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I thoughtfully extended the child’s play by adding carved wooden tree trunks alongside Indigenous figurines. We carefully arranged the materials, creating scenes that reflected relationships, movement, and connection to the land. Through this play, the child asked questions, expressed ideas, and shared stories; demonstrating a sense of belonging. This experience connects to the Early Learning Framework by supporting identity, well-being, and communication. The use of natural and culturally respected materials encouraged imagination, confidence, while honoring the child’s voice and their relationship with the land.

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I watched the children come together in a burst of imagination and teamwork. They began lining up the chairs one by one, creating a long, straight row down the aisle of the room. One child announced proudly, “We’re making a school bus!” The others immediately joined in, helping adjust the chairs so everyone could “fit.”

I brought over a few round pillows, and the children placed them against the sides of the chairs. “These are the wheels!” they said. Their ability to repurpose familiar materials showed just how deeply they were thinking and imagining.

When I brought over more pillows, the group quickly handed one to the child seated in the very front. “Here’s your steering wheel!” they told them. Once everyone was seated, we all sang “The Wheels on the Bus”.  Their voices were full of joy, and the room felt alive with imagination, music, and shared play.

This moment showed me how naturally children collaborate, negotiate roles, and create meaning together when given time, space, and open-ended materials.

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1. Competencies:

Goal #1 - Family Partnerships: As becoming an ECE educator, I would like to build strong, trusting relationships with parents. One of my goals finishing up my second practicum would be to strengthen these connections by being more intentional, consistent, and open in my communication. This includes greeting families warmly each day, actively listening to their concerns, and sharing observations about their child’s learnings and strengths. I aim to create a welcoming environment where parents feel seen, heard, and supported- by maintaining regular check-ins, offering opportunities for collaboration, holding parent meetings, Make & Take nights as well as special events.

Goal #2 - Relationships with Program Staff and Other Professionals: This is a tricky one for me as all that staff in my childcare centre are all relatively closely related to one another. I recognize the importance of building strong, collaborative relationships with my coworkers—even more so because we are closely related. I want to continue strengthening these relationships by maintaining clear communication, respecting professional boundaries, and valuing each person’s role within the team. My goal is to approach our work with openness and consistency, ensuring that our family connections support our teamwork rather than complicate it.

Goal #3 - Planning and Providing Opportunities: As for my last goal finishing up my second practicum, I would like to take more lead on planning and providing learning opportunities for the children in my childcare centre. This includes accessing and contributing appropriate resources and materials, that I have gained in my studies, for the children and staff. Broaden my knowledge on techniques to enhance children's development and learning.

2. Self-Evaluation and Reflection:

I approach reflection as a holistic process, recognizing that growth happens through strengthening relationships, personal awareness and meaningful connections. I can say I regularly reflect on my actions, interactions and decision making, aiming to ensure they align with the ECEBC Code of Ethics. Through the NVIT IECE program, I have become more intentional about examining how my values and biases have impacted my practice. I continue to identify areas for improvement. I have attended many professional trainings such as Mother Goose, Lets Talk about Touching, and Moe the Mouse; that I believe have strengthened my role as an ECE educator as well as my commitment.