As is so often the case with educators, I arrive home from work and begin transitioning from a vibrant, active work day to home life. But the transition never fully happens, as every teacher knows. Your mind wanders to the moments earlier in the day- how did they go- could I have done something differently,…Continue reading →

On Friday, the TNNS preschool and Trailblazer teams joined with the Rompers team from Thompson Community Association to partake in a workshop on early years math and curriculum development. We were so fortunate to have Janice Novakowski, a Richmond School District’s teacher consultant, facilitate this workshop for us. Janice is passionate, vastly knowledgeable and wildly intelligent!…Continue reading →

It has been a month of celebrating holidays – holidays rooted in tradition that offer an opportunity to learn from each other, express care and respect for one another and make space for us to contemplate what it means to truly be open to all ways of being. These important holidays and the values they…Continue reading →

Perhaps this title captured your attention? Well, thinking about January and the shades of grey, has captured mine! The skies are often grey here in BC in January- some see grey has sort of a ‘blah’ colour and admittedly it can be dreary over time but I also have been finding much beauty in grey….Continue reading →

In past decades, specific concepts such as colours, numbers, letters and seasons, were often taught through themes chosen by the preschool or classroom teacher: ‘Leaves’ in October, ‘Bears’ or ‘Penguins’ in January, ‘Farm Animals’ in the Spring. The teacher might develop a box of materials with props, stories, and worksheets to be used year after…Continue reading →

I was chatting with Nicole, one of our school age Trailblazer educators last week and we had a good laugh about what a typical day looks like as a teacher of young children. We noted that the stories we bring home to our dinner tables are often not only hilarious (and sometimes not fit for…Continue reading →

Last week marked our first annual Walk for Wenjack. https://downiewenjack.ca/our-work/walk-for-wenjack/ Our team has been working diligently for the past several years on gaining a deeper understanding of the Indigenous peoples of Canada; their history and stories which are so rich and complex. Stories of beauty, courage and love and many stories that are very traumatic and…Continue reading →

The week before we welcomed children, our team kicked off the school year with a special day of coming together to discuss everything from the nitty gritty details of what we need to have in our backpacks to the larger picture questions of how we want this year to look in terms of our philosophy,…Continue reading →

Did you know May is Child Care month? Although Canada lags well behind other developed nations in it’s support of young families, the federal government’s most recent budget committed to the creation of a universal child care system, something advocates have been requesting for 51 years!  British Columbia’s provincial government is also committed to supporting…Continue reading →

Officially Earth Day is April 22, but truthfully, everyday at TNNS feels like Earth Day!  But a designated day helps call our attention to something with special gestures of gifts, acknowledgement, and plans.  This year we wove Earth Day into our opening and closing circles, and also engaged the children in dialogue and special projects…Continue reading →

We have mentioned this book before in our blogs as we are doing a team book study with this incredible resource on Early Childhood Education. For our Pro D Day last Friday, we focused on the chapter titled: Expand Opportunities for Children to Use their Active Bodies. We all know we are pretty good at that…Continue reading →

There is nothing like being with children (well, maybe also pets) to make you appreciate the little things.  This week, as the weather plummeted and adults fretted about possible snow and all things pandemic, the children delighted in cracking ice, squishing mud, painting, running, and just being together. The calendar has heaped Lunar New Year,…Continue reading →

The element of surprise is something that is often fleeting, pouncing upon us suddenly and then vanishing quick as a wink. But that first moment of wonder is so energizing and intriguing we absolutely crave it. After observing our children in the Eagle class explore cardboard boxes of all shapes and sizes,  I am slowly…Continue reading →