www.communitylivingkl.ca/services/mini-sites/early-learning-quality-initiative

January 2015

Inside this Issue

Winter Message 1

Our Community Events 2-3

Raising the Bar 4

Professional Development 5

Upcoming Events 5-6

Of Interest 7

ELQI Library 8

Hello to all the City of Kawartha Lakes and

County of Haliburton Early Learning

Educators! Can you believe that 2015 is now

upon us and we have so much to look forward

to in the future? The beginning of a new year

allows us to reflect on where we have been, our

growth and challenges and where we would like

to go. We hope that 2015 brings you a step

closer to your wishes, desires and dreams.

It’s Child’s Play and it Matters

Our 6th Annual It’s Child’s Play and it Matters conference, held November 7th and 8th, 2014, was a great success! Everyone enjoyed the return to the Pinestone Resort and participating in this

opportunity to “renew our passion” through professional learning and networking with educators from near and far.

We had the privilege of welcoming back Nefertiti Bruce and introducing Jeff A. Johnston to our community. Thank you to all the presenters and participants. See you next year on November 6th

and 7th, 2015 at the Pinestone Resort.

Our Community Events

ECE Appreciation Evening

December 4th, 2014

The amazing early learning professionals from City of Kawartha Lakes and County of Haliburton gathered for an evening of networking and merriment at the Lindsay Golf and Country Club. The dinner was delectable and the entertainment was both engaging and humorous. Thank you all for making the evening a complete success.

Raising the Bar

Leslie and I will begin the “road trip” near the end of January and into February to visit all the

centres to complete the third party visits. “How Does Learning Happen” is the latest document

from the Ministry of Education-Early Learning Department and it is now our focus with the third

party visits. We look forward to meeting with the educators in all programs for an opportunity to

observe, engage and reflect about your program and daily practices.

A reminder to all educators and staff that there are new forms to fill out in regards to professional development and professional membership participation. Supervisors have the forms and you will find them on our website as well.

I am looking forward to visiting centres on a monthly basis to look at Raising the Bar profiles and to assist educators in putting it into daily practice.

Please don’t forget that there are continuous opportunities that are available to the educators in the City of Kawartha Lakes and County of Haliburton. Just give Leslie a call or email for more information or to arrange training.

• Book Study - Community/Centre Based • DECA - Local Mentors

• Intro to E-DECA • Save the Day for Play

• Second Step • Side by Side Mentoring

HOCUS FOCUS

Kevin Spencer is an educator, researcher, writer, and artist. He believes in the power of the arts to make a difference in people’s lives.

Spencer is widely considered the leading authority on the therapeutic use of magic tricks in physical and psychosocial rehabilitation. He is the founder of the MAGIC program, a systematic approach to integrating magic tricks into rehabilitation therapy. His continuing education organization has the Approved Provider Status of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

*Stay tuned for additional Information on this wonderful professional opportunity th*Stay tuned for additional Information on this wonderful professional opportunity th*Stay tuned for additional Information on this wonderful professional opportunity th*Stay tuned for additional Information on this wonderful professional opportunity that will be happening in at will be happening in at will be happening in at will be happening in Lindsay in March of 2015.*Lindsay in March of 2015.*Lindsay in March of 2015.*Lindsay in March of 2015.*

Professional Development

Upcoming Events

Intro to Intro to Intro to Intro to EEEE----DECA for Early Learning StaffDECA for Early Learning StaffDECA for Early Learning StaffDECA for Early Learning Staff

Thursday, February 19th, 2015 6:30-8:30 pm

Community Living Kawartha Lakes Board Room

This session is for any staff who has not had the introduction to DECA as part of the Raising the Bar initiative.

Please RSVP by Friday, February 13th, 2015

Networks are HaNetworks are HaNetworks are HaNetworks are Happening!!!ppening!!!ppening!!!ppening!!! Toddler:Toddler:Toddler:Toddler: February 26th, April 23rd

Preschool:Preschool:Preschool:Preschool: January 22nd, March 26th

School Age:School Age:School Age:School Age: February 12th

Please RSVP your attendance for these networks to Leslie at 705-328-0464 ext. 235 or lleclair@communitylivingkl.ca. There must be at least five people from two different centres/agencies

participating for the networks to proceed.

You can find us under Early Learning Quality Initiative CKLCH. We hope that you will be able to find some valuable resources, suggestions and food for thought.

WebsitesWebsitesWebsitesWebsites of Interestof Interestof Interestof Interest (Some sites that have been brought to our attention.)(Some sites that have been brought to our attention.)(Some sites that have been brought to our attention.)(Some sites that have been brought to our attention.)

Let the Children PlayLet the Children PlayLet the Children PlayLet the Children Play

hthththttp://www.letthechildrenplay.nettp://www.letthechildrenplay.nettp://www.letthechildrenplay.nettp://www.letthechildrenplay.net

Let the Children Play celebrates the importance of play in the lives and education of our children by sharing my own experiences in a play-based preschool and providing inspiration, tips and information to help parents and teachers alike put the play back into childhood.

Natural CuriosityNatural CuriosityNatural CuriosityNatural Curiosity

http://www.nhttp://www.nhttp://www.nhttp://www.naturalcuriosity.ca/aturalcuriosity.ca/aturalcuriosity.ca/aturalcuriosity.ca/

Teacher TomTeacher TomTeacher TomTeacher Tom

http://teachertomsblog.blogspot.ca/http://teachertomsblog.blogspot.ca/http://teachertomsblog.blogspot.ca/http://teachertomsblog.blogspot.ca/

TomTomTomTom is a preschoolis a preschoolis a preschoolis a preschool teacherteacherteacherteacher, blogger, artist, a, blogger, artist, a, blogger, artist, a, blogger, artist, and author.nd author.nd author.nd author.

Of Interest

The resource library is “open for business”! We are having the official grand opening on Wednesday official grand opening on Wednesday official grand opening on Wednesday official grand opening on Wednesday January 21, 2015.January 21, 2015.January 21, 2015.January 21, 2015. We are very excited to be able to offer resources to the early learning community. All you need to do is drop in and fill out a library membership and then you are able to access the resources for a period of a month. Below are some of the newest books available for loan.

These are just a few of the books that are available for your learning journey. Please do not hesitate to contact the Early Learning Quality Initiative to find out about additional resources and check out our website to see all the resources that are available.

Early Learning Quality Initiative Resource Library

Loose parts are natural or synthetic found, bought, or upcycled

materials that children can move, manipulate, control, and change

within their play. Alluring and captivating, they capture children's

curiosity, give free reign to their imagination, and motivate

learning.

In Einstein Never Used Flashcards highly credentialed child

psychologists, Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Ph.D., and Roberta Michnick

Golinkoff, Ph.D., with Diane Eyer, Ph.D., offer a compelling indictment

of the growing trend toward accelerated learning. It's a message that

stressed-out parents are craving to hear: Letting tots learn through

play is not only okay-it's better than drilling academics!

Anxiety in children diminishes their intellectual, emotional and

social development, as well as physical health. Author Paul

Foxman believes there are three interacting ingredients that

contribute to anxiety in children -- biological sensitivity,

personality, and stress overload.

Early Learning Quality InitiativeEarly Learning Quality InitiativeEarly Learning Quality InitiativeEarly Learning Quality Initiative

City of Kawartha Lakes and County of HaliburtonCity of Kawartha Lakes and County of HaliburtonCity of Kawartha Lakes and County of HaliburtonCity of Kawartha Lakes and County of Haliburton

LesLesLesLeslie LeClairlie LeClairlie LeClairlie LeClair

Early Learning Training and Development Consultant

Rose McHughRose McHughRose McHughRose McHugh Early Learning Quality Advisor

Suite 200-205 McLaughlin Road

Lindsay, ON K9V 0K7

705-328-0464 ext. 235