Empowered Play Connections

31/07/2024

I am 🥳 celebrating the launch of my new course:

🎨 Process Art & Exploration 🎨

And what better way to celebrate than to offer a sweet discount?

Use coupon code: CELEBRATE
to receive 50% off until August 4th!

https://www.udemy.com/course/process-art-exploration/?couponCode=CELEBRATE

📝What will early educators learn in this course?

🎨the difference between process art and product art

🎨examples of what process art can look like

🎨how to create longer art explorations that may be explored by children over the course of several classes or weeks

🎨the extensive benefits of process art for children

🎨the questions that I often ask myself that really ignite out of the box creativity when setting up process art explorations for children & how you can use these question to become a master at presenting engaging art explorations in your own classroom

🎨all about the art supplies that I recommend including using recyclable materials in art projects

🎨tips and tricks that will guide you in building your art supply on even the strictest budget

🎨the benefits of having a 'yes mindset' and how saying yes can greatly influence process art and empower children

🎨numerous process art explorations that I have done in my own classroom, with photos and extensive explanations, These examples will provide educators with ideas that can easily be incorporated into their own classrooms & ideas that can be adapted to fit their own needs.

🎨ideas on how to change up process art explorations

🎨WHY it's important to have art supplies always accessible to children, what art materials I recommend to have available and tips on how to store them

Once purchased you have lifetime access to the course!

*offer expires August 4th, 2024

*EPC Members have free access to this course on teachable

How to become a master at creating fantastic art invitations for young children.

10/07/2024

We LOVE cardboard boxes in preschool & I love creating process art explorations.

Check out how one giant box became 4 process art activities.

Are you an early educator looking for:

🐝 Process art inspiration?

🐝 Tips & questions that will help you become a master at pulling together process art exploration for the children in your care?

Find the full Process Art & Exploration webinar here:

https://empoweredplayconnections.com/p/empoweredplayconnectionsmembership

08/07/2024

Child-led & play centred programs are being recognized as best practice.

I know that ditching themed learning & cute crafts that look adorable on your bulletin board can be daunting. I believe embracing PROCESS ART is one of the most important steps you can take as an early educator to create a child led space.

I’ve created a webinar that:

🐝 outlines the benefits of process art

🐝 defines process and product art with examples of each so you can easily identify the differences

🐝 shares a list of questions I ask myself when I’m feeling creatively blocked and need inspiration to create process art explorations for my preschool students

🐝 talks about how to have a well stocked art supply on even the strictest budget 💵

🐝 has an extensive list of supplies that will help you become an expert out of the box thinker & art creator

🐝 and so much more!

Available via teachable too all EPC members.
Memberships start at just $10/month

(📧become an email subscriber to get a discount code!)

https://empoweredplayconnections.com/p/empoweredplayconnectionsmembership

📋📌P.S all those lists I previously mentioned that are in the webinar? I made them into convenient, downloadable & printable pdf. Documents so you can keep them handy for inspiration or share them with parents/coworkers

05/07/2024

My co-teacher recently texted me with a cool play exploration idea inspired by a social media post she saw. This particular idea involved our water tables and hot wheels ramps. It’s going to get messy 🥳

As early educators we want to say ‘yes’ to children. We want to let them freely explore & learn through play.

However sanity & safety rules always come into play.

🤔Inside the classroom I’d have to:

• manage the spilled water on the floor to prevent an accident or damage to the flooring 🌊

• limit the space used because the classroom is only so big 🤷🏼‍♀️

• control how much water is being used 💧

🌲But outside….

We’ve got loads of space 🌻

The grass can always use a bit of water 🤓

We can be noisier in our excitement 🥳

More Yes and Less Worry About The Mess.

25/06/2024

Process Art & Cultivating Curiosity are topics I am extremely passionate about!

I love presenting materials to young children, standing back and watching them explore. The ways children think up to use something as simple as a piece of cardboard amazes & inspires me.

In my upcoming webinar I’m talking allll about process art:

🐝 What it is.

🐝 Why process art is an incredible tool in early learning

🐝 How to create process art explorations

🐝 How to have a fully stocked process art material stash on a low or no budget ( I have been there!)

🐝 Creating a ‘Yes’ environment that will encourage students to expand and explore their creativity

🐝 Lists of materials that can be used & ways to use them!

🐝 How to include Process Art when you’re playing outdoors!

The webinar goes live on July 8th BUT as an EOC member you have access to it and ALL past membership content for the duration of your membership!

Memberships are JUST $10/month or grab an annual membership & get 2 months FREE.

Sign up here ⬇️

https://empoweredplayconnections.com/p/empoweredplayconnectionsmembership

24/06/2024

Early educators you do NOT want to miss this opportunity to chat about outdoor play in early learning centres!

A bit about my background….I’ve been teaching at an outdoor focused central Alberta preschool since 2017.
We take our students outdoors *almost* everyday (I say almost because cold snaps happen!)

We utilize a variety of outdoor spaces for our nature adventures. If you are an early educator who wants to expand your outdoor programming, have questions, or want to share your own experiences….join me on July 6th at 10am MDT for Virtual Coffee & Conversation.

Let’s network & expand our knowledge together!

Register now!

https://empoweredplayconnections.com/p/virtual-coffee-conversation

19/06/2024

I LOVE Process Art. It’s my jam!

I walk into my classroom in the morning and can take a quick 👀 at my ‘art’ materials and 9/10 times come up with an exciting process art experience for my students to explore that can be set up in less than 5 minutes. No Pinterest scroll needed!

Join me as I talk about:

🐝 all the benefits to process art vs planned crafts

🐝 how to create process art explorations

🐝 how to curate a supply of free or seriously cheap art supplies

🐝 how to set up process art on multiple surfaces including: vertical surfaces (easel/whiteboard), the floor, tables, and outdoors!

🐝 get a printable list of recycling materials that can be used in process art

🐝 tips to get educators thinking outside the box and getting creative with art exploration!

Become a member today to access this LIVE webinar on July 8th or to watch it at your leisure!

https://empoweredplayconnections.com/p/empoweredplayconnectionsmembership

18/06/2024

Did you know we offer a monthly membership?

🐝Why a membership program?🐝

I wanted to be able to build a ‘library’ for early educators. A one stop shop with a variety of topics that just keeps evolving.

After taking a multiple day online course on the topic ‘Outdoor Play’ I was left feeling unsatisfied and frustrated with the lack of substance in this course.

I started thinking about all the things I wished someone had told me when I started teaching preschool & taking our class outdoors for 2.5 hours at a time. Like….dealing with forest bathroom breaks & what to pack in my back pack!

And so the EPC Membership was born.

I still teach preschool 3 days a week and am continually adding resources to the members only course. In fact….I have course content mapped out all the way until next July 🤓

If you’re looking for sensory play ideas, resources on outdoor play, virtual networking opportunities, printable resources that you can share with parents in your program, short videos on topics such as risky play and so much more….the EPC membership might just be the resource library your looking for.

📚Check it out here:

https://empoweredplayconnections.com/p/empoweredplayconnectionsmembership

17/06/2024

FREE Networking & Learning event for Early Childhood Educators:

Join me for a conversation about

🍃OUTDOOR PLAY 🍃

Virtual Coffee & Conversation events are hosted monthly and are FREE for educators.

Join the conversation!

🐝Registration required:
http://empoweredplayconnections.com/p/virtual-coffee-conversation

24/05/2024

🐝 RISKY PLAY IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS 🐝

Early educators join me as I talk about:

🐝 What is risky play?

🐝 Why risky play is beneficial to young children.

🐝 How to create an environment that encourages children to confidently take risks while playing outdoors

🐝 Strategies to help other educators or co-workers overcome hesitancy around risky play scenarios

🐝 Strategies to help you communicate effectively with parents so they understand what risky play is and feel comfortable with their children engaging in under your care

The webinar will be live on Zoom:

June 6th at 10:00am MDT

The recording will be uploaded within 5 business days to the ‘Members Only’ course in teachable. EPC members have unlimited access to all course content including past webinars, printable pdf files and videos on topics such as: outdoor play, child centred celebrations, sensory play outdoors, and more!

It’s basically a one stop shop for early educators!

Become a member today:

A monthly subscription that isn't about the latest trending early learning theory. Children are unique beings and every child's needs are unique. Let's work together to build programs that are as unique as the children we care for.

23/05/2024

Join me June 10th for a FREE networking & learning opportunity.

I am inviting all early educators to have a discussion about Child-Centred Celebrations with me at the upcoming Virtual Coffee & Conversation event.

More details or to Register now:

https://empoweredplayconnections.com/p/virtual-coffee-conversation

21/05/2024

Join me on June 6th for a live webinar where I talk about Risky Play in Early Childhood settings.

https://empoweredplayconnections.com/p/empoweredplayconnectionsmembership

13/05/2024

Upcoming online events:

JUNE 6th Live Webinar:

RISKY PLAY IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS

🐝What is risky play?

🐝 How risky play benefits young children

🐝Strategies to encourage hesitant early educators to confidently embrace a risky play environment

🐝 How do we build parents trust so they feel confident in allowing their child engage in risky play

Become an EPC Member to attend!

☕️ Virtual Coffee & Conversation ☕️

June 10th @ 6:00pm via zoom
Topic: Child Led Ceremonies

Let’s talk about Child Focused Celebrations:

🐝 What is the difference between a Child Focused Celebration and a traditional grad celebration or other adult focused event?

🐝 What are the benefits of a child focused celebration?

🐝How can we shift celebrations from adult focused occasions to child focused celebrations?

🐝 What has your experience been when trying to make the shift?

🐝 Ideas for child focused celebrations

Register for VCC ☕️ or begin your membership
www.empoweredplayconnections.com

13/05/2024

🐝🐝BIG CHANGES are coming to the EPC MEMBERSHIP 🐝🐝

Effective immediately monthly webinars will ONLY be available to EPC Members.

⁉️WHY⁉️

Well to be honest selling them individually was a lot of work for me behind the scenes & didn’t really make sense when you can purchase a monthly membership for LESS than the price of an individual webinar.

When you become a member you get access to recorded replays of ALL previous webinars + all course content + printable resources. Did I mention all this costs LESS than the price it costs for ONE MONTH as a MEMBER? 🙃

You can purchase a monthly membership and check out all the content and if you decide ‘nope, this is not for me’ you are free to cancel your membership. (I think you’ll stay because our membership is pretty awesome 😁😉)

One more thing…..

MEMBERSHIP PRICES ARE INCREASING on May 21st 2024.

If you want to join our upcoming live webinar on June 6th & all the other awesome EPC content you can become a member for just $7/month or $70/annual membership…..like I said, one month is cheaper than a single webinar!!

💰Don’t miss out on the low introductory pricing become a member today!

A monthly subscription that isn't about the latest trending early learning theory. Children are unique beings and every child's needs are unique. Let's work together to build programs that are as unique as the children we care for.

03/05/2024

One of my rules of play to ensure children are able to safely engage in risky play….approaching common pieces of playground equipment, like swings, the same way I approach risky play.

Kids need to be able to do it themselves.

30/04/2024

🐝🐝🐝 LAST DAY TO SNAG AN EPC MEMBERSHIP FOR JUST $35 CAD 🐝🐝🐝

This is the lowest price an annual membership will ever be so why not stop by and try it out?

The EPC membership was created for Early Childhood Educators who are

🐝 seeking a virtual community of early educators to connect and network with

🐝 want monthly professional development opportunities that they can work through at their own pace

🐝 seek more information on outdoor play focused early learning programs

🐝 want printable resources at their fingertips without doing the Pinterest scroll

Intrigued?

Check it out here:

https://empoweredplayconnections.com/p/empoweredplayconnectionsmembership

28/04/2024

Wondering what kind of resources are available to you when you sign up for an EPC MEMBERSHIP?

Take a peek:

🐝 access to recorded replays of all past webinars

🐝 invitations to upcoming monthly webinars for FREE

🐝 Printable pdf. Resources to share with educators in your centre or with parents

🐝 Tons of play inspiration

🐝 Sensory Play ideas that allow you to use what you have on hand

🐝 Outdoor play resources for both new to outdoor play educators & seasoned outdoor play enthusiasts

And so much more….with new content added monthly!

🥳 Use coupon code YESPLEASE to secure your membership for an entire year for JUST $35 🥳

Coupon Valid until May 1, 2024

🙉 Psst membership prices are increasing soon…trust me you don’t want miss this ‘start the 🚗’ deal!

https://empoweredplayconnections.com/p/empoweredplayconnectionsmembership

26/04/2024

🥳ATTENTION all Early Childhood Educators:

Use coupon code YESPLEASE when purchasing an ANNUAL membership to get 50% off!

Why choose to become an EPC member?

🐝You get unlimited access to all webinars...watch them at your own pace, re-watch, download and listen while you go for a walk!

🐝Members are guaranteed a spot in all Virtual Coffee & Conversation events. Imagine gathering with a group of early educators in a cozy cafe, chatting about topics like: risky play, should we force apologies?, or sensory play ideas...virtual coffee is just like that but well....virtual. A chance to network with other educators, gathering ideas, discussing hot topics and being a part of a genuine conversation.

🐝Webinars and Virtual Coffee & Conversation include topics such as but not limited to: Risky Play in ECE, Getting co-workers on board with messy play or risky play, Sensory Play, Setting up engaging play invitations using what you already have, Outdoor Play: Using Natures Materials, Loose Parts Play, Preschool Graduation or Child Focused celebrations? etc.

🐝Members have exclusive access to the MEMBERS ONLY course for the entirety of their membership! While Teachable calls it a 'course'....its more like an all inclusive place where I put ALL the exclusive member content.

🐝Don't worry...it’s separated into well labeled sections for easy learning! You can mark sections completed as you go, making it easy to find where you left off or content you haven't perused yet.

🐝Members Only has tons of resources from pdf. printable files, short videos on various relevant topics and coordinating written content on assorted topics such as loose parts play, outdoor play in winter, winter gear guides, resources you can print for parents and more!

🐝New content is added monthly. Whether you prefer to watch/listen to videos or read short informative guides the membership has something for everyone!

🐝The best part of being an EPC member? Access to the EPC community...an online gathering place for early educators. A place to ask questions, get feedback, celebrate wins, and more!

🥳🥳🥳Become a member today for just $35cad with coupon code YESPLEASE 🥳🥳🥳🥳

⭐️Code valid until May 1st 2024⭐️

A monthly subscription that isn't about the latest trending early learning theory. Children are unique beings and every child's needs are unique. Let's work together to build programs that are as unique as the children we care for.

25/04/2024

Join the conversation 🎙️

VIRTUAL COFFEE & CONVERSATION
May 9th @ 6:00pm MDT

I invite all Early Educators to join me virtually for a discussion about Risky Play.

🐝Are you wanting to learn more about how other educators manage risky play in their workplace?

🐝Do you work with someone who isn’t as comfortable with children taking small risks? Are you looking for strategies to help get others on board with risky play?

🐝Are you wanting to hear about risky play scenarios?

Join myself and other early educators at the FREE Virtual Coffee & Conversation event.

Register now:

https://empoweredplayconnections.com/p/virtual-coffee-conversation

22/04/2024

Upcoming Webinar

🌿SPRING into Sensory Play: Creative Outdoor Sensory Explorations for Young Children 🌿

Are you an early educator looking for:

🐝 more information on what sensory play is

🐝 the benefits for young children when they engage in sensory play

🐝 ideas for outdoor sensory explorations that don’t take a lot of time to set up?

🐝 sensory play that uses recycled materials and focus on using what you have versus ‘the perfect set-up’

🐝 a list of sensory play invitations that you can easily recreate or adapt to work in your outdoor space?

(Pssst these all can be adapted for indoor play too with tuff trays or a water table)

Registrations now open:

https://empoweredplayconnections.com/p/spring-sensory-play

15/04/2024

Who will benefit from an EPC Membership?

🐝 Early educators in preschool, daycare and day
home providers or any ECE program

🐝 Early educators with a passion for learning more
and connecting with other ambassadors of play

Early Educators seeking:

🐝 more engaging and unique play invitations without doing the continuous pinterest scroll

🐝 access to continuous learning opportunities on
various topics like: outdoor play, becoming an expert
oral story teller, creating an inviting play space, how to encourage risky play in a way that doesn’t feel unsafe, etc.

🐝 encouragement to embrace using the materials you have and worry less about ‘perfection' & time intensive play set ups

🐝 an opportunity to expand your library of creative
play invitations that encourage curiosity and wonder

🐝 a chance to be apart of a welcoming community of like minded educators that you can chat with about the every day challenges

Purchase an annual membership now to save BIG!

https://empoweredplayconnections.com/p/empoweredplayconnectionsmembership

P.S sign up to be a newsletter subscriber for an
exclusive discount code 💰

14/04/2024

I am working on a new series for Early Educators & members of the EPC community.

I am frequently asked questions like:

🐝 How can I convince a co-worker to allow children to engage in risky play?

🐝 How can we show co-workers learning does happen outdoors?

🐝 What can I do to help a co-worker embrace messy play when she doesn’t like cleaning up?

These types of questions have inspired me & I want to hear what you say ‘no’ to.

Drop it in the comments below & I just might feature it in my learning series!

04/04/2024

Spaces are filling fast!!!

Grab your spot & join me in a conversation about Outdoor Play in Early Childhood Settings.

What exactly will we talk about during the hour long virtual hang out?

It’s up to YOU!
Once you register you will receive an email with a brief questionnaire. I will be using the responses to curate questions and lead the discussion to topics that are relevant to the participants.

As early educators we are always seeking information & striving to be the best caregivers we can BUT we also have experiences and knowledge to share with others. Virtual Coffee & Conversation is an opportunity to sit down with a small group of educators and discuss a relevant topic.

Don’t miss out!

Thursday April 11th
7:00pm MDT

Register here:

https://empoweredplayconnections.com/p/virtual-coffee-conversation

01/04/2024

Child Led Play doesn’t mean saying yes to everything and chaos pursuing.

How do you turn a ‘no’ into a ‘yes’?

Check out the video below for a specific example of a situation that felt like a no and turned into a ‘yes’ (for some of our students 😁)

01/04/2024

Calling all Early Childhood Educators:

April 11th: VIRTUAL COFFEE & CONVERSATION

7:00pm MDT
VIA ZOOM

For early childhood educators who are willing to join a virtual discussion with other educators.

This months topic is Outdoor Play in Early Childhood Settings. This is for educators who care for or are involved in programming for children ages 0-12 years old.

My goal with these zoom coffee dates is to create a virtual environment similar to a small group of like-minded educators sitting around a cozy coffee shop discussing a relevant topic. Please come prepared to be active in the conversation.

Just in time for spring weather, Aprils discussion will revolve around Outdoor Play. Don’t worry once you register you will receive a questionnaire to fill out via email.

The collected answers will help me get to know you a bit and allow me to facilitate the conversation as well as curate relevant discussion questions.

Save your spot by registering here:

29/03/2024

FREE WEBINAR

Calling all Early Educators who want to delve deeper into authentic outdoor play.

Join me April 15th at 6:00pm MDT for a discussion on the importance of outdoor play in early education settings.

🐝We’ll talk about natural loose parts and how to incorporate them into your outdoor play.

🐝 Specific examples of loose part play that you can use to ignite your imagination and start your loose part journey outdoors

🐝 Discover ways to incorporate dramatic play outdoors (no props needed!)

The content in the webinar was created with preschool aged children in mind but can be applicable for children ages 2-8years of age.

Register Now:

28/03/2024

Upcoming FREE events:

April 11th: VIRTUAL COFFEE & CONVERSATION

For early childhood educators who are willing to join a virtual discussion with other educators. This months topic is Outdoor Play in Early Childhood Settings. This is for educators who care for or are involved in programming for children ages 0-12 years old.

My goal with these zoom coffee dates is to create a virtual environment similar to a small group of like-minded educators sitting around a cozy coffee shop discussing a relevant topic. Please come prepared to be active in the conversation.

Just in time for spring weather, Aprils discussion will revolve around Outdoor Play. Don’t worry once you register you will receive a questionnaire to fill out via email.

The collected answers will help me get to know you a bit and help me facilitate the conversation as well as curate relevant discussion questions.

April 15th: LIVE WEBINAR
Outdoor Play in Early Childhood Settings: A Guide To Using Natures Materials to a create Engaging Play Opportunities

Audience: Early Childhood Educators who work with children in the preschool age category but the material covered would be relevant up to age 8.

Visit empoweredplayconnections.com For more information or to register for either FREE event.

12/03/2024

One of my FAVOURITE parts about hosting live webinars are the conversations that happen during the Q&A.

After my last webinar I knew I wanted to create an offering that would allow for more questions, more answers and more open dialogue. Let’s chat about the positive effect outdoor play has on children & how we can work together to overcome obstacles preventing early childhood programs from offering thriving outdoor play opportunities.

I am hosting a FREE Virtual Coffee and Conversation event on March 19th at 9:00MDT via zoom and I am
Inviting Early Childhood Educators to join me as we chat about playing outdoors with young children.

After registering you will receive a questionnaire to fill out that will help guide the conversation and the questions addressed during this 1 hour casual virtual gathering.

Register now at:

https://empoweredplayconnections.com/p/virtual-coffee-conversation

03/03/2024

🍃 Last chance 🍃

WEBINAR: A guide to using natures materials to create engaging play opportunities.

March 4th
6:00pm MST
Investment $10
Via Zoom

Join me for a discussion on the importance of outdoor play in early education settings.

🐝We’ll talk about natural loose parts and how to incorporate them into your outdoor play.

🐝 Specific examples of loose part play that you can use to ignite your imagination and start your loose part journey outdoors

🐝 Discover ways to incorporate dramatic play outdoors (no props needed!)

🍃psst there’s a couple free spaces left…use code WINNER at checkout to waive the $10 investment.

*If the code is not working all free spaces have been claimed

Recorded replay available until March 21st available on Teachable.

18/02/2024

I love creating art experiences & giving materials a second chance at life.