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Presenter: Daniel Poliszczuk, PhD Candidate, Developmental Psychology and Education, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto

Exploring the many elements of children's well-being and the relational and systemic factors that impact healthy child development.

• Children’s Well-Being - A selective review of the contribution of Workplace Wellness in ECEC (PDF Presentation)

Presenter: Brendon Goodmurphy, Policy Development Officer, Toronto Children's Services

Defining child and family well-being in Toronto. This workshop will cover the shared outcomes project, which identifies 5 child outcomes and 5 family outcomes developed through a community engagement process. As the project moves through the data collection phase, learn more about how shared outcomes can help the child and family sector work collectively to improve well-being.

• Well-being Outcomes for Children and Families (PDF Presentation)

Presenter: Jane Bertrand, Adjunct Faculty, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, and Program Director, Margaret and Wallace McCain Family Foundation

A review of recent studies that examine effective pedagogy and organization of post-secondary early childhood programs.

• Professional Learning for Early Childhood Educators (PDF Presentation)

Presenter: Romona Gananathan, PhD, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto

This workshop explores the legal and policy implications for early childhood professionals in FDK including the impact of law and policy on the wages, working conditions and professional status of RECEs in FDK.

Presenter: Chaya Kulkarni, Director, Infant Mental Health Promotion, Hospital for Sick Children

The Infant Mental Health Promotion (IMHP) at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto is a community based coalition of individuals and professional agencies dedicated to promoting optimal mental health outcomes for infants in the first three years of life. This presentation will share some of the evaluation data findings and lessons learned in the development and delivery of a wide spread initiative to engage and empower professionals and encourage collaboration in their work with infants and toddlers.

Presenter: Melanie Viglas, PhD, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto

The use of mindfulness-based programs to address overall wellbeing is increasing rapidly. This research investigated the impact of a 6 week mindfulness-based program on young children’s self-regulation, prosocial behavior and hyperactivity in four full-day kindergarten classrooms.

• Benefits of a Mindfulness-Based Program in Early Childhood Classrooms (PDF Presentation)

Presenter: Ann Anderson, Speech/Language Program Coordinator, Rainy River District School Board

This study investigated whether the current standardized speech and language assessment tools appropriately and accurately measure the speech and language development of First Nations children in the Rainy River District. The research sample consisted of 429 early learning students from the Rainy River District School Board and The Fluharty Preschool Speech and Language Screening Test was the assessment tool utilized.

• In search of an effective method of measuring First Nations children’s speech and language development. (PDF Presentation)

Presenters: Joey Reeder, Toronto Urban Fellow, Toronto Children’s Services, and David Lee, Consultant, Toronto Children’s Services

How we use our definition of well-being to influence local planning for child and family services in Toronto. This workshop will update on the development of a local planning strategy for Toronto, which builds off the results of a February community symposium held by the Toronto Child and Family Network. Join us to learn about how better local planning can impact well-being by improving both access for families and the capacity of professionals in the field.

• Setting the Roadmap for More Effective Community Services (PDF Presentation)

Presenters: 

• Isabel Zatti, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Nursery Schools Play and Learn Site
• Silvia Souto, Resource Consultant, Community Outreach Service, Early Learning and Development Team, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation
• Nancy Searl, Collaborative Practice Leader, Early Learning and Development Leader

With over a century of dedication to improving the quality of life for children with disabilities and their families, Holland Bloorview’s Collaborative Practice Service supports professionals and inter-professional practice with structures and processes that build engaged, resilient practitioners primed to elevate and transform care in a culture of innovation, inquiry and compassion.

Presenters: 

• Tasha Palmer, Lead RECE, Jean Tweed Child Development Centre
• Meredith Maw, Supervisor, Jean Tweed Child Development Centre
• Safra Najeemudeen, 360 Kids Family Resource Centre

Early Childhood Educators work in a range of community programs designed to promote the well-being of children and families. Both the Jean Tweed Centre and Thorncliffe Park Neighborhood Office invest in staff to build their capacity to be effective in these dynamic transformation environments.

Presenter: Shannon Fuller, Ministry Early Years Division, Director, Business Planning, Outcomes and Assessment Branch

The Ministry will provide an overview of the Child Care Modernization Act, 2014(CCEYA), the work to support proclamation of Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 and highlight key aspects of the proposed regulations under the CCEYA.

• Child Care Modernization Act, 2014 (PDF Presentation)

Presenters: Charles Pascal, Professor, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, and Kerry McCuaig, Fellow in Early Childhood Policy, Atkinson Centre, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto

Report author Charles Pascal in conversation with the Atkinson Centre policy fellow, Kerry McCuaig. The Pascal plan for reforming early education and children’s services promised a revolution in education when it was released in 2009. Has it delivered and how?