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ECE Retreat Kelowna: Calm, Caring & Connected – March 9, 2019

January 21, 2019 by Jane Boyd 3 Comments

45 Conversations is delighted to announce that our next ECE Retreat will be held in Kelowna on March 9, 2019! This is a very different professional development experience. And one that ensures lots of time for connection and conversation — together. We all work together to create the learning and profoundly moving experiences that happen thanks to the people who are in the room!

Registration is now open for this amazing full day professional development experience designed especially for those working in the field of early learning and child care!

ECE Retreat Kelowna: Calm, Caring & Connected – March 9, 2019

Photo credit: Central Okanagan Heritage Society

The ECE Retreat Kelowna: Calm, Caring & Connected is being held March 9, 2019 at Reid Hall which is located at 2279 Benvoulin Rd. in Kelowna, British Columbia. The event will be held between 9:15 AM and 4:30 PM. All who register, attend and participate in the full ECE Retreat will receive a 6 hour professional development certificate.

The theme of this ECE Retreat is “Calm, Caring & Connected.” Child care in BC has been undergoing a significant amount of change over the last year. While it has been an exciting time on many levels — the reality is that it has also been a stressful time for educators, operators and families. Throughout the Calm, Caring & Connected theme of this ECE Retreat, we will explore a number of areas designed to address the concepts related to caring for yourself, caring for others and caring for the important work that we do in the field of early learning and child care. This ECE Retreat will include a combination of masterminds, workshop presentations and engaging “wisdom from the room” discussions. We have brought together a group of FANTASTIC presenters that we believe the early childhood education community/child care will benefit greatly from interacting with.

Online Registration is Now Open!

The registration fee for the ECE Retreat Kelowna: Calm, Caring & Connected is:

Until – March 8, 2019 – $135.00 + GST for the full day session – Click Here to Register

This includes coffee breaks, snacks and a healthy lunch option.

Limited spaces available so register quickly to confirm your space in this ECE Retreat!

Presenters for the ECE Retreat Kelowna: Calm, Caring & Connected

Ann Douglas, Canadian Parenting Author

Ann Douglas sparks conversations that matter about parenting and mental health. She is the author of numerous bestselling books about pregnancy and parenting and the weekend parenting columnist for CBC Radio. A passionate and inspiring speaker, Ann delivers keynote addresses and leads small-group workshops at health, parenting, and education conferences across the country. If you’ve already met Ann via one her books, you know what you can expect from one of her workshops: to be inspired, informed, and entertained.

Happy Parents, Happy Kids is the latest book by parenting author Ann Douglas. It will be published by HarperCollins Canada in February 2019.

See below for further information on Ann’s books.

Tania Lam, Owner, Aves Early Education Centre

Tania Lam is a passionate educator who is committed to the development of very high quality early learning and child care in the community of Richmond, British Columbia. With over 10 years teaching experience and a wealth of qualifications, Tania brings an approach to working in the field of early childhood education that is truly very special. Aves Early Education Centre, which Tania founded, is committed to learning with and from children. Tania follows the practice of co-constructing knowledge rather than pure transmission, and creating an environment that is conducive to children developing a positive and thoughtful attitude towards learning. The programs operated by Aves bring together practices that are derived from the philosophies Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and Tools of the Mind (inspired by Lev Vygotsky.)

As an educator who holds a Bachelors of Science in Biopsychology, a Master in Management and a Master in Education in Early Childhood Education, Tania is fascinated with how the human brain, its hormones, chemicals, neurotransmitters, and connections influence human behaviour as well as with designing early learning and care programs with a true difference. Tania is a firm believer in providing as much educational stimuli to a child during early childhood as possible in order to capitalize on their brain’s dynamic long-term developmental changes.

“Childhood to me is a completely unique time period where children are and coming up with whimsical wonders and their imaginations are bursting with creativity.” explains Tania.

As the owner of two thriving child care programs and with an additional child care program currently under construction, Tania is always seeking to learn more — more about children, more about the field and more about what it takes to create optimal early learning and child care environments. She is also very fascinated with the way educators grow and professionally develop as well.

Melanie James, In-Home Multi-Age Child Care Program Operator

With over 22 years experience working in and operating licensed child care programs in BC, Melanie is committed to offering child care that meets the unique needs of children and families. She holds certification in BC as an Early Childhood Educator, Infant-Toddler Educator and Special Needs Educator. Based in Campbell River, Melanie currently operates a licensed In-Home Multi-Age Child Care program that serves the child care needs of her community. Calm, intuitive, committed and caring are all words that describe the kind of early childhood educator Melanie is. An advocate for supporting children with exceptionalities, individuals with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and for a variety of learning styles , Melanie applies her wealth of experience to supporting the uniqueness of the children, families and educators she works with. Melanie is married with 2 children.

Amanda Worms, Chief Exceptional Officer, Little Owl Academy

Amanda Worms is the Owner of Little Owls Academy. Once a “teen mom”, Amanda understands the role child care plays in supporting young women as they carve their path in the world. With a background in media and accounting, Amanda is committed to developing strong operational systems and supports as well as an exceptional learning environment for the teachers, children and families of all Little Owl Academy programs. She also serves as Executive Director of the Board for Little Owl Society for Children and Families.

Amanda is a confident and outspoken leader for BC child care owners. She frequently shares her experience as a child care owner in BC with colleagues, early childhood educators, the media, and all levels of government. Amanda serves on the Executive Board of the BC Child Care Owners Association and is an outspoken advocate for BC child care owners and educators. Amanda is married and the mother of three daughters. She and her family live in the Kelowna area.

Jane Boyd, Founder of ECE Workshops & CEO of 45 Conversations Media & Education

With more than 28 years experience addressing small business, work-life, education, employee engagement early learning and child care issues Jane is a recognized authority when it comes to developing customized work-life and child care solutions. She is currently advising on the development of multiple new child care programs in BC, working closely with several child care programs to update their philosophy and programming and designing multiple ECE Workshops that will be released in 2019 as online professional development for Canadian early childhood educators.

Through her work, Jane has been directly involved in securing million and millions of dollars in funding for projects relating to business collaboration, work-life balance, employee wellbeing, education, community development and child care. She is passionate about self-directed learning, mixed philosophy programming and supporting children with exceptional needs. She has been licensed as an Early Childhood Educator, Special Needs Educator and Infant-Toddler Educator in 5 Canadian Provinces and currently holds certification in BC, Alberta and Nova Scotia. You can read Jane’s full bio here.

Agenda for ECE Retreat Kelowna: Calm, Caring & Connected – March 9, 2019

ECE Retreat Sign-In & Coffee – 9:15 AM

Welcome and Opening Remarks – 9:30 AM

Presenter – Jane Boyd

Topic – Calm, Caring & Connected – Why it Matters in the Field of Early Learning & Child Care

How this ECE Retreat Works – 10:00 AM

Presenter – Melanie James

Presentation & Mastermind # 1 – 10:15 AM

Presenter – Tania Lam

Topic – Bringing Calm to Your ECE Practice, the Classroom & Your Life

Mastermind Learning Module Intro – Jane Boyd

15 Minute Coffee Break – 11:15

Presentation & Mastermind # 2 – 11:30 AM

Presenter – Amanda Worms

Topic – Your Voice Matters Because You Matter

Mastermind Learning Module Intro – Jane Boyd

Lunch Break – 12:30 PM

Wisdom of the Room Discussion 1 – 1:00 PM

Workshop #1 – 1:15 PM

Presenter – Ann Douglas

Topic – The Umbrella Workshop: Helping Families to Weather the Storm

Coffee Break – 2:45 PM

Workshop # 2 – 3:00 PM

Presenter – Ann Douglas

Topic – Let’s Start a Self-Care Revolution!

Wisdom of the Room Discussion – 3:30 PM

Closing Remarks – 4:20 PM

End of ECE Retreat – 4:30 PM

What are ECE Retreats?

Jane Boyd, the Founder of ECE Retreats believes in offering outside the box, incredible and enlightening professional development experiences for today’s Early Childhood Educators. Through her own personal and professional experience, she knows that it pays to step into places and opportunities that are different than the norm. And she understands that doing so helps educators and child care providers to expand both their thinking and horizons when it comes to exploring ways to enhance day to day practice and programs for children and families. As part of her company’s commitment to offer high quality professional development that includes face-to-face collaborative conversation, exciting learning opportunities and a sense of wonder she hosts ECE Retreats multiple times per year in the Greater Vancouver area. In addition, Jane works with organizations in other parts of BC and Canada to offer ECE Retreats to communities that would otherwise not have access to this unique model of professional development.

Common Questions

What exactly is an ECE Retreat like?

Here’s a little video that shows a bit more about what an ECE Retreat experience is all about:

I have attended a previous ECE Retreat — will this one be the same?

No not exactly, this ECE Retreat will use a combination of short presentations, mini workshops and group collaborative conversation. We encourage past attendees to attend multiple ECE Retreats as we know each retreat experience will support participants with ongoing personal and professional development. In addition, as our ECE Retreat community grows we know that the opportunities for connection and collaboration will also grow between all who are part of these unique professional development experiences.

Is there a dress code for an ECE Retreat?

This retreat is designed to be a professional learning and development experience. While we don’t have a formal dress code, attendees are encouraged to dress in comfortable, professional clothing.

If I register and then am unable to attend can I obtain a refund?

Unfortunately, we cannot offer refunds for registrations. You can however transfer your registration to another Early Childhood Educator for no service fee. We simply ask that you let us know in advance if this is something you would like to do. If for an unexpected reason we must change the date of an ECE Retreat, we will offer you the choice of registration in the next available ECE Retreat we schedule or we will provide you with a credit that you may use toward any of our online ECE Workshops.

Does an ECE Retreat count for professional development?

Yes. We will provide you with a professional development certificate provided you attend the ECE Retreat for the full day and actively participate. All certificates will be issued as a PDF file via email two weeks after the retreat. You can learn more about our professional development certificates here.

How much will it cost me to attend this ECE Retreat?

The registration fee for the ECE Retreat Kelowna: Calm, Caring & Connected – March 9, 2019 –

Early Bird – Until February 9, 2019 – $105.00 plus GST for the full day session – Click Here to Register

Regular – $135.00 + GST for the full day session – Click Here to Register

The registration includes 2 snack breaks and a healthy lunch option.

I don’t have a credit card – can I pay in some other way for the retreat?

Yes – we will accept email transfers for payment using Interac. You can learn more about that here. If this is something you would like to do — please contact Jane Boyd via Jane @ 45Conversations dot com

My company is interested in being a sponsor of this ECE Retreat, who do I contact?

Please send email to jane @ 45conversations dot com

Other questions?

Please send email to Jane’s admin assistant Melanie. Melanie @ 45conversations dot com

More About Our ECE Retreats

Below is some further information about our ECE Retreats — and what makes them so special.

We bring together small groups (20 – 75) of Early Childhood Educators & Early Learning Professionals to work together for an intensive 1, 2 or 3 day face-to-face professional development retreat experience. Sometimes we organize a social dinner or gathering in collaboration with the ECE Retreat. We provide ample opportunities for learning, growth, conversation, connection, collaboration, reflection and recharging.

Through a combination of presentations, learning modules and small group masterminding – participants collaboratively work together to discuss issues in the field, explore personal and professional experiences, set goals in order to further develop their ECE practice and plan action steps related to the work they do on a day to day basis.

We create opportunities for connection and collaboration in unique ways. Sometimes a few of us — or — many of us — decide to work together on a collaborative project that evolves out of the ECE Retreat experience. For example, here’s a video that came out of our 2017 ECE Retreat!

Jane Boyd personally invites colleagues from outside the field of early childhood education to share their personal and professional experience, learnings and thinking with ECE Retreat attendees through short presentations. AND she invites professionals from within the field to do exactly the same thing. This results in a profoundly unique mix of learning, connection and conversation.

We do all of this — and more — in a fun and inspiring location and trusted environment that is carefully designed to open hearts and minds through collaborative learning and connection. Sometimes we gather in historic houses or community halls, other times we are hosted by exceptional early learning and care programs and yet other times we find ourselves in corporate headquarters or unique educational settings. No matter where we meet — we work together to create a professional development experience that inspires, delights and advances our individual and collective thinking related to the field of Early Childhood Education. It’s professional development like you’ve never experienced it before!

While we follow the a similar framework for each ECE Retreat — we choose different areas to focus on and are always adding in new and different speakers. Because what we offer is so unique, highly educational and profoundly different; we receive great feedback on our ECE Retreats.

What Educators Say About ECE Retreats

My experience at the ECE Reflect and Recharge Retreat has forever shifted the way I think about professional growth. I am beyond grateful for Jane’s kindness and wisdom. She gives herself wholeheartedly and shares with such grace and passion. She leads by example and encourages others to find their own special passion. The format of presenter, Mastermind discussion, to setting an intent left each of us with a clear connection to what we wanted to accomplish as well as tools to help that come to fruition. I came home with a vision for my practice, tools to bring that vision to life and a new found strength to dream big. The ECE Reflect and Recharge Retreat has impacted my life and my practice in the most wonderful ways. I am forever changed and so thankful I had the chance to attend. ~ CARRIE NAHORNEY, ECE

This is the best workshop that I have EVER attended. It beats every other workshop and every other means of education that I have received in the last 17 years in this field. It was the most informative, inspiring and professional training one could possibly ask for. This was nothing short of brilliant! ~ INGRID SCHAAF, CALYPSO MONTESSORI SCHOOL

That great Loris Malaguzzi creativity quote . . .

December 10, 2018 by Jane Boyd Leave a Comment

Creativity becomes more visible when adults try to be more attentive to the cognitive processes of children than to the results they achieve in various fields of doing and understanding.

I love this quote from Loris Malaguzzi. It is from book entitled The Hundred Languages of Children.

Loris Malaguzzi is responsible for developing one of the world’s most popular educational approaches to date and that is the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education. You can learn more about his work in this post we wrote last year.

Take a moment to think about his words . . .

Creativity becomes more visible when adults try to be more attentive to the cognitive processes of children than to the results they achieve in various fields of doing and understanding.

I think his words are such an important reminder to early childhood educators to slow down and be present with young children. To appreciate the very moment that is happening. And to truly observe young children as they engage, process and interact — with materials, the environment, other children, educators and themselves. There is so much that can be understood when we are attentive to the very cognitive processes that are unfolding right before our eyes.

When I was thinking about this quote I searched through some other blog posts and writing. I was curious to find others who also appreciated Malaguzzi’s same words too. One journal article I came across was from the UK’s National Foundation for Education Research. Entitled “Developing young children’s creativity: what can we learn from research?” and written by Caroline Sharp it’s a detailed look at creativity in young children.

Within the article Caroline notes:

Another suggestion for adapting the notion of creativity to suit young children is to put the emphasis on the creative process, rather than to judge the quality of their ‘products’.

And I guess it should come as no surprise that she also quoted Loris Malaguzzi as well. His words obviously caught her attention too. I think that’s because it’s such a fantastic, deep quote. It’s the kind of quote that has the potential to stand the test of time. If you are interested in reading more of what Caroline shared about creativity you can read the full journal article. As part of the conclusion, Caroline noted:

Creativity is an important human characteristic. It is perhaps best thought of as a process, requiring a mixture of ingredients, including personality traits, abilities and skills. Early years staff can help young children to develop their creativity by providing a creative environment, helping children to build up their skills through play, behaving creatively themselves and praising children’s creative efforts.

So — think process — not product. Think many ingredients. Support young children to engage in the whole process. And make sure that as an educator you are present — and — engaging too. That matters. In fact — all of it matters.

Let go of the need for end results.

Simply be present.

Simply engage.

And support the creativity to emerge — for the children you work with — as well as yourself.

Digging Deeper: Your Questions About Loris Malaguzzi and Reggio Emilia Answered

What Was Loris Malaguzzi’s Best Quote?

The quote that takes the spotlight in this post is often considered one of Loris Malaguzzi’s best: “Creativity becomes more visible when adults try to be more attentive to the cognitive processes of children than to the results they achieve in various fields of doing and understanding.” This insightful statement encapsulates the essence of his philosophy, emphasizing the value of the process over the product.

What is Loris Malaguzzi’s Theory?

Loris Malaguzzi developed the Reggio Emilia approach, a pioneering educational philosophy focusing on preschool and primary education. This approach views children as competent, resourceful beings capable of constructing their own learning. Within this context, educators serve as co-learners rather than traditional teachers, embodying the role of guide and facilitator.

What is the Quote About Children in Reggio Emilia?

Another powerful quote from Malaguzzi about children’s role in Reggio Emilia is: “The wider the range of possibilities we offer children, the more intense will be their motivations and the richer their experiences.” This speaks to the importance of a versatile, stimulating environment that fosters children’s intrinsic curiosity and passion for learning.

What is Meant by the 100 Languages of Children?

The “100 Languages of Children” is a concept integral to the Reggio Emilia approach. It refers to the many ways children express themselves and interact with the world. These ‘languages’ can include drawing, sculpting, dramatic play, and more. Recognizing these diverse modes of expression allows educators to better understand and facilitate children’s cognitive processes.

es Reggio Emilia Believe About Children and How They Learn?

Reggio Emilia believes that children are active participants in their own learning. The philosophy is underpinned by a set of guiding principles, including the role of the environment as the “third teacher,” the importance of collaboration, and the value of documentation to make the learning visible. Children are encouraged to explore, observe, hypothesize, question, and discuss to acquire knowledge, always guided by their intrinsic motivations.

Did Loris Malaguzzi Create Reggio Emilia?

Yes, Loris Malaguzzi was instrumental in developing the Reggio Emilia approach after World War II, based in the towns and villages around Reggio Emilia in Italy. His philosophy has since gained international acclaim for its innovative, child-centered approach to early childhood education.

What Does a Reggio Emilia Classroom Look Like?

A Reggio Emilia classroom is designed to be an “atelier” where both children and adults can think, explore, and construct together. The setting is often filled with natural light, and elements from nature, to inspire a sense of wonder. There are multiple stations equipped with a variety of materials to encourage children to express their “100 languages.”

What Are the Disadvantages of Reggio Emilia?

Despite its innovative approach to early childhood education, the Reggio Emilia model isn’t without its criticisms. Detractors often highlight the absence of a formalized curriculum as a potential weakness. They argue that this flexibility, while fostering creativity, may not offer the foundational skills that children might need in more conventional educational settings.

What Are the 7 Characteristics of Reggio Emilia?

The seven characteristics commonly associated with the Reggio Emilia approach include:

The child as an active participant in learning.
The significance of environment.
The teacher, parent, and child as collaborators in the process of learning.
The importance of documentation.
The role of time as a variable.
The value of aesthetics and artistic expression.
The focus on social interaction and communal activity in learning.

How is Reggio Emilia Different from Montessori?

Although Montessori and Reggio Emilia both prioritize the child’s individual needs and capabilities, their methodologies diverge in several aspects. Montessori focuses heavily on self-directed learning with an emphasis on individual mastery, using specifically designed materials for each learning area. Reggio Emilia, on the other hand, places greater emphasis on social learning and the use of projects that often arise from children’s interests, incorporating real-world materials and situations. Additionally, while Montessori classrooms are designed to facilitate individual exploration, Reggio Emilia places the community and environment at the forefront, considering it the ‘third teacher.’

The Essence of Creativity in Early Childhood Education: A Concluding Note

In the journey through this article, we’ve delved deep into the powerful insights of Loris Malaguzzi and the transformative philosophy of the Reggio Emilia approach. The core message, ringing clear and loud, is the fundamental importance of honouring the creative process in young children. It’s not about what they produce, but how they engage, how they question, and how they marvel at the world around them.

When we, as educators and caregivers, shift our focus from outcomes to experiences, we not only enrich children’s lives but also redefine the very foundations of what education should aim for. It becomes a process that reveres the intrinsic creativity of every child and recognizes their complex cognitive processes.

The notion that creativity isn’t a product but a process—a living, breathing, evolving journey—is a philosophy that I hold dear. It’s something that I’ve observed to be of extraordinary value throughout my career in early childhood education. As we engage with children, offering them the spaces and opportunities to express their ‘100 languages,’ we do far more than teach; we learn, we grow, and we evolve. We become a part of an intricate dance between curiosity and understanding, a dance that never truly ends.

So, let’s make a conscious effort to be present, to actively engage and to let go of preconceived expectations. Let’s welcome and celebrate the endless forms of creativity as they spontaneously unfold before our eyes. By doing so, we give children the greatest gift of all—the freedom to be authentically themselves, while also being part of a community that cherishes the unique value they bring into the world.

In this spirit, let us all continue to be the advocates for the richness of childhood creativity, seeing it not as a standalone subject but as the heart of what meaningful education ought to be.

Check Out Another Great Quote from Loris Malaguzzi

Another Great Creativity Quote From Loris Malaguzzi