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February 14th, 2025

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Nurturing Nourishment

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The facilitator of the group will be responsible for noting:
1) Date & Name of Facilitator
2) P.A.T.H. examples from each group member (Present,
Authentic, speak your Truth, and Human)- this is in connection to your role as a future educator
3) Outstanding Questions group may have (readings, course expectations)
4) Early Childhood Sector News/Social Media
5) Attendance of group members

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Early Childhood Sector News/ Social Media:

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Early Childhood Sector News/ Social Media:

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The Ontario Student Nutrition Program is a universal program open to all students. Children may come to school hungry for a number of reasons including: lengthy bus commutes, early morning sports practices, not being hungry when they wake up, lack of food in the home, and/or busy family routines in the morning. School nutrition programs offer a wonderful opportunity for all children to have access to fresh fruits and vegetables they need to fuel their young minds and to develop life-long healthy eating patterns.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/food-nutrition-schools-federal-provincial-snacks-meals-1.7450345

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Ontario Student Nutrition Program - Southwest Region

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WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM? The Ontario Student Nutrition Program is a universal program open to all students. Children may come to school hungry for a number of reasons including: lengthy …

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Gangamma Mukkatira

Sarah Barichello

Asma Sultana

Ankita Bhalla

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How can educators incorporate nurturing nourishment into daily classroom routines?

How does proper nutrition impact children's ability to focus and learn in school?

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As an early childhood educator, nurturing nourishment means more than simply serving nutritious meals, it involves fostering a positive, supportive atmosphere where children feel secure, appreciated, and motivated to choose healthy options.
As an educator, being completely engaged or being present involves demonstrating nutritious eating practices, encouraging conversations about food and emotions, and fostering a welcoming, non-judgmental atmosphere where children cultivate a lasting positive connection with nourishment. It involves recognizing that every child is unique and ensuring that their physical and emotional needs are met through both nourishment and loving care.
For example, during snack or lunch times, as an educator, we can promote a calm and inviting atmosphere by playing soft background tunes, participating with the children, and engaging them in meaningful conversations about the meals they are eating. The teacher can ask some questions, "What colors are present on your plate?" or "How does this food make your body feel?" This helps children become more aware of their eating habits while also improving their vocabulary and social skills.

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As an early childhood educator,the truth about food and nutrition means offering transparent, age-appropriate and supportive guidance to assist children develop a healthy relationship with food.I will discuss about balanced, nourishing and mindful choices rather than labeling food as "good " or "bad".for instance, I will say "everyday food" -fruits and vegetables and "sometimes foods"-cookies, chocolates to support balanced choices without guilt. Above all, i will practice what i teach by displaying healthy eating habits and construct food discussions.

By speaking the truth in a positive and interactive way,I can help children to develop lifelong confidence in making balanced and nourishing choices. a as educator,I will focus to appreciate culturally diverse food and embrace varied food traditions and encourage children to share their experience and favorite cuisines in order to promote inclusivity. i will try to organize pot luck where children will bring and share different cuisine from their culture.this will encourage curiosity. and appreciation.

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Nurturing nourishment is an integral part for growing children. As an educator it is very important to be authentic about nurturing nourishment in children. I can be authentic by focusing on the nutrient density such as, foods that are rich in vitamins and antioxidants should be picked. For example, Fresh fruits and vegetables, canned foods with no added sugar. Protein rich foods like lentils and fish and lastly healthy fats like seeds and avocados. As an ECE, I can be authentic by being a role model. I will let the children see me eating healthy foods and I will talk about the benefits of healthy eating explaining them 'how it helps them to grow strong and gain energy to play'. During lunch time, I will offer them small portions to try not pressurizing them to finish everything on the plates. By limiting sugary drinks and encouraging regular physical activity will help children to be strong and maintain healthy weight. Lastly, I will communicate with families about making healthy eating choices and support their children at home.

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Nutritional nourishment in the classroom is essential to integrate both emotional and physical wellness into the educational experience. Being human as an educator, it is vital to support the students well-being. Modelling healthy behaviours by demonstrate positive attitude towers nutrition by incorporating healthy foods into classroom activities, sharing own experience with nutritional eating and discussing its benefits. As an educator by fostering relationships based on trust and respect, I can create a safe space where children feel comfortable expressing their needs and preferences including their nutritional needs. Integrating nutritional education into the classroom and engaging in activities such as cooking projects, gardening and discussions about healthy living, This empowers children to make informed choices about their diets and understand the implications of nutrition.

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The facilitator of the group will be responsible for noting:
1) Date & Name of Facilitator
2) P.A.T.H. examples from each group member (Present,
Authentic, speak your Truth, and Human)- this is in connection to your role as a future educator
3) Outstanding Questions group may have (readings, course expectations)
4) Early Childhood Sector News/Social Media
5) Attendance of group members

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February 24th, 2025

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Gangamma Mukkatira

Sarah Barichello

Asma Sultana

Ankita Bhalla

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Language and child development

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Early Childhood Sector News/ Social Media:

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Early Childhood Sector News/ Social Media:

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Workforce issues

The number of full-time RECEs in Ontario child care programs increased since March 2022, but the sector still faces a risk of labor shortage.

Many ECEs are leaving the sector due to low wages, inconsistent working conditions, and high turnover.

The Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario (AECEO) advocates for higher wages and better working conditions.

Funding

The Ontario government is working on a new funding formula for child care.

The government plans to reduce child care fees to $10 a day by March 2026.

The cost of child care in Ontario is among the highest in Canada.

Child care costs

Some centers struggle to find and keep enough staff to operate at full capacity.

The cost of child care cannot be tied to parent fees.

Affordable high quality child care cannot be provided through the market.

For-profit child care

The Ontario child care community distances itself from a group of for-profit child care owners who are staging rolling closures.

The Ford government is trying to expand for-profit child care.

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Being present as an early childhood educator (ECE) in language and child development is crucial for fostering children's growth and learning. When educators are fully engaged and attentive, they create a supportive environment where children feel valued and heard. This presence allows ECEs to observe and understand each child's unique communication style and developmental needs. To promote language development, ECEs can engage in meaningful conversations with children, ask open-ended questions, and actively listen to their responses. Incorporating songs, storytelling, and interactive play can also enhance language skills. Additionally, creating a print-rich environment, filled with books and visual materials, encourages vocabulary expansion and comprehension. Moreover, being present means noticing when children may need extra support or encouragement. By building strong relationships and fostering a sense of belonging, ECEs can help children feel more comfortable expressing themselves. This, in turn, nurtures their confidence and fosters a love of learning that lasts a lifetime. Ultimately, being present in these moments not only supports language development but also strengthens the overall emotional and social growth of each child.

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As an Early Childhood Educator, I strive to be authentic with children by engaging with them in ways that are simple and easy to understand, giving them great support for their language and child development. This means using simple and clear language, listening to their ideas and emotions, and responding to their natural concern and interest. The everyday experiences and familiar contexts are integrated into our conversations and activities to provide the chance to have meaningful interactions. I make myself available and approachable, so children feel valued, understood, and confident to express themselves.

For Example:  During a Storytime session,  I noticed that one child was particularly interested in animals. To relate to the child, I read a story about animals and used animal-themed props to make the story come to life.  After reading the story, I got the child and the other children to talk about the animals they like and why they like them. We then drew and labeled an ‘Animal Adventures’ board game and the children role-played being their favorite animal and acting out different scenarios. This activity helped the children to learn new words and maintain a conversation but also helped them to use their imagination and interact with their peers in a group. This approach also helps build trust and rapport with the children, making them feel valued and understood while promoting their cognitive and social-emotional growth.

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Being an Early childhood educator, speaking my truth means being deeply engaged and purposeful in the way i support language and child development. It goes beyond adhering the rigid curriculum,emphasizing the understanding that each child has a unique distinct way of learning and expressing. I firmly believe that a sense of security and confidence is essential for children to express themselves freely. Rather than correcting mispronunciation harshly, i demonstrate the right way naturally in my conversation. For instance: " I goed to the restaurant yesterday." Oh really, you went to the restaurant yesterday?" This strategy will keep the conversation flowing naturally without the child being discouraged.Also, my teaching reflects my values- I practice patience, support children at their individual pace and foster meaningful learning experience. I prefer natural learning rhythm and avoid treating language as a simple milestone. Rather, I aim to create a supportive environment that empowers children to express themselves openly,knowing they are understood and valued.

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To be a 'Human' for the language and child development, I feel that an ECE has to have an holistic approach. I feel that I can demonstrate 'Human' aspect of Path by first recognizing the interconnectedness with other areas of development in children like social, emotional and cognitive development keeping in mind cultural backgrounds and their strengths and needs. In the classroom I will keenly observe each child's unique styles of communication and at what stage of development do they stand while respecting individual's pace of development. I feel that these observations will help me create language-rich environments such as storytelling, singing in different languages and greeting in the child's language will also help to build trust with the child. I will ask children open- ended questions and will encourage them to expand their utterances by introducing them to new words. Apart from providing safe learning environment for the children I also believe in active listening and responding to children when they try to communicate. A very good example of helping children with language development is the circle time that I do at my workplace, where we all sing different songs and children say their name and the emotion they feel. This activity helps children to identify and express emotions through language.

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The facilitator of the group will be responsible for noting:
1) Date & Name of Facilitator
2) P.A.T.H. examples from each group member (Present,
Authentic, speak your Truth, and Human)- this is in connection to your role as a future educator
3) Outstanding Questions group may have (readings, course expectations)
4) Early Childhood Sector News/Social Media
5) Attendance of group members

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March 14th, 2025

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Asma Sultana

Ankita Bhalla

Gangamma Mukkatira

Sarah Barichello

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How often does the child share toys or materials with others?

Does the child show concern when another child is hurt or upset?

How does the child handle disagreements with peers?

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Early Childhood Sector News/ Social Media:

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Early Childhood Sector News/ Social Media:

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UNICEF emphasizes that early childhood development (ECD) is crucial for a child's holistic development, including their social and emotional well-being, which is deeply connected to moral development.

They highlight the importance of nurturing care, which includes responsive caregiving, as a key factor in shaping a child's moral compass.

Reference

https://www.unicef.org/media/145336/file/Early_Childhood_Development_-_UNICEF_Vision_for_Every_Child.pdf

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                                                                  P.A.T.H. Example:  

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                                                                  P.A.T.H. Example:  

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Moral Development

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To recognize the moral development in children, I as an ECE can show the presence by involving in observations and being an active listener by considering the children's emotional responses. I feel by keenly observing the children's play such as, what they play, how they play, and with whom they share their toys with. I would be able to recognize their feelings and respond to them accordingly. For example, at my workplace pre schoolers were playing with cars and ramps when they had a conflict between them for who would go first. I was able to recognize their moral dilemma through Kohlberg's framework of children's understand of rules and morality. I was able to foster moral development by modeling ethical behaviour, showing them how to take turns and deal with conflicts by engaging them in talks about rules and empathy. When these children grow up they will develop a sense of conscience and begin to understand that their actions could have good and/or bad consequences. Hence by paying close attention to children's interactions and play, I as an ECE can better understand how children can develop their senses of right and wrong.

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As an early childhood educator, speaking the truth means sharing the difficulties of influencing children to know right from wrong. I understand that children’s moral development is a complex and expanded process and that children learn about right and wrong as they grow. I understand that every child has a different background, for instance, cultural background or personal experiences that may affect their moral reasoning.

For example, there was a time when I was working with a child who was two years old, and the child took a toy from another child during play time. When I talked to him about it, I needed to step back and try to see things from his perspective. It turned out that they had not been taught to share at home and were acting like normal two-year-olds. I tried to make the child understand how the other child may have felt and explained to the child the importance of sharing and being nice to others. This was not just an episode of discipline since it was also an opportunity to teach my students about empathy, fairness, and respect, which are important in morality.

From this experience, I realized that moral values should be taught with patience and persistence. It is not just a matter of rewarding but of showing and encouraging good behaviour like kindness and fairness, so that they can have a secure environment to learn them.

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Being human is a basic aspect of moral development in children. It emphasizes the significance of kindness, sympathy, and understanding in transforming children's ethical development. As an aspiring educator, embracing the human component means identifying children's emotions, acknowledging their emotions, and assisting them through moral dilemmas in a supportive and nurturing way. As an ECE, it is important to accept that every child has unique experiences, perspectives, and struggles and, therefore, they must be supported accordingly. In addition, teachers must display ethical behavior in interactions with students so they learn by example. Educators must respond to children's struggles with patience rather than strict discipline. To elaborate, I observed a preschooler who was upset because he was isolated from a game by his peers. Instead of simply telling children to include everyone, I took a human-centered strategy by sitting down with them and asking peers to reflect on how they would feel if they were in the same situation. Also, I facilitated a discussion on kindness and empathy, guiding them to understand the consequences of their actions. As a result, it would ensure that moral development is not just about discipline but about enabling children to cultivate values like empathy, compassion, and kindness.

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As an Early Childhood Educator (ECE), being authentic with moral values is essential in shaping the social and emotional development of young children. This involves consistently modeling behaviors such as honesty, empathy, and respect in everyday interactions, which in turn encourages children to adopt similar values. Creating a nurturing environment where ethical discussions can take place—whether through storytelling, cooperative play, or reflective conversations—allows children to explore moral concepts in a relatable way. Furthermore, establishing clear expectations and guidelines fosters a sense of community responsibility and belonging, helping children to navigate their social world. Ultimately, an ECE who demonstrates genuine moral integrity not only influences the immediate learning environment but also lays the groundwork for children’s lifelong moral reasoning and ethical behavior.

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The facilitator of the group will be responsible for noting:
1) Date & Name of Facilitator
2) P.A.T.H. examples from each group member (Present,
Authentic, speak your Truth, and Human)- this is in connection to your role as a future educator
3) Outstanding Questions group may have (readings, course expectations)
4) Early Childhood Sector News/Social Media
5) Attendance of group members

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March 19 ,2025

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How can we effectively apply Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences in diverse classrooms, especially when some intelligences, such as musical or bodily-kinesthetic, are not typically emphasized in traditional educational systems?

How can educators avoid the cultural biases highlighted in the discussion of IQ tests and their limitations, ensuring fair and inclusive practices?

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Cognitive Development

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Ankita Bhalla

Asma Sultana

Gangamma Mukkatira

Sarah Barichello

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As an Early Childhood Educator, being human with the children in my care is key to supporting their cognitive development. By showing empathy, warmth, and genuine interest in their ideas and thoughts, I create an environment to make them feel valued and comfortable. When a child asks me, for instance, why the sky is blue, I do not only give a simple answer but also continue the conversation. I enhance their critical thinking and creativity by telling them stories and letting them play imaginatively.

I also model and guide them on how to control their emotions and solve issues when they are upset or have a dispute, contributing to their emotional as well as cognitive development. This allows me to connect with children deeper, building strong relationships and making them confident, curious, and love for learning. This connection is not only important for their cognitive development but also lays a strong foundation for their lifelong journey of exploration and discovery.

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As an early childhood educator, being present means actively engaging in each child’s learning journey, actively observing how they approach tasks, and responding promptly to their developmental needs.

Supporting cognitive development requires emphasizing on how children think, resolve problems, and interact with materials during learning activities. Being present means observing when a child struggles with a task and providing appropriate guidance to deepen their understanding. In addition, emotional availability: Emotional states influence cognitive development, so being aware of a child’s emotions is key. For instance, if a child is feeling anxious or frustrated, their ability to focus and engage cognitively can be impacted. As an educator, recognizing these emotions and addressing them allows children to feel safe and supported, which is essential for learning. As an early childhood educator, it is important to practice mindfulness in order to remain fully present and attentive to each child's cognitive development. By alleviating distractions and emphasizing the child's needs in the moment, educators can provide meaningful support, encouraging children to explore and understand new concepts effectively. This attentiveness enriches learning experiences and supports cognitive development.

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Early childhood sector news/Social Media:

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Early childhood sector news/Social Media:

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Educators are increasingly adopting trauma-informed teaching strategies to create supportive classroom environments that benefit all students, not just those who have experienced trauma.

eSchool News. (2024, May 28). Trauma-informed teaching strategies benefit all students. https://www.eschoolnews.com/sel/2024/05/28/trauma-informed-teaching-strategies-benefit-all-students

Healey-Driscoll administration launches new early education and child care mental health resources. https://www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-launches-new-early-education-and-child-care-mental-health-resources.

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I feel I can be Authentic as an ECE in cognitive development by encouraging children to identify the skills that they will apply in their play and their learning experiences such as, problem-solving skills and understanding the affects of for their actions. I will ask them questions during an building tower activity like, " How did you figure out how to build that tower?". I will create meaningful activities and themes keeping in mind the interests of children for example, if they are learning about animals, I will create opportunities for them to explore problem-solving related to building habitats. I will help children to understand how these skills will benefit them in their lives such as, making friends, when facing with conflicts, and to achieve a goal in life. I fell authenticity also requires keen observation. I will offer them choices to engage with cognitive challenges which will help them to feel more confident over their learning. I will try to make their learning feel real and relevant for their lives. By modeling how to explore and be curious, I would make them value their ways of thinking by providing opportunities for genuine exploration and curiosity for their surroundings. Lastly, I feel that when learning is authentic children are more motivated and are able to use their cognitive skills when they are faced with new challenges and situations.

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As an early childhood educator, being honest is very important for helping young children grow and learn. When teachers are truthful, it creates a safe space where kids can explore, ask questions, and make sense of the world around them. This honesty builds trust and sparks curiosity, which are both essential for children’s development.

When educators provide clear information and encourage open conversations, they help kids think critically and connect different ideas. It’s also important for teachers to recognize that each child learns at their own pace, which leads to a more inclusive and effective way of teaching. By demonstrating honesty and clarity, early childhood educators inspire children to engage with their education and foster a lifelong love of learning and understanding.