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 children and families with programs such as the Affordable Child Care Benefit, the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative, and the opening of many new child care spaces. While these initiatives are needed and appreciated, all early learning programs – whether preschool or daycare – are only possible due to the passion, energy and commitment of Early Childhood Educators.

Early Childhood Educators in British Columbia are licensed and regulated. They must complete a one year College certificate or a two year diploma program to receive ‘Infant/Toddler’ or ‘Special Needs’ certification. ECE’s also attend a minimum of eight hours professional development annually. Many Early Childhood Educators hold four year university degrees in ECE or related fields, although this additional education does not increase their wage. The average wage for Early Childhood Educators in British Columbia is $20/hr, which is why the province has implemented a Wage Enhancement program of $2/hour. However, even with this wage subsidy, Early Childhood Educators are paid significantly less than other professionals who work with children, such as public school teachers. Early Childhood Education is a ‘pink collar’ career, with a workforce that is 98% female! Due to low wages and burnout, the turnover rate for Early Childhood Educators is very high, with the majority leaving the profession within 5 years.

We are thankful to all who embrace the incredible responsibilities of loving and caring for children.  We are especially proud of the Early Childhood Educators at Terra Nova Nature School: Berta, Emily, Kate, Katharina, Misuzu, Penny, Rianna, and Tricia, whose dedication, playfulness, love, and hard work is evident every day, throughout the seasons, and whatever the weather. THANK YOU!

Find out more:

https://www.10aday.ca

https://www.ecebc.ca

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/caring-for-young-children

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 in their small groups.  Painting – whether with watercolours, collectively with blues and greens – and even dirt- was a popular activity.  We also spent  time in the garden digging for worms, planting radish and fava bean seeds, and using buckets and watering cans to dump water everywhere.  In our small groups, we wondered what the children understood ‘the Earth’ to mean?  As Educators, we consider children’s knowledge and conceptual understanding, so that the activities we plan are meaningful and engaging.  While a few children did indeed ‘locate’ themselves on Earth, most held an image of Earth as a circle in space, which is of course how it is usually illustrated.  I am wondering how to support children to connect that very abstract image with their own lived experiences of land, water, air, plants, and animals? A project to be continued.  In the meantime, enjoy these images of ‘Eagles and Owls’ in Terra Nova! In gratitude, Kate

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 here at Nature School already and yet, reading this chapter, together, sharing ideas and inspirations, sparked us all in new directions. We spent time unpacking the terms Proprioceptive and Vestibular- they are part of our sensory motor system, joining the more commonly known sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell.

The book defines the proprioceptive system as that which “refers to the sensory input and feedback that tells children how their bodies are moving and where they are in space. There are tiny sensors in each of the muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons and connective tissues.” (p.104)

The vestibular sense is a complex system located in the inner ear. It helps children negotiate gravity when running or swinging as well as during spinning movements.” (p.104)

We first discussed ideas from the book- what mades sense to us, what pushed out thinking or areas of comfort, how can we align our values with this work. Then we headed into action- swinging, balancing, and going barefoot on the cold ground.

Both our preschool team and our Beyond 4 Walls teams felt the day was energizing and poked at us to try some new things or re-look at “old’ activities in a new light. We so appreciate each one of them bringing their energy to TNNS each and every week- Berta, Chloe, Fati, Katharina, Nicole, Penny, Rachel, Rianna, Sarah, Shantelle, Stefan and Tricia.

As you look at these photos (and the videos sent out to our current families) please look for ways that children’s learning in these particular areas are being supported by the offerings from the educators. And, of course, how does the natural world, so organically and beautifully allow for this learning moment to moment.

Moments with children

In gratitude,

Emily

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, Valentine’s Day and Family Day upon us all in a rush, so our educators, and programs, were bursting with ideas and projects!   For Lunar New Year we have been inspired to dance like a Lion (Thank you to Maxwell and his parents, Wendy & Roger for visiting the Eagles class!); painted boxes to build a dragon; and shared books and felt stories.

Caring for one another is an ongoing practice:  for example, our small groups help the children to recognize and address one another’s feelings, voices, and strengths.  In honour of Valentine’s Day, special projects focussed on our love for this land were started and will continue next week.

Like the land, the weather always informs our daily learning: children have been noticing frost and ‘dragon breath’; kept themselves moving to stay warm; and built resiliency while persevering through difficulties such as chilly fingers, talking over the wind, and walking while cocooned in bulky clothing.  We hope you enjoy the following glimpse of our past weeks.  Our whole team wishes you all a joyous, restful, and playful long weekend: Gung Hay Fat Choy! Happy Valentine’s Day! and Happy Family Day!

In appreciation,

Kate

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 unravelling my own curiosity about the way they have been using the boxes. Despite tape, scissors, and markers at the onset, they did not use the boxes for building right away; rather they used the boxes as gifts for each other (over and over again) as well as hiding spaces. I am thinking  perhaps the excitement is the surprise of giving and receiving gifts- what is inside? how will the person react when they open the box? where am I? how can I conceal objects and myself?

I am interested in exploring this idea further- how to we create surprise and how do we allow surprise to live within us, even in the mundane? How can we look at something with a fresh lens so even the familiar can offer a surprise? Can we find a teeny tiny itty bitsy tinge of delight in more things we see, touch, smell, taste and hear? Particularly now, when we are all closer to home, perhaps we can seek more surprises in life’s offerings- can you find a surprise today?

Enjoy these photos, some capturing children surprised, some simply showcasing their work and connections with each other. We adore our Eagles & Owls!

In gratitude,

Emily

Nothing like a pandemic to slow one down! Like all of you, our lives here at TNNS have changed. We miss doing a lot of things we normally do, like chatting with parents in closer proximity with no masks and more frequency. We long to cook together, using veggies from the garden and introducing children to new textures and flavours. We felt sad not to offer Chickadees & Parent & Tot this fall. We feel the loss of our parent evenings and holiday sing-alongs. The list goes on.

And, we have also found some beauty in all of these losses- slowing down and letting go. We have always employed an emergent philosophy here but now more than ever, we work in this realm; as do many of you in your own lives. The lack of ‘must-do’s’ or ‘to-do’s’ has dramatically decreased (with the exception of cleaning protocols of course!) and this freedom feels good; surprisingly good actually. So what will we keep after this is over and what will we re-instate? I know this is a question that comes up a lot for people and interesting to contemplate as we move through this time together.

The saying “less is more’ stands tall right now- dinners with families, bread making, more family walks and bike rides- whatever it is you are now filling your time with is less ‘charged’ with outer forces. So, in heading into the holidays where we will have sad hearts for the people not at our table, let us cherish what we do have, the small moments and gifts. From the bottom of our Nature School hearts to yours, we wish you all a loving holiday season.

Enjoy these snapshots of the past few weeks.

In gratitude,

Emily

These dear Owls have been so brave- some only coming twice per week and yet leaping into this outdoor world with vigor, interest and fortitude! Slowly we are introducing tools such as magnifying glasses, binoculars, and sports equipment. A few weeks ago we had an ‘aha’ moment as a team. A rake was used improperly and broke; certainly not a big deal but it made us pause and reflect why that happened. That break was totally on us educators- we simply assumed everyone knew how to use a rake properly, that it was intuitive. We neglected to teach the children how to use a rake- its’ purpose, its’ defining features and its’ safe handling.

Although seemingly trivial and small, this incident calls forward a bigger question- one of knowledge and power inequities. Perhaps it is the current political climate that is launching us into looking at issues with a new lens; we all have a responsibility to look deep into inequities and how to move towards equity and justice. Were we holding knowledge (power)and thereby creating a power imbalance? What does this mean between adult and child? How do we create relationship that is mature and responsible as adults (we are the adults after all) and yet still open space for equity in the relationship? As educators and parents we can contemplate this question- no clear answers, just good questions to hold gently in our hands and hearts.

Enjoy seeing these engaged children in their explorations.

Warmly,

Emily

Photos taken by Owl teaching team:)

Eagle time- a little of this, a little of that- some snapshots of large and small groups in the Eagle class this week. We had wind, sun, and rain. Relationships develop more each week- with each other and with this beautiful land. We head into this weekend with full hearts.

With gratitude,

Emily

Well, it means a lot. Being a preschooler is no easy task. It requires a large skill set that encompasses skills in many different areas. The work of a 3 or 4 year old is complex, energizing and tiring. As adults, we often think of children just joyfully going about their day, everything being fun and easy. But when you break it down, it also has so many other layers. Each day these children are giving it their all, their very best. Each day they are figuring out how to ‘be’ in this world. The past few weeks have been a steep learning curve for our children. They have been:

• learning to say goodbye to their adored parents/grandparents/caregivers
• trying to get to know the routines- coming into the gathering circle, lining up, hand washing, nutrition break & lunch, departing
• understanding the ‘rules’ in this new place
• exploring new land, plants and animals
• learning each other’s names and play styles
• where they fit in
• how to use materials and what is okay and what is not okay
• how to find their indoor shoes when entering the Cottage
• when and how to use our different-than-home bathrooms
• songs-tunes & lyrics
• listening to a story in a group, not just one to one like at home
• how to run ahead on a path and stop
• how to walk behind birds without scaring them
• how to be themselves and be in a group

and, and, and …so much more.

So if your child is tired, cranky and just simply ‘done’ when they finish school, some or all of these points might be the reason. We are so fortunate to be part of this learning with them- what an extraordinary time to be part of their lives- thank you!

With gratitude,

Emily

Our school year, like our world, is looking and feeling different this year. People living near and far have been focusing a lot on what has changed and what is the ‘new normal’; all of these changes speak to the ever changing nature of our planet and our lives. It speaks to the vulnerability we all share. Vulnerability is something we think a lot about here at TNNS- working outdoors forces us all to be vulnerable to the weather and ever changing conditions. Being Early Childhood educators, grounded in a philosophy of emergent curriculum and Reggio Emilia pedagogy, also immerses us into a vulnerable state of being. We thrive on the not-knowing, the in-between and the beautiful dance of figuring things out together as they unfold. And this state is exactly where we all are right now, hand in hand with one another, working our way through new situations.

We also want to think and talk about what has not changed. What remains the same is our passion for education, particularly outdoor education; our genuine love of children and our belief in their agency; our desire to create strong bonds with children and families; our commitment to engaging with our community; and our belief that we can make positive changes for people and nature.

Our protocols might look different as you enter and exit, our forms might look different, our cleaning procedures have been adapted but the true core of our work remains the same and always will. And with this spirit in mind, we want to wish you all a warm welcome to TNNS!

With excitement and anticipation of a new year,

Emily & Kate and the whole TNNS team!

Over the last three months we have missed our preschool children dearly! We always cherish the closing months of the school year, mostly outside amidst the warm spring air and blossoms, soaking up every moment of being together. It is a time of joy, layered with some sadness, as we bid farewell to children heading off to kindergarten. It is a time of reflection, and of savouring our relationships and teaching. Although we were not physically together these past few months, we still did that other work- the thinking about our year and the feeling about our year.

Last Wednesday’s End of Year Celebration was indeed a very different ending to our school year than years past. Knowing we could not create our typical party-like large gathering, we remained committed to providing some kind of special closure to our year – an event with lots of positive energy that children and families would remember.

We are so proud of our amazing team for launching into this creative day- thank you Shantelle, Katharina, Tricia, Berta and Chloe! We also feel very honoured to have Lesley and Barry with us, our committed and long standing volunteers. Thank you also to Scott and Derrick for their support in planning and talking through the many logistic details with us.  And we were so happy to have Misuzu and Heidi joining us for the day! The Thompson Board recognized their many contributions to TNNS with  lovely gifts: each received an original watercolour, painted by Alana Hansen, of their own favourite place within Terra Nova Rural Park.

Here are just a few images of us prepping for the day; there are so many more images held warmly in our memories.

It is with big hearts that we bid this school year farewell. We are honoured to have guided your children through their learning, and hope we have offered them a sense of wonder, curiosity, love, and joy that will be carried forward into their future.

With appreciation, love and gratitude,

Emily & Kate