Jane Pilskalnietis shares so much wisdom on WHY we need to get comfortable with getting messy! Did you know dirt helps us age better, releases serotonin AND helps with gut health?! Those are just a fraction of the benefits Jane shares. She also dives deep into what we can offer in our outdoor environment to give children autonomy in their play.

Show Notes: elfoundations.com/59

How to Work with Carla

In this interview, we uncover the greatness of strong-willed children, the challenges of being their educator or parent and how we can take a positive approach in a conflict to ensure that the child feels seen and heard without getting into a power struggle.

Taking a positive teaching approach supports the fundamental principles of How Does Learning Happen: Belonging, Well-Being, Engagement and Expression.

Show Notes: elfoundations.com/58

How to Work with Carla

There is sometimes a stigma that comes with being a supply teacher and sometimes educators are faced with not being set up for success. This episode's podcast guests are breaking the stigma of supply teaching! MeLor is an elite staffing agency in Toronto, Canada supporting child care centres and breaking through the supply teacher stigma! Find out how they set their staff up for success before they even step into a centre. 

Show Notes: elfoundations.com/57

How to Work with Carla

If you are toying with the idea of becoming a centre supervisor then this is the episode for you! Today's podcast guest is Stephanie-Rachel Gomes of Play to Grow (@playtogrow) who talks all about how she transitioned from being a classroom teacher to a supervisor during a pandemic. She shares some awesome tips that can help anyone wanting to move into the supervisor role!

Becoming a supervisor can change the path for the Early Childhood Educators in a centre, the children and the families. Your passion can make a huge impact!

Show Notes: elfoundations.com/56

How to Work with Carla

We want to believe that play is everywhere in every program with children but that is just not the reality! Today's podcast guest is Kathleen Gomes and she joins Carla Ward to talk about bringing play into full-day kindergarten (FDK). She has some great tips on how to start small in to make a big impact!

Show Notes: elfoundations.com/55

How to Work with Carla

Science needs to take more of a front and centre seat in the Early Childhood Classroom. When children play, they are experimenting all the time. “What happens if we balance this block here?”, "What happens when we put the ball at the top and it rolls down?" Now it’s time for us to support our little scientists with even more hands-on experiments to explore without teacher intervention. Sometimes it’s going to be messy but it is going to be fun and full of learning. Science provides children with so many opportunities to develop and practice different skills and it is such a powerful way to build that sense of wonder! 

Show Notes: elfoundations.com/54

How to Work with Carla

This episode is packed with everything you need to know to create a sense of belonging and inclusivity within your classroom. Carla interviews Dr. JaNay Brown-Wood whose education and experience have led her to be an award-winning children’s author, poet, educator, and scholar. They dive into celebrating diversity and the importance of reflection in one's program. 

Show Notes: elfoundations.com/53

How to Work with Carla

Following children's interests has a huge impact on the person a child becomes. As an ECE you have to decide what role you want to play in a child's life. Do you want to spew out facts or help foster creativity and imagination? Do you want to help them develop their voice and give them confidence? Inquiry-based teaching supports a child's development, fosters their creativty and imagination. It helps them build confidence in who they are.  Listen as Monica and Carla discuss the benefits and wonder that come along with inquiry based learning, working in a Reggio Inspired environment and how it supports children's learning.

Show Notes: elfoundations.com/52

How to Work with Carla

Being a classroom educator is hard. Being a classroom educator without support is even harder! Join Carla as she talks with Adva Hannan about 3 steps to take to confidently step into the classroom.

Show Notes: elfoundations.com/51

How to Work with Carla

Can you think of 101 reasons to love being an Early Childhood Educator? Jiji Talmas did and she wrote a book about it! Join Carla and Jiji on The Everything ECE Podcast as they talk about how awesome being an ECE is and how to keep going on those tough days!

Show Notes: elfoundations.com/50

How to Work with Carla