In Beautiful Peterborough, Ontario ~ It’s a Natural
Saturday, April 18th, 2015
Fleming College
Keynote speaker: Karyn Callaghan
Workshop Highlights:
Break out of the Totes ~ Being with Toddlers ~
Creating Environments for Meaningful Play and Learning ~ Doing What Works ~
If We Believe in Children’s Intelligence, It Changes Us ~ Laughter Yoga ~
Let’s Hear It for Boys! ~ Music and Movement in an Early Learning Environment ~
Rainbow Families: Visibility in the Early Years ~ More than a Game! ~
Self - Regulation and Us ~ Technology in the Early Childhood Setting ~
Why Teach Nursery Rhymes? ~ Yummy in My Tummy!
Conference Agenda
Registration Opens 8:15
Lunch will be served from
12:30 to 1:30 with time to enjoy
your meal, shop at the
Light morning refreshments
vendor village, or take a walk on the
college grounds.
Keynote Address 9:00
Morning Workshops
10:30 - 12:30
Vendor Village:
8:15 - 9:00
10:00 – 10:30
12:30 - 1:30
Lunch 12:30 - 1:30
Afternoon Workshops
1:30 - 3:30
H2O: New!
Bring your own water bottle this year:
Fleming has committed to leading in sustainability and no longer sells bottled
water. There are water stations available to refill your own refillable bottles.
Vendors
Gerri’s Arts and Crafts
Avron
Organo Gold Coffee
Wintergreen
The Pampered Chef
Lemon Lily
The Toy Shop
Scholar’s Choice
Kawartha Lakes Fudge
PCCHU
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Keynote 9:00 - 10:00
Karyn Callaghan
Documentation: Giving visibility to gifted children through the eyes of gifted educators.
Morning Workshops
10:30— 12:30
A1. Let’s Hear It for Boys!
Facilitator: Monica Carruthers RECE, AECEO.C, ECRT
Latest research tells us that boys and girls do learn differently. In the workshop we’ll look at the
research and explore how to set up the environment to support the learning styles of boys. This
workshop will relate directly to the ELECT document and How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s
Pedagogy for the early Years.
A2. Creating Environments for Meaningful Play and Learning
Facilitator: Cheryl Herder RECE and Mary Lou Lummiss RECE
What do we know about best practices in the Early Years? Does our practice truly reflect our image
of the child, our image of the educator, and our image of the family? Learning together is a journey
and we are glad to share it with you. Reflection, discussion and play will be the foundation for our
learning at this workshop. Bring your passion for play and your openness for sharing.
A3. Doing What Works: Teaching Skills to Reduce Challenging Behaviour
Facilitator: Angela Turner RECE, AECEO.C
This workshop is appropriate for those working with children who have an Autism Spectrum
Disorder (ASD) or similar social-communication difficulties. The strategies and interventions to be
presented are based on the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and are suitable for any
location (e.g. childcare, school, community, home). Various examples encompassing the skill
domains (s0cial-communication, activities of daily living, emotional regulation) will be presented.
Participants will have an opportunity to engage in individual and/or small group activities. (Case
study: participants will be encouraged to bring a short case study).
A4. If We Believe in Children’s Intelligence, It Changes Us
Facilitator: Karyn Callaghan
How Does Learning Happen? articulates a view of the child, the educator and family that provides
us with an excellent foundation for critical reflection. In this session, we will consider how we can
work with children, families and our colleagues as “critical friends” to bring more congruency to our
practice. Participants are invited to bring photos of aspects of the classroom environment they have
been pondering, or examples of schedules, forms, policies or curriculum that they would welcome
others to offer a perspective on.
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Morning Workshops Continued
A5. Why Teach Nursery Rhymes?
Facilitators: Lois Thompson RECE and Ann Gillespie RECE
Nursery rhymes and songs can be used anywhere at anytime. They are one of our most transportable forms of play. As well, rhymes, fingerplays, songs and poems teach important concepts and
skills like language development, math concepts, reading skills, dramatization and more. Join us
and we will explore how to use nursery rhymes everyday with all age groups.
A6. Being with Toddlers
Facilitators: Teresa Burke RECE and Jenna Lumley RECE
Toddlers are curious, bright, joyous people. Join us to learn how to involve toddlers in all aspects of
your program. We will look at designing your environment from their perspective and building a
program that caters to the needs of the age group. Let’s discuss your challenges and focus on
viewing toddlers as capable, independent and inspiring.
A7. Yummy in My Tummy!
Facilitators: Erica Diamond RD and Janice McCue
Come join us in creating healthy and tasty snack options for children in your care while learning
about hot nutrition topics for young children and families. Everyone is welcome to come participate
in this fun and hands-on workshop that will help you expand your food skills and inspire you and
your staff to learn how to connect food with educational programming. Comfortable shoes and
clothes are recommended. Aprons, hairnets and gloves will be provided.
Afternoon Workshops
1:30—3:30
P1. Laughter Yoga
Facilitator: Lisa O’Leary
We were all born to laugh and we need laughter in our lives - no matter what age! During this
workshop you will learn about the history of laughter yoga, facts and the many benefits laughter
provides. You will also get to experience a laughter yoga session. We will discuss the many reasons
why laughter is needed on a personal level as well as how it applies to working with children. Discover how important laughter really is to achieving a balanced, healthy and joyful life!
P2. Break Out of the Totes
Facilitator: Monica Carruthers RECE, AECEO.C, ECRT
Let’s face it, over the years we’ve all created a great collection of ‘theme-based’ kits. Now what? In
this hands-on workshop we’ll discuss how to make the move to curriculum using a child-focused,
play-based approach using observations, documentation and a team approach to planning. This
will relate directly to the ELECT document and How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy
for the Early Years.
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P3. More than a Game!
Facilitator: Amy Holmes B. Ed.
Board games are both engaging and entertaining, so they have the ability to be excellent teaching
tools. With a little creativity you can turn your favourite board games into numeracy and literacy
activities or you can develop a brand new game with just a few things you already have around your
house. In this workshop we will explore ideas for adapting existing games to a variety of age groups
and have the opportunity to create a few new games of our own. Come prepared to learn through
play!
P4. Music and Movement in an early Learning Environment
Facilitator: Tara Cahorn RECE
In this workshop we will discuss the benefits of music for children and why we should facilitate
music and movement with children. We will share ideas around past and present experiences that
have been successful. We will engage in songs, fingerplays and explore movement that educators
can take back to use in their programs and will also talk about budget friendly options for planning. Finally, we will explore some calming yoga poses for children toddler-age and up. Come
prepared to share, smile, sing and learn!
P5. Rainbow Families - Visibility in the Early Years
Facilitators: Shelley Secrett RECE and Lynn Ann Drew RECE
As early childhood educators, we value providing a safe and nurturing environment for all children.
However, even the most well-intentioned educator might struggle with how to approach LGBTQ
(lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning) families and topics in the classroom. This
dynamic and interactive workshop is designed to build the confidence and comfort level of educators seeking to create a more inclusive classroom. We will cover topics such as our early beliefs and
how they impact us, current and appropriate terminology and how to creatively diversify resources
to plant seeds of acceptance.
*Note: This workshop will be presented by Lynn Anne Drew only as Shelley Secrett will be out of
the country.
P6. Self-Regulation and Us
Facilitators: Hannah Sun-Reid MA, MDE, CPT-S, CTS, CDDPT
The workshop will describe the difference and connection between self-regulation and self-control
from a brain science perspective, and what they look like in real life. We will also discuss, step-bystep, how children’s self-regulation skills develop, the environmental factors, and how caregiverchild relationship plays a key role in this process. The participants will learn 6 practical strategies
they can use in daily practice to support the children develop their self-regulation skills. This workshop promises an interesting and enjoyable learning experience.
P7. Technology in the Early Childhood Setting
Facilitators: Sandra Payne RECE and Nancy Zomer B.Ed.
It appears that prolific technology use in our society is here to stay. But what should it look like in
the early childhood setting? How can we ensure that children’s technology use is meaningful and
supports their development? This workshop will explore ideas for integrating developmentally
appropriate technology use in early childhood settings that focus on play-based and inquiry learning. We will also discuss the use of technology as a tool to document children’s learning and connect
with parents, families, colleagues and beyond. We are not experts in the field, nor do we have all the
answers, but we are excited to share our learning and experiences from our ongoing technological
journey in our FDK classroom.
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Presenter Biographies
Teresa Burke
Teresa is an RECE with almost 30 years of experience in the Early Learning field. For the past 12 years
she has been the Executive Director of Nursery Two Child Care. Teresa believes that working as a team
helps to build a quality program for children, parents and educators. She is a council member for the
Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care. Teresa believes that advocacy is key to bringing issues to the
forefront to improve on quality in the Early Learning field.
Tara Cahorn
Tara has worked with children of all ages and abilities for the majority of her life, starting in Leader
Corps and camps. As well as being an RECE, she is also a certified Kindermusik teacher. Tara is passionate about giving children positive experiences and believes that children benefit from regular involvement with music and movement in their lives beginning with birth. She is a program supervisor with
Trent Child Care and currently on maternity leave with her fourth child.
Karyn Callaghan
Karyn is the program coordinator and lecturer in the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies program at
Charles Sturt University, founder and coordinator of the Artists at the Centre - Making Thinking Visible
project, and since 1997 has been exploring the philosophy that has guided the programs in Reggio
Emilia, Italy. Karyn is currently president of the Ontario Reggio Association, a national director of the
Canadian Association for Young Children, and a member of the Board of Directors for the North
American Reggio Emilia Alliance. She has participated in two study weeks in Reggio Emilia. Karyn has
collaborated with Dr. Carol Anne Wien on research into the impact of the Reggio approach on early
learning programs in Ontario, authored and co-authored articles published in national and international
journals, and has been a keynote speaker at conferences across Canada and in the United States.
Monica Carruthers
Monica graduated from Mohawk College in 1980 in Early Childhood Education, is certified with the
AECEO and has her Early Childhood Resource Teacher Certificate. Since working in child care, a co-op
preschool and as a Resource Teacher in Hamilton and Windsor, Monica has come to realize the importance of connection of children, educators and families to nature and natural elements. This connection
has now become part of every workshop she delivers, from challenging behaviours to greening outdoor
classrooms. Since moving to the Windsor-Essex area in Ontario she is now an independent Professional
Development Consultant, speaking at conferences and delivering in-service training around the
province. Her website is: www.natureofkids.com
Erica Diamond
Erica is a registered Dietitian/Public Health Nutritionist with the Peterborough County City Health Unit.
She enjoys working with parents and caregivers and their children on a variety of nutrition topics
including picky eaters, meal planning in child care centres and family meals with the goal to get adults
and children excited about cooking. All children have the option to choose healthy foods where they live,
play and grow.
Lynn Anne Drew
Lynn Anne is a registered Early Childhood Educator working in Kitchener-Waterloo. Currently, she is a
preschool teacher in a Reggio Emelia program at Jacob Hespeler Child Care. She is a world traveller who has
a passion for promoting diversity and inclusion.
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Ann Gillespie
Ann, RECE and AECEO.C, was honoured to be asked to co-present a workshop at this amazing conference. Retired in 2013 as owner/operator of St. Barnabas Nursery School and an advocate of life long
learning, Ann now enjoys volunteering at the Peterborough Family Resource Centre and spending as
much time as she can with her grandchildren.
Cheryl Herder
I currently fill the role of ECE Program Coordinator at Fleming College. I am also part of the ECE
teaching faculty team and gain daily inspiration from my colleagues and the students that I teach. The
bottom line is, I am passionate about learning and networking with others who share my passion. I am
excited about the changing paradigms in education in the province of Ontario and believe these are
exciting times for our profession. Prior to my role at Fleming College, I taught Kindergarten for 20 years
and gained my daily inspiration from the wisdom of 4 and 5 year olds. In addition to this, I have dedicated my life to creating learning environments and fostering relationships with children and their families in various preschool programs, home day care environments, and nursery schools. My husband and
I have raised three boys, who are now, young men. I have two beautiful grandchildren who continue to
teach me how to wonder, how to explore, how to dream and never, never stop asking why.
Amy Holmes
Amy is a certified teacher with a BA in Dramatic Arts and a B.Ed. with Primary/Junior qualifications.
She has travelled to Japan to teach and has tutored in a variety of classrooms and alternative settings.
She is currently Resource Coordinator for the Toy Lending Library at the Peterborough Family Resource
Centre where she enjoys managing the resources for the centre’s six Family hubs and assisting families
with their toy selections. She facilitates a monthly Family Games Night and has lead School Readiness
Programs.
Jenna Lumley
Jenna is an RECE with six years of experience with a variety of age groups while working at Nursery Two
Child Care. Jenna is the mother of three beautiful girls. Jenna has a gentle approach with children that
allows for a relaxed environment. Her approach sets the stage for a positive, caring environment that coworkers, children and parents appreciate.
Mary Lou Lummiss
My love for children brought me to this profession and my many years of front line work within the child
care community continues to be a cherished time in my professional career. Currently I am a full time
ECE faculty at Fleming College in Peterborough. With all that said, my most important credential is that
of being the mother of three boys and a grandmother of twin one year olds. These two little characters
have rekindled my joy of seeing how learning truly happens. Exploring ideas for early learning environments that inspire new ideas, spark curiosity and engage children in their own learning is a passion that
drives my work with college students. I am continually motivated by their enthusiasm and open ended
thinking about play opportunities for children. As together we explore the nuances of children’s love for
play and the environments they learn in, I am inspired by this quote of Rachel Carson’s: “If a child is to
keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it,
rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in.”
Janice McCue
Janice’s background experiences in food skills includes training as a Community Food educator and
Certified Diabetes Prevention Worker. Currently, Janice provides classes at the Peterborough CityCounty Health Unit in food skill building with the Come Cook with Us Program and food security programs through Collective Kitchens.
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Lisa O’Leary
Lisa is a Recreation Therapist and Certified Laughter Yoga Leader and Teacher. Lisa loves to laugh and she
runs her own business called Serious about Laughter. She travels all over Ontario to bring laughter to all ages
and abilities but her real passion is working with children and spreading the connection between laughter
and mental health. Over the last 6 years, Lisa has had the opportunity to present to ECEs, a TLDSB Mental
Health Symposium and to work with children from JK to high school. She has seen firsthand the therapeutic
benefits of laughter!
Sandra Payne
Sandra has worked in the Early Childhood Education field for over 20 years. She began her career at Trent
Child Care where she had the opportunity of working with children from all age groups as well as working in
a supervisory role. Over the last 3 years she has shifted her career to work in the FDK program at Kawartha
Pine Ridge DSB.
Shelley Secrett
Shelley is an early childhood educator at Emmanuel at Brighton Child Care in Waterloo. She is the owner of
Secrett Events and is very involved in Waterloo’s vibrant LGBTQ community hosting fundraisers, raising
awareness and empowering people to be who they are. As an RECE, Shelley believes that all children need to
see a reflection of themselves and their families in our early childhood programs and that one small action
towards accepting our differences leads to another.
Hannah Sun-Reid
Hannah is a Certified Child Psychotherapist and Play Therapist Supervisor, and a Certified Attachment focused Psychotherapist. She has more than 20 years’ experience working with children and families who
experience life challenges including developmental and emotional difficulties, trauma and loss. Hannah
provides supervision and consultation to therapists and organizations, and conducts training workshops
nationally and internationally. Hannah is also an author of children’s books.
Lois Thompson
Lois is the Early Literacy Specialist for the Peterborough area and works from the Peterborough Family
Resource Centre (PFRC). She has been working in the field of Early Childhood Education since graduation
from Humber College in 1970. Her experiences working in childcare include nursery schools, childcare
centres, and home childcare agencies. She has been at the PFRC for just over 26 years and really enjoys her
focus on early literacy and numeracy in her work with parents, caregivers, professionals and children.
Angela Turner
Angela has over 27 years experience working directly with children and their parents living with a wide range
of special needs including Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). She is experienced in the area of program
development and education of both parents and professionals. Angela worked as a Provincial Resource
Consultant on a provincial project at Geneva Centre for Autism. This role involved educating Educational
Assistants and Preschool Resource Teachers across Ontario about autism. Following the conclusion of the
provincial project, Geneva Centre contracted Angela for training of parents and professionals on a variety of
ASD related topics. Angela is an RECE and AECEO.C maintains her Professional Certification through the
Association of Early Childhood Educators of Ontario (AECEO).
Nancy Zomer
Nancy is a teacher in the FDK program with Kawartha Pine Ridge DSB. She has 17 years of teaching experience and has been teaching at the Kindergarten level for the last 5 years. She is passionate about professional
development, continually taking courses to further her learning, and has just completed her Masters of
Education in Digital Technology. She welcomes the opportunity to share with and learn from others in the
community.
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Fleming College
Sutherland Campus, 599 Brealey Drive
Peterborough, ON CANADA K9J 7B1
For directions from your location visit:
www.flemingcollege.ca
Thank you to the above for their support:
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PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION
CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING YOUR
REGISTRATION FORM:

Deadline for registration forms and payment is March 27, 2015.

Each registrant must complete a registration form. At this time, we cannot
accommodate the sharing of packages.


Registrations received without payment will not be processed. (Payment may be
made by credit card over the phone.)
Confirmations will be sent by email once each delegate has been processed.

If you have not been contacted by March 27, please get in touch with the organizer.

Cancellations will be accepted upon receipt of a written request postmarked no
later than March 27, 2015. Telephone cancellation is not accepted.

A processing fee of $15.00 will be deducted from each registration qualifying for a
refund.

No refunds will be issued after the March 27, 2015 deadline.

Non-attendance does not constitute cancellation.

Delegates will be registered in workshops on a first come, first serve basis and will
be placed according to availability at the time of registration.
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REGISTRATION FORM
Name: ___________________________________________________________________
Organization: _____________________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________________________
City: ____________________________ Postal Code: _______________________________
Day time Phone: ____________________________________________________________
Dietary restrictions: _________________________________________________________
Email Address : _____________________________________________________________
*** Registration Confirmation and conference updates will arrive via email
Registrations received without payment will not be processed until payment arrives
Registration Fees
Regular - Working in early learning in Peterborough County
$60.00
Outside Peterborough County
$85.00
ECE Students (fulltime)
$40.00
Workshop Selection - Please indicate your 1st , 2nd, and 3rd choices for each workshop session by entering the
code and workshop title. .
Morning Workshop
Afternoon Workshop
First Choice
Second Choice
Third Choice
Cancellations and Refunds: Cancellations will be accepted upon receipt of a written request postmarked
no later than March 27, 2015. A processing fee of $15.00 will be deducted from each registration qualifying
for a refund. NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED AFTER THE March 27th DEADLINE.
Payment Method:
Please remit payment by cheque or money order made payable to : Kawartha Child Care Services
Payment may also be made by credit card over the phone.
(705) 749-3488
Please mail, email or fax completed registrations and payment to : Early Learning and Child Care Conference
Box 1750 550 Braidwood Ave. Peterborough, ON K9J 7X6
Fax : 705—749—9788
Email: [email protected]
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