My name is Chanel DeGraw, and I live in Blind River, a small town in Northern Ontario with a population of about 3,600. I chose the Early Childhood Education program because of my deep passion for learning and my love for working with children. As a mother of two young daughters, the flexibility of this online program has allowed me to balance my education with the demands of a busy home life.

I have always felt a strong sense of love and fulfillment from nurturing growth, whether in people, relationships, or even in nature. That deep appreciation for watching things grow and flourish is what led me to this field. Coming from a large family and being surrounded by children most of my life, I’ve developed a strong desire to help others, especially young children, thrive. I want to support their development, encourage their potential, and help them succeed in any way I can.

By pursuing this career, I hope to make a meaningful and lasting impact in the lives of the children and families I work with, and to contribute positively to my community.

An infographic for Healthy Brain Development

A Case Study to Support Ben's Development

Assignment 2 - Reimagining Educational Beliefs

*Courses:

ECED-1003 Emotional Development & Early Relations

ECED-1074 Child Development: Intro

ECED-1075 Child Development: 0-3 Years

ECED-3038Child Development: 3-6 Years

ECED-3039Child Development: 6-12 Years

*Reflection: The infographic on Healthy Brain Development demonstrates my understanding of how cognitive, language, physical, social, and emotional growth are interconnected during the early years. By clearly outlining the stages and influences on brain development, this artifact shows my ability to translate complex developmental research into accessible, visually engaging information for families and educators.

The case study supporting Ben’s development highlights my ability to apply child development theory to practice. Drawing from knowledge gained in Child Development: Intro, Child Development: 0–3 Years, and Child Development: 3–6 Years, I was able to assess Ben’s strengths and needs across all developmental domains—cognitive, language, social-emotional, and physical—and recommend strategies that foster growth in each area.

Both artifacts reflect learning from Emotional Development & Early Relations by recognizing the role of secure relationships and responsive caregiving in supporting healthy development. My paper on reimagining educational beliefs discusses the developmental benefits of different approaches to education and my personal views to provide the best care possible. Together, they demonstrate my ability to integrate theory and observation into practical strategies that promote holistic growth in young children.

Movement and Music Video

Parent Hand-out for a Field Trip

Program Review

*Courses:

ECED-3042 Curriculum & Pedagogy: 3-6 Years

ECED-1076 Curriculum & Pedagogy: 0-3 Years

*Reflection:

The Movement and Music video demonstrates my ability to design engaging, developmentally appropriate activities that support children’s physical, cognitive, and social-emotional growth. By integrating rhythm, movement, and group participation, I created a purposeful experience that fosters gross motor skills, coordination, and cooperation.

The Parent Hand-out for a Field Trip highlights my skill in designing programs that connect learning experiences to families, clearly communicating both logistical details and developmental benefits. It reflects my understanding of how to create intentional, meaningful experiences that extend learning beyond the classroom. My Program review is a critical analysis of the curriculum and development a local after school program to my community.

Together, these artifacts showcase my strengths in program and curriculum development, illustrating how I plan, implement, and communicate activities that are both educationally rich and family-centered, aligning with my learning in Curriculum & Pedagogy: 0–3 Years and 3–6 Years.

Community Resource Artifact

Family Interview Artifact

Elevator Talk

*Courses:

ECED-3022Partnerships with Families

COMM-3082Communications for Community Studies

PSYC-1101Interpersonal Development

*Reflection:

The Community Resource artifact shows my ability to research and share local supports that benefit families, promoting children’s overall well-being. The Family Interview artifact demonstrates my skill in building rapport, asking thoughtful questions, and listening actively to understand family perspectives. My Elevator Talk slideshow highlights a local community partnership that is full of resources to help support children in my care as an ECE.

These artifacts reflect learning from Partnerships with Families, Communications for Community Studies, and Interpersonal Development by showing how I apply effective communication and relationship-building strategies. They highlight my understanding of how strong family partnerships and access to resources support children’s development and success.

Slideshow on the Importance of Outdoor Play for Children Ages 0-3

Infographic: Why Anti-bias Education Matters in Early Learning

Elected Official: A letter of advocacy for ECEs

*Courses:

ECED-3037Inclusive Practice

ECED-3040Professionalism, Ethics & Advocacy

SOCI-3003Canadian Families Change & Diversity

ECED-3041Understanding Child Abuse & Neglect

*Reflection:

These artifacts highlight my advocacy for children, families, and early childhood educators. The slideshow on outdoor play emphasizes the importance of creating environments that support children’s growth, exploration, and learning. The anti-bias education infographic reflects my commitment to fostering inclusive spaces where all children feel valued. My letter to an elected official on current problems facing the ECE community highlights my advocacy not just for the profession, but for children and families in our care. Together, they show my dedication to promoting equitable, enriching experiences and supporting families and educators in providing the best start for every child.

A review of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice

"Over Diagnosing in the Early Years"

"Reflection 2": A personal reflection on how to encounter situations of child abuse

Discussion 2 - An academic discussion about the view of disabilities in the early learning environment

*Courses:

ECED-1005 Health Safety & Nutrition in ECE

ECED-1084Foundations of ECE

ECED-3041Understanding Child Abuse & Neglect

*Reflection:

Writing my paper on “Over Diagnosing in the Early Years” and reviewing the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice deepened my understanding of how health, safety, and professional regulations guide early childhood educators. The paper emphasized the importance of carefully observing and assessing children while avoiding unnecessary diagnoses, ensuring that each child’s development is respected. The review reinforced how following ethical principles and standards of practice supports safe, informed decision-making in early learning environments. My personal reflection on handling child abuse situations in the work place highlights my passion for protecting children's rights, and our legal responsibilities as ECEs. The academic discussion about how disabilities are viewed in the classroom compares the biomedical view of disability to the social model view, explaining how to create a more inclusive environment for everyone.

Together, these artifacts highlight my role as an advocate for children’s well-being. They demonstrate my commitment to promoting safe and healthy practices, adhering to professional regulations, and supporting families and colleagues with accurate, ethical guidance in early childhood education.

Research Paper on Secure Attachments

Nature Nurture Research Paper

Residential Schools Research Paper

Technology in Child Development Research Paper

*Courses:

ECED-1003Emotional Development & Early Relations

ECED-3038Child Development: 3-6 Years

ECED-1075Child Development: 0-3 Years

ECED-3041Understanding Child Abuse & Neglect

*Reflection:

Completing the research papers on Secure Attachments and Nature vs. Nurture allowed me to strengthen my research skills and deepen my professional knowledge in child development. Through these projects, I practiced gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing information from multiple sources to understand complex developmental concepts and apply them to early childhood education. My research paper on residential schools opened my eyes to issues that I didn't know so many families around me were struggling with, helping me understand how to be a better ECE. Technology in the early years is a research paper, highlighting that technology can be harmful or beneficial in the learning environment depending on how it is implemented.

These artifacts demonstrate my commitment to ongoing professional learning and evidence-based practice. They reflect my ability to critically examine research, make informed decisions, and use current knowledge to support children’s emotional and developmental growth, ultimately enhancing my effectiveness as an early childhood educator.

My First Aid & CPR-C Qualifications

My Resume

How Does Learning Happen?

College of ECEs: Resources

The Association of Early Childhood Educators in Ontario