10 Reasons to Choose Quality Early Learning and Child Care

Expert knowledge Early childhood educators are experts in child development and are trained to create inspiring learning environments!
Intentionality Early childhood educators provide your child the gift of time and attention. They will stop and explore the new flowers or jump in the mud puddles with your child.
Young at heart Early childhood educators know how to have fun! They’re not afraid to be silly and laugh with your child; all while nurturing your child’s creativity and helping to build their self-confidence.
Setting limits Every child needs reasonable boundaries, such as no playing ball inside. Early childhood educators set limits and support families in doing the same.
Love of literacy Early childhood educators read and tell stories, sing songs, and do puppet shows to inspire a love of language and to build early literacy skills.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Confidence boost Early childhood educators provide safe opportunities for your child to be independent and to become confident in their personality and decision making skills.
Inspired learning Early childhood educators ask open-ended questions to inspire creative thought and curiosity, to encourage children to explore, and to make learning fun.
Life skills Early childhood educators use their expertise to develop programs that use play as a tool for teaching math, literacy, science and essential life skills that last for life!
Making friends Early childhood educators are educated to appropriately support children to gain social skills, which are so important in making friends and developing positive relationships!
Helping hand Everyone gets stumped by parenting from time to time - juggling schedules, demands, and behaviours. When it gets tough and you need someone to talk to, reach out to your child’s early childhood educator!
Professional, Certified, Licensed.

Helping PEI families make the early years count
Français


News & Events : Events : Session Details

Educators
Families
Handle with Care

Session Details

Print This Event

Event: 2018 ECDA Spring Conference

1A: Pillars of Support: Building a Strong Motor Foundation for Learning Through Arts Education with Vicki Allen Cook & Yvonne Thompson


9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Conference Centre | Argus Room 

Workshop Description: 

Researchers, educators and clinicians have found in the past decade with the advent of technology, increase in screen time and decrease in outside and sensory play, that children are missing key motor development skills.  This workshop will focus on the importance of key motor milestones embedded within  play and art education.  It will focus on the link  of motor skills through Arts education and play to learning, school readiness and emotional self-regulation.  In this collaborative session, early childhood educators will engage in interactive discussions as well as  break out sessions and will leave with ideas, tools and a self-developed action plan to easily incorporate key motor skills into their early learning programs using the Arts.  Everyone is encouraged to come to the workshop with questions, ideas and  a willingness to share.  It is recommended comfortable clothing be worn for active participation in the workshop.

Facilitator(s) Bio: Vicki Allen Cook & Yvonne Thompson, Melissa Myers & Jenn Neill (bio's to come)

Vicki AllenCook has been an educator for thirty-eight years. Her educational adventures have allowed her to become a Teacher in Classrooms and Universities/Colleges, Curriculum Developer, Consultant, Gallery Education Curator, Writer/ Author, Cultural Organizer, Conference Presenter, Resource Designer, Artist/ Sculptural Gold Smith, Personnel Officer, Actor, Director, Dancer, and participating member on Cultural Boards. Her work on Narratives of Nationhood has been recognized regionally, nationally and internationally. She is an active community volunteer and believes strongly in a community working together. Vicki is a wife, a mother/ mother- in- law, and grandmother to four children, two daughters-in-law and two beautiful baby grandsons… And yes one dog and one cat. In her spare time she likes to sing, dance, garden, cook, sail, read, exercise, travel, go to movies and be with her friends. Vicki greatest pride and joy are her family, friends, and students.

Yvonne Thompson, OT Reg(PEI) is an Occupational Therapist working in the schools with the School Therapy OT program.  She graduated from Dalhousie University, School of Occupational Therapy in 1993 and began working with children 23 years ago. She has worked with children of all ages and enjoys working collaboratively as part of a team with members such as the: child, family, early child development educators, teachers and other health care professionals to support the whole child.  She values active inclusion and believes in opportunities for health promotion (physical and mental) to support a child's development.

Jennifer Neill OTReg (PEI) graduated from McMaster University as an Occupational Therapist in 2006. She began her career as a community and school-based therapist in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Following her second maternity leave in 2014 she moved back home to PEI and began working with the pre-school population for the Queen's Region. She enjoys working with children and youth with a variety of special needs and she values the importance of supporting children and their families at home, in school and in their communities.

Melissa Myers, OT Reg(PEI) is an occupational therapist  working in the pre-school program in Queens Region. She graduated from Dalhousie University in 1999 and has been working with children since 2000 in various settings including hospital, school, daycare and home settings. Her early career began in adolescent mental health and from there she moved to working with children in the school system in Calgary, Alberta. She moved back to PEI in 2011 and started working in the pre-school program. Having worked with children from birth to adolescence, she is a strong supporter of early child development and the importance of building strong sensory  and motor foundation skills in early childhood to support future development.

Date & Time

May 4, 2018
9:00 AM

Location

Slemon Park Conference Centre | Summerside, PEI

Other Sessions

Event Information
2018 ECDA Spring Conference
Conferences
This event has been approved by the Early Learning and Child Care Board for 5.00 professional development training hours.
Return to the main event page for registration