Empowered Play Connections

29/10/2024

Part 3:

A wee challenge to stop & reflect.

29/10/2024

This is part 2 & I know it’s long but I drop a truth bomb of an example at the end.

This might ruffle feathers that’s ok. Sometimes feathers need to ruffle before change can be made.

That’s the thing about change…it means that there’s a better way than what you’ve been doing & let’s face it: it’s hard to say you’ve been doing it wrong.

If you watch this and feel targeted I challenge you to reframe it to ‘maybe there’s a better way and that’s ok’
Not ‘someone says what I’m doing is wrong and I don’t like that’.

‘Maybe there is a better way…and that’s ok.’

29/10/2024

Recent experiences have me having lots of thoughts and feelings.

I am also realizing that there is still a huge need for change in early education.

Childcare should NOT be about adult control.

This might ruffle some feathers but ‘control is not the outcome we want…curiosity, independence, wonderment, self regulation….the list of valuable outcomes is long.’

Do you have a yes mindset?
Is your centre set up for a yes mindset?
Do you see children as whole capable beings? Because they are.

18/10/2024

I’ve recorded October’s membership only webinar no less than 10 times!!! Ugh. I have been struggling with major technical difficulties & that’s resulted in this video being waaayyy later going up than usual.

In fact it’s not up yet but will hopefully be there today or tomorrow!

This one is short but full of great info and inspiration designed to help early educators understand what vertical learning is, the benefits of vertical learning & of course lots of real life examples for inspiration!

To access this webinar & many many more become an EPC member today for just $10/month.
More info here:

https://empoweredplayconnections.com/p/empoweredplayconnectionsmembership

12/09/2024

October EPC membership content sneak peek & hint!

Vertical Learning & Incorporating vertical surfaces into your everyday play.

Sign up to be an EPC member today to gain access to ALL the EPC content.

https://empoweredplayconnections.com/p/empoweredplayconnectionsmembership

Use coupon code: ONEMONTHFREETRIAL
Before September 30th to receive 1 month free!
A great way to see if EPC is what you need in your life.

01/09/2024

A BRAND NEW course is available to EPC members.

I’m trying out a new format for monthly course content & instead of 40-60min long webinars I have broken the course content into convenient bite size chunks.

These include a mix of video, pdf. Documents with information for educators & printable posters that can be use for education purposes, as well as list of tactical play ideas to get you started!

Sign up for a membership to get immediate access to all courses!

https://empoweredplayconnections.com/p/empoweredplayconnectionsmembership

🆓 There are a few FREE TRIALS left…just use coupon code: ONEMONTHFREETRIAL
at check out to get one month free!

The coupon works for both monthly & annual memberships.

21/08/2024

Ever wonder what’s inside the EPC membership?

Want a FREE TRIAL?

🐝 Webinars on various ECE topics (40-60 minutes)

🐝 Bite size informative videos

🐝 Tons of downloadable pdf on variety of topics including play inspiration, answers to FAQ in ECE, resources for educators and parents, art supply lists, loose part inspiration, and so much more!

🐝 Exclusive access to the EPC community…a place to chat with other early educators

🐝 Access to exclusive live zoom chats

🐝 First access to new material added monthly

🐝And more!

Use coupon code ONEMONTHFREETRIAL to receive 30 days free access to all member materials & perks.

Get it here ⬇️

https://empoweredplayconnections.com/p/empoweredplayconnectionsmembership

*limited coupons available so act quick!

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