your hard work and the positive impact EarlyON programs have on children and families across the city.  There are a wide range of workshop options to choose from and a chance to connect with old friends and new. A light breakfast, full lunch, and snacks are included. There will also be raffle prizes, information tables and lots of goodies to take home.

CONFERENCE DETAILS

Date: Monday June 5, 2023

Time: 8:15am - 4:15pm

Cost: No cost for this conference

Location: BMO Institute for Learning

3550 Pharmacy Avenue, 
Scarborough, ON M1W 3Z3

This conference is open to all full-time, part-time, and casual (relief) staff currently working in an EarlyON program in the City of Toronto. Program level staff are prioritized for registration, we ask that Supervisors and Managers who are not regularly working in program register after May 12th.

 

Food: all meals are halal; gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan options are also included. Please indicate any allergies or additional dietary requirements.. Please indicate any allergies or additional dietary requirements by email to citywidetraining@humber.ca with the subject line: EarlyON Conference- dietary requirements

Accessibility: The BMO Institute for Learning is a fully accessible space with one all-gender washroom. Please indicate any specific supports required. Please indicate any specific supports required by email to citywidetraining@humber.ca with the subject line: EarlyON Conference- accessibility.

Health and Safety:  This conference will be a mask friendly environment and participants personal masking choices will be respected. Please stay home or wear a mask if you are feeling unwell.

Overview of the Day

8:15am - Registration & Breakfast

8:45am -Welcome and Opening with Indigenous Elder Dorothy Peters

9:15am -Keynote – Natalie Royer, Saroy Group

10:30am - Morning Workshops

  1. Positive Black Racial Socialization as Foundational to Early Childhood Development

  2. Facing Adversity: What Infants and Young Children Need to Thrive

  3. ’Safe’ Spaces. Exploring the Concept of Belonging in a Trauma Informed Way

  4. 2SLGBTQ+ Families: Exploring Myths & Realities

  5. Using Rhymes to Connect, Engage and Educate

  6. Service Navigation for Children with Extra Support Needs - Special Considerations for Families Infants and Young Children

  7. Validation: A Tool for Building an Emotional Landscape

  8. A Grab Bag of Ideas for Engaging Groups

  9. Mindfulness, Meditation, and Tapping for Adults and Children

  10. Kaminaajaanaanik Binoojiiyik - Honouring Our Children

  11.  

12:00/12:15pm - Lunch and Networking

1:15pm - Tabletop Exercise & Celebration

2:15pm - Afternoon Refreshments

2:30pm - Afternoon Workshops

  1. Parents Mental Health in the First Year After Baby

  2. What to do when a Queer Mama Bear Comes to your EarlyON: One Parent's Story of Advocating for Inclusion and Diversity at an EarlyON

  3. Listen to Non-Speakers: Autistic Adults Using Alternative Communication Systems to Share Their Experiences and Insights

  4. Remember, Reflect, Change, and Maintain: These are the People in Your Neighbourhood! A look at How EarlyON staff are important Community Helpers

  5. Jordan's Principle Service Coordination

  6. Intersectionality and Inclusion Within Family Support Programs: A Focus on Gender and Ability

  7. Talking about Sexual Health in Early ON: Supporting Young Children's Gender, Safety and Sexual Health

  8. Indigenous Motherhood: How to Ensure Greater Inclusion

4:15pm - Conference ends

portrait of Stuart Shanker

Keynote - Natalie Royer, Belonging Consultant, Saroy Group

Can't we all just belong? The need for belonging, love and compassion.

In this session, participants will reflect on why feeling a sense of belonging is an irreducible need. Participants will learn the meaning of belonging and the main pillars in creating spaces of belonging in their work and practice. We will explore belonging as the goal and potential outcomes using an equity, diversity and inclusion lens while leading with love and compassion.

Natalie Royer is a belonging consultant, speaker and coach at Saroy Group Inc. In 2017, she founded Saroy Group Inc. when she realized there was a lack of Black consultants, trainers and keynote speakers in Canada. Her work started in the healthcare sector before moving into education.

She has an M.A. in Early Childhood Studies from Toronto Metropolitan University and has taught in higher education for over 10 years. Also, Natalie holds a certificate in Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace (PHSW) from York University and a certificate in coaching and mentoring teams from the Schulich School of Business. Her background in both education and corporate culture help her to support companies and non-profit organizations on cultivating spaces of belonging using an equity, diversity and inclusion lens while leading with love and compassion.

 

Morning Workshops 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Presented by: Dr. Beverly-Jean Daniel, Fikir Hale, Raliat Owolabi, Shayvon Gardner

Black children continue to represent an increasing demographic within all levels of schooling, including early childhood environments. We as educators, researchers and parents of Black children remain aware of the ongoing racial challenges that our children experience in school settings. However, research has clearly underscored the role of positive racial socialization as a core skill and experience that supports Black children in effectively navigating systems of schooling. This discussion will discuss and highlight strategies that can be employed in early childhood environments to foster positive Black racial identity socialization given the direct connections to academic resilience. Early education spaces set the foundation for a child’s success in life, therefore this research can support early years staff in understanding the key role that their interactions and behaviours play in supporting the development of a solid life pathway for children. Participants will:

  1. Develop an enhanced understanding of the links between racial identity and child development.

  2. Be exposed to the current literature on racial identity socialization.

  3. Explore concrete strategies for supporting positive racial identity socialization amongst children.

Presented by: Nicole Tuzi, Infant and Early Mental Health Program, SickKids

In this session, participants will become more familiar with key concepts in infant and early mental health and begin to understand the impact that early adversity and trauma have on a child's overall development.  Participants will discuss what steps to take when more intensive services may be needed and learn what all practitioners can do to support a child and family who have experienced trauma.

 Presented by: Tasha Kerr, Rachel Brophy

In this session we will talk about how we understand concepts of safety and belonging, and what they mean in community-based programs.  We will challenge some of our assumptions as we explore these ideas in a trauma informed way and think about how our perceptions impact our relationships with families. Attendees will leave with:

  1. Trauma informed strategies that will support their work with families in EarlyON settings and help families to feel an increased sense of belonging.

  2. New understandings about the concepts of safety and belonging and their correlation to anti-racism & anti-oppression from a trauma informed lens.

  3. A comprehensive workbook which will support a continued commitment to families and community.

Presented by: Rachel Epstein, PHD

The biggest challenge in working towards 2SLGBTQ+ inclusivity is the need to get comfortable, to confront any negative early beliefs, we may have learned about 2SLGBTQ+ people, and to develop an ease in approaching the topics of gender, sexuality and family structure.

Part of this process involves reflecting on your earliest beliefs about 2SLGBTQ+ people and, often, a willingness to challenge these beliefs. Our ideas about people who are different from us come from many places, such as family, religion, school, peers, and the media.

2SLGBTQ+ families are also confronted by assumptions about what families are supposed to look like and what is considered “normal.”  Underlying these assumptions are a set of commonly held ideas about the negative impact on children who grow up in 2SLGBTQ+ families. This workshop will explore myths and realities related to 2SLGBTQ+ families and aims to increase participant’s ability to work comfortably with children, parents and caregivers from 2SLGBTQ+ families. Attendees will:

  1. Explore early beliefs about 2SLGBTQ+ people

  2. Identify and learn how to respond to commonly held negative ideas about 2SLGBTQ+ families

  3. Learn about the diversity of 2SLGBTQ+ family configurations

Presented by: Saira Remtulla, ConnectED

The presentation begins with a rhyme to set the tone of the session, and to get our educators out of their comfort zone (we grow when we are uncomfortable). This is followed by a quick review on brain development and how children learn. Next, we learn how the ConnectED Start Method supports the How Does Learning Happen Document. This is followed by another engaging rhyme about emotions. Next, we share the benefits of using rhymes and developing oral language. The session ends with another rhyme and a summary of the benefits of using the ConnectED Start Method.

LEARNING GOALS of the Session: 

  1. Learn 3 engaging rhymes (themes address land acknowledgement and emotions)

  2. Learn how to eliminate difficult behaviours, especially during transitions and how this will decrease educator stress and benefit well-being.

  3. Feel confident and inspired to connect and engage with students on a deeper level.

  4. Understand how using intentional rhymes can benefit our students, academically.

Presented by: Kim Clarke, CityKids

Supporting families of young children with extra support needs to navigate complex service systems promote child and family outcomes.  This presentation will describe the ECB-funded CityKids programme and its service navigation role within the system for young children with extra support needs in Toronto.   The workshop will explore the foundations for service navigation for families of infants and young children with extra support needs, including an understanding of grief responses, trauma- informed practice, and the importance of building trusting relationships with families. A stages of readiness framework will be presented to increase workshop participants’ confidence in understanding parent readiness for sensitive conversations and recommendations for programs and services.  A case scenario will be used to

  1. increase participants’ empathy for parents whose infants/young children have been identified with extra support needs;

  2. enhance participants’ confidence in applying a stages of readiness framework when having sensitive conversations with families whose children have extra support needs;

  3. increase participants' knowledge of key service providers for children with extra support needs and their referral/intake processes.

Presented by: Trina Rosenzweig & Amanda Penner, SickKids

This interactive workshop opens up space for dialogue and sharing of how to create an environment that fosters emotional development. Specifically, we will explore how the practice of validation can contribute to building positive and supportive environments for young children.

Growing a well-developed emotional self is a vital part of a child’s development. For children, building the capacity to withstand and to express big emotions often happens through relationships with caregivers and professionals. How can EarlyON Practitioners and caregivers create and attend to the wide array of emotions that children go through, even when big emotions result in challenging behaviours? How do we create environments in which children can explore and navigate their emotional selves, and in turn, build a landscape in which all emotions are welcome? 

In this interactive workshop, you will: 

  1. reflect on the current emotional landscape of your EarlyON programs; identify what is working and areas of potential growth 

  2. gain a deeper understanding of how to use validation to support emotional development in young children 

  3. have opportunities to practice skills of validation and discuss the merits and challenges of implementing validation in group settings. 

  4. learn how to support parents and caregivers in using validation with their children.

Presented by: Bina Kalaria & Cindy Da Costa, Toronto Public Health Reproductive and Early Years Team

Have you been thinking of running a group for your program participants and wondering where to start? This session will help EarlyON staff take their incredible knowledge of supportive 1:1 conversations and expand it to facilitating effective group sessions.

This session is delivered by Toronto Public Health Nurses and will cover a variety of facilitation strategies that can be used to increase group participant's engagement.  Workshop attendees will be provided with an opportunity to experience a range of interactive activities, reflect on their use, and explore application ideas. 

EarlyON staff will walk away with a grab bag of fun and engaging group activities and concepts that build participation and learning.

Attendees will learn how to:

-use fun activities to warm up a group

-build connections between group members

-create a safe and open space that fosters discussion and participation

-apply Adult Learning principles for more effective knowledge transfer

Presented by: Lisa Mitchell

Practice self-care and promote self-care in children. Adaptable exercises in Mindfulness, Meditation, and Tapping to help calm the mind and body during times of anxiety, transitions, and big feelings.

- Learn Mindfulness basics for adults and children.

- Practice Meditations and learn to adapt template meditations to your specific needs.

- Learn the practice of Tapping on yourself and how to teach children using props.

- Engage in a Mindfulness exercise that you and children can practice during mealtime

Presented by: Cynthia Bell-Clayton

Educators will learn how to include an indigenous language into their classroom or programming. Educators will learn through the Odawa/Ojibwe dialect:

- how to use the double vowel system,

- how to prepare language resources for children,

- 2 songs that can be shared with children,

- create representation resources for the classroom that creates an Indigenous inclusive environment.

Afternoon Workshops 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Presented by: Toronto Public Health PostNatal Team

What are Postpartum Mood Disorders? We will look at how common they are, what impact they have, risk factors in developing them, signs and symptoms.

Support for families struggling with mood - Toronto Public Health Perinatal Adjustment program: what is it and how to refer.

Presented by: Danielle Sutherland

As new parent, knowing how to access services and support is daunting enough, but add in being queer and Indigenous takes that anxiety to a new, frightening level. Join us in this interactive workshop that utilizes storytelling and resource-sharing to discuss one family's journey in advocating for inclusive spaces in an EarlyON environment. Participants will hear:

  • Ways in which a parent was able to advocate for inclusivity, specifically within an EarlyON environment

  • What the EarlyON did to provide a family with a greater sense of support and reassurance

  • What other EarlyON spaces can do to ensure families who are both 2SLGBTQ+ and Indigenous feel welcomed into their EarlyON spaces

Presented by: Isaiah Grewal & Isaac Wong

Isaiah and Isaac will share their experiences of growing up without speech and being presumed incompetent in early childhood programs, school, and developmental services. This presentation will address:

- what I wish my family, teachers, supporters and service providers had understood in my childhood and youth

- how apraxia operates in my life and what helps

- autistic play in children

- Q & A will follow presentations.

Presented by: Nicole Cummings-Morgan, W1derus

This workshop will build on the old adage that the people in our neighbourhoods and communities are the ones who make things better for everyone. While there are some who protect people from fires and crimes there are some who impart a pedagogical experience that will promote positive early learning development. This workshop will aim to remind EarlyON staff of how important they are to the people they meet and greet each day.

Through a model created by Nicole, of W1derus Educational Workshops, participants will:

  1. Remember WHY they became ECES and WHY they chose to be in an EarlyON space.

  2. Reflect on how Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are a part of their everyday interactions with families they meet once or with families they build long term relationships with.

  3. Change how they see their practice and change how they interact with the children, families and other staff.

  4. And then Maintain that change. Remembering, Reflecting and Changing doesn't mean much if the change isn't maintained.

Presented by: Miryan Rutledge,Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre

How can Service Coordinators support families and caregivers in ensuring that First Nation children and youths unmet needs are met in social, education, health and culture.

Firstly, coordinators must understand the life of Jordan River Anderson to see why it is essential that the children's needs are met and not get caught in jurisdictional disputes that prevent access to services, supports and products. 

Every request the Ontario Region Jordan’s Principle office receives will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. There are no lists of what items, products or services can be requested. One must understand that Jordan's Principle is a legal ruling, not a federally created program such as the Non-Insured Health Benefits.

First Nation children can access Jordan's Principle from birth until their 18th birthday. If a child does not have status, but one of the parents is status, they are eligible for Jordan's Principle Support. At Toronto Council Fire, we use a medicine wheel tool to assist parents or caregivers in assessing their children's needs.

This workshop will cover:

  • Eligibility criteria for Jordans Principle

  • Circle of Care

  • Support Letter writing

  • Review the Medicine Wheel Tool to assess the needs of children and youth.

  • How to fill out the Request Forms and Financial Forms

  • Consent Forms

Presented by: Bernice Cipparrone-McLeod, & Shailja Jain

Established on a proud history of authentic collaboration between staff, family, and community partners, EarlyOn programs facilitate a sense of belonging, promote optimal growth and act as an incredible resource for families, especially when conceptualizing inclusion within ECEC. To enable inclusive culturally safe environments, practitioners need to embrace the social and cultural identities of the families they serve. Family members are defined by the families themselves including those who may live within the same household or not, it may also include caregivers and other support systems. Deepening their knowledge and their self-awareness, and skill sets is essential to respond to the intersectionality of the family’s social and cultural identities. Specifically, what does this mean for practitioners?

This workshop will focus on building capacity for practitioners to embrace the social and cultural aspects of identity. Specifically, we will engage participants in discussions related to gender expansiveness, trans inclusion and differing abilities. We will use an anti-racist and anti-oppressive framework to guide these discussions. Participants will have the opportunity to explore case studies related to practice and build strategies to better support the family as a whole, appreciating the complexities of their daily lives.

Participants will….

-explore intersectionality and the different social aspects of identity that inform their work with children and families.

-conceptualize what affirmation of identity looks like in the child and family support programs

-build capacity through case study discussions in relation to their own practice.

Presented by: Toronto Public Health Sexual Health Promotion Team

In this workshop, Toronto Public Health’s Sexual Health Promoters will deliver an interactive workshop to increase the capacity of EarlyOn practitioners’ ability to support the sexual health of young children. This workshop will support staff in being role models and “askable adults” to the children, parents, and guardians who attend EarlyOn programming.

During this workshop, participants will: 

- Reflect on the messages they received about sexual health when growing up

- Learn that sexual health is not just about sex, but includes things like healthy relationships, how we talk about body parts, appropriate behaviour and sexual abuse prevention

- Learn how to create a supportive environment for gender inclusive play and gender diverse families and children.

- Practice answering children’s questions around sexual health

- Increase EarlyOn practitioner comfort when responding to parents’ questions and concerns around sexual health

Presented by: Lindsay (Swooping Hawk) Kretschmer

Please join Lindsay as she shares her knowledge as her experiences as an Indigenous teen mom navigating the social services sector. Lindsay is a mom to 2 adult children and a 7-year-old. She will share her insights on Indigenous motherhood and the ways in which services can innovate for greater inclusion of the distinct experiences of Indigenous parents. Learners will develop a greater awareness of Indigenous concepts of motherhood, the ways in which services must transform for greater inclusion and learners will leave inspired to lead systems change at a human level.

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