With ECCDC Training Team

The Exploring Inclusion four-part series will offer opportunities for educators to explore tools and resources through case studies while considering their daily inclusive practices to support children within their early learning and child care programs. Educators are strongly encouraged to attend all four sessions as the series has been created to build upon each session.

Session 1: Educator Self-Reflection and Self-Awareness - Tuesday February 11, 2025
During the first session educators will have an opportunity to utilize the practice of self-reflection to understand how their actions within the early learning and child care program can impact both their own development and the development of the children in their care. Various interactive and hands-on experiences will be explored to support developing educators’ self-awareness of their expectations. Participants will have an opportunity to consider strategies and techniques that support their development and those of the children in their care to move forward in navigating next steps of their learning journey with resiliency and empathy.

Session 2: Reflecting on Inclusive Practices Utilizing the Program Inclusion Reflection Tool - Tuesday March 18, 2025
Following on from session one’s self-reflection, participants will consider how to use the Inclusive Program Reflection Tool of what do they see through the eyes of the child and how utilizing an inclusive approach supports children’s behaviour and development. An opportunity will be provided to breakdown the tool and reflect upon how they can use it within their own programs moving forward.

Session 3: Environments as the Third Educator - Tuesday April 29, 2025
If we look at the environment as the third educator through the lens of the Program Inclusion Reflection Tool, what do we need to consider regarding our inclusive practices? Take a step back and reflect on your environment. Does it reflect those living in the space? Can children lead their own play? Moving from structured play to unstructured play, empowering children to extend and plan their play, choice of materials, curriculum modifications, adult reminders and incorporating the element of fun.

Session 4: Breaking Down Our Daily Practices for Inclusivity - Tuesday May 20, 2025
As educators navigate a new pathway, the final session will take a deep dive into inclusive early learning strategies, challenging our daily practices and routines, use of language, equitability, power relationships and how it translates to best practices. Moving forward educators will have an opportunity to consider next steps for implementation into both their daily practice and early learning environments and early learning and child care programs.

All webinars take place from 6:30 to 8:30 pm EST.

Series Objectives

• Consider what inclusion is and how it is woven into our daily practices through self-reflection and self-awareness.
• Discuss and identify what behaviour and development are and link them to inclusive practices that support children and families.
• Revisit and review relationships, self-regulation, development, environments, daily practices, and curriculum, ensuring the use of inclusive language and practices using the Program Inclusion Reflection Tool.