Indigenous Canada is a 12-lesson Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) from the Faculty of Native Studies that explores the different histories and contemporary perspectives of Indigenous peoples living in Canada.

From an Indigenous perspective, this course explores complex experiences Indigenous peoples face today from a historical and critical perspective highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations.

Topics for the 12 lessons include the fur trade and other exchange relationships, land claims and environmental impacts, legal systems and rights, political conflicts and alliances, Indigenous political activism, and contemporary Indigenous life, art and its expressions.

​Red Deer Child Care Society, the Wichinahin Kohopikiwan “Helping me Grow” playschool program is offering us the opportunity to take a program tour and learn about what they have to offer children and families with Indigenous heritage.

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This unique Centre offers  programming for families of children from infancy, & preschool services to children between the ages of 19 months and 5 years

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Program Director, Yvonne will share with us the value of including First Nation, Inuit, and Metis languages into the daily curriculum programming, and how some of these program practices can be organically implemented.

We will discuss what activities educators should not do, if they are not Indigenous themselves – like ceremonies that they should ask an elder to do, and the protocol for such requests, along the importance of connecting with and learning from the greater community.

The intention behind this workshop, is to provide an opportunity for our educators to learn  how to develop a culturally inclusive program, with intentionality around First Nation, Inuit, and Métis ways of knowing.

All educators can build up the concept of inclusiveness - that we are all unique and have value to our community. This is demonstrated by the educators creating non-discriminatory and inclusive environments where diversity is embraced and each child feels safe, respected, and cared for.

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Following the workshop presentation, all who attend will be invited to participate in a beading session, where you will learn to make your own beaded earrings or pendant.

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Come together to share ideas and strategies on crafting homemade toys and discussing ECE theories, like Waldorf and its relationship in the modern world.

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Rudolf Steiner, the founder of Waldorf education, suggested that children’s playthings should be largely unformed in order to encourage the imagination of the young child—to cultivate their “inner picturing” abilities.

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You will have time to create some of your own dolls and ribbon wands, to bring back to you program the next day and start using with the children. 

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All craft supplies will be provided by the day home agency.

With the support of the Government of Alberta and in partnership with the Palix Foundation, the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Alberta (AECEA) is excited to provide ECEs with an opportunity for continued professional learning on the scientific underpinnings of early brain development and the important role ECEs play in brain development in the early years. The professional learning will be free to take and ECEs will be reimbursed for their time spent learning.

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The Alberta Family Wellness Initiative (AFWI) has developed an online course to make Brain Story science available to professionals and the public. Brain Story Certification is designed for those seeking a deeper understanding of brain development and its consequences for lifelong health. The course is also designed for professionals seeking certification in a wide range of fields. 

The Early Learning and Child Care Regulation specifies the minimum standards to be upheld by all licensed day care, group family child care, out of school care and preschool programs. These regulations include requirements such as health, safety of children, quality of care, and supervision of children. The Early Learning and Child Care Act provides the authority to license, inspect and monitor child care programs.

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Within these are the Principles and Matters to be Considered. These must be imbedded into the Agency policy and program plan which is in turn reviewed and shared with the day home educators. 

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Join us in reviewing these important documents over snacks and tea, and take time to reconnect with one another this fall.

Aynsley has been working with children with behaviour challenges since she graduated from University in 2009. She holds two degrees, a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a Graduate degree in Human Ecology, specializing in Family Ecology and Practice. 

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This series will cover:

• The Behaviour Wayfinding Framework (an assessment tool that allows ECE's to develop common language, concepts and strategies to provide positive behaviour supports for children of all ages and abilities);

• How risky and outdoor play can reduce challenging behaviors, and how the Behaviour Wayfinding Framework can be used to assess and implement strategies; and

• How to connect with and work with families while navigating the Behaviour Wayfinding Framework.

Come together to talk about the differences between crafts and open-ended art, and explore your own creativity and comfort level with open-ended art projects.

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Children are natural artists, as all their masterpieces are a visual representation of how they see the world around them. For children, the focus on art is the process of creativity, not the end result. Where a craft is typically focused on the end result, or product that is created.

You will have time to play with your own creativity and explore art process, so that you can bring your experience back to your program the next day and start using it with the children.

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All craft supplies will be provided by the day home agency.

The Alberta Resource Centre for Quality Enhancement (ARCQE) offers accessible programming to the Early Learning and Care Service sector, helping professionals deliver quality practices that support community, children and families.

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Are you curious about where to start and how to align Flight with current educator practice and interactions with children? As a provincial support agency, ARCQE has been awarded a contract to guide curriculum implementation support for all licensed program types (Child Care, Family Child Care, Out of School Care, program and Preschool programs) with a variety of options to support engagement with curriculum concepts.

ARCQE is pleased to share news of expanding opportunities for support with implementation of Flight framework principles in practice. To learn more about pedagogical partner support and the new professional learning series available titled “Possibilities for Practice”.

​Child care specialists (aka child care licensing officers) come from a variety of backgrounds, including family studies and early childhood education.

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Licensing staff monitor the agency and its educators to ensure that standards are met and that complaints and incidents are properly investigated. Licensing staff monitor an agency's performance by reviewing the operations, activities, records, and the care in program homes according to these standards.

Licensing staff are also available for consultation to agencies who are considering applying for a license or licensed agencies who request support to improve the quality of their programming. 

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Join us and our licensing officers in an informal meet-and-greet to learn more about them. Come prepared with questions that you have about the licensing process!

Come together to share ideas and strategies on oral storytelling, story walks, and leading a circle time.

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Language and literacy is crucial in early childhood development for several reasons including; brain development, social integration, building of relationships and supporting cultural identity which connects to community and fosters a sense of identity.

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You will have time to create some of your own felt boards and story rocks, to bring back to you program the next day and start using with the children. 

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All craft supplies will be provided by the day home agency.