THRC Table Talks

Exploring Intersectionality

In this episode we chat with Muskan Arif MCRC’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Specialist, about intersectionality – a framework coined by the brilliant Kimberlé Crenshaw. We dive into how understanding intersectionality can help children (and adults!) navigate their growing sense of identity, acknowledging the complex layers of race, gender, class, and more.
 
Tune in to explore how this approach supports inclusivity, reflection, and a deeper understanding of ourselves and others.

Table Talk Tidbit: Gifts of Imperfection

Embrace Your True Self, Every Day ✨
 
"In the daily practice of authenticity, let go of who you think you’re supposed to be and embrace who you are." - Brené Brown, Gifts of Imperfection
 
🌱 Why It Matters
Authenticity is a powerful tool for growth—not just for ourselves, but also for the children and families we work with. By embracing our true selves, we create a safe space where others can do the same, fostering trust, connection, and meaningful relationships in our early childhood environments.
 
📚 Join the Journey
Explore the transformative impact of authenticity in your personal and professional life. Borrow Gifts of Imperfection from the THRC Resource Library and start your journey today!

Teaching with Love: Embracing Neurodiversity and Belonging

Listen in as we explore Neurodiversity, Belonging and Love while reflecting on the role of our personal experiences in shaping our values and identity as educators.
We unpack what it means to really see children- for who they are and the value they bring to the classroom, as well as the role we play as educators in those experiences.
As Educators, its easy to get caught up in the day to day tasks, but conversations like this one, can remind us to take a step back and reflect on what drives us. How often do we take time to think about the values and expereinces that have shaped our approaches? How can we look ahead and grow into even more attuned and compassionate educators?

The Art in Care: The Importance of Appreciating the Little Things

Join Claire and Asifa in our latest Table Talk as they explore 'Illuminating Care: The Pedagogy and Practice of Care in Early Childhood Communities.'
Discover how to bring meaningful care into your program.

Tidbit: The ECE Backpack

In this Tidbit, meet Frances Killingbeck, Supervisor at The Halton Resource Connection. She sparked the metaphor of the ECE Backpack in a conversation and we just had to dive in! What is it? How is this relevant to your work in the field? Take a listen and find out!
What you will hear:
✨ Collaboration in the field supports our professional growth
✨We can clean out our backpacks, updating our knowledge and skills as we learn more

Tidbit: Really Seeing Children

Join us as Geethmi, Frances, and Basma dive deep into a passage from Deb Curtis's enlightening book, Really Seeing Children. 📚✨
 
In this episode, we explore:
🌟 The importance of slowing down and being present
🌟 Using reflective protocols to deepen our thinking
🌟 Calls to action to support children in their creative and joyful pursuits
 
Tune in to reflect with us and find inspiration to better support the young minds around us. 🎙️💡
 
Listen now and let’s journey together towards truly seeing and understanding children. 🌈👶 We invite you to visit THRC Resource Library to borrow your copy.

Tidbit: Dare to Lead

✨ Reflecting on leadership and growth with THRC Team members Shannon and Basma, we found inspiration in a powerful quote from Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead.
 
✨What were you inspired by in this conversation? What did it spark you to think more deeply about?
 
Quotes have the ability to remind us of what we may already know, aspire to be, or trigger something within us to get back on track. 💡 Come and get your copy today! 📖✨

Tidbit: The Art of Kintsugi and Early Childhood: Honoring the imperfections of children's explorations

In this Tidbit, join Shannon & Farrah, THRC team members as they explore a tactile exploration of Kintsugi, a Japanese art form that mends broken pieces of pottery while highlighting the cracks with gold.
What you will hear? A conversation around:
✨valuing children’s exploration,
✨honouring their lead,
✨honouring giving time to explore,
✨honouring that discomfort can lead us on pathways that guild our edges with gold. … and maybe some pottery breaking!
DISCLAIMER: Shannon & Farrah are by no means the experts in this exquisite art form, but are mearly humble explorers hoping to gain wisdom from exploring different art-techniques.

Diane Kashin Tribute

In this episode we pay tribute to the legacy of Diane Kashin, who passed away in January 2024.
 
Diane meant a great deal to all of us in the early learning field. She generously shared much of her knowledge throughout the years, through many different platforms and mediums.
 
In this episode, several educators from the early learning field share their memories of Diane. The common thread throughout, was that Diane not only provided new intriguing learning opportunities to engage our thinking, such as sharing her perspectives on seasonal pedagogy, as well as providing opportunities for us to connect theory to practice and our practice to theory – she did this while foraging a deep connection to US, the learner, making us feel SEEN, HEARD and VALUED for what we do.
 
Dr. Maya Angelou once said, “People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.” Diane had this gift for making us feel special, and for recognizing the talents we put into our work supporting children, families and each other.

Mindfulness in the Classroom: A Chat with a School Age Educator

"Meet Emily, an educator working in a school age program who is passionate about incorporating mindfulness into the busy program.
 
What will you find in this episode?
✨Emily, an educator who found purpose in incorporating her practice of mindfulness into all aspects of the classroom.
✨How her definition of mindfulness has influenced the way she observes children's interactions with others and their play
✨How ultimately, mindfulness has guided her in nurturing a non-judgemental, safe, and engaging space for children
 
 

Q&A With Drew Dudley

Leaders! Yeah, you! Looking for a fresh take on leadership and motivation? Look no further! In this episode of THRC Table Talks, Drew Dudley, internationally acclaimed leadership speaker and The Wall Street Journal’s best-selling author of This is Day One: A Practical Guide to Leadership that Matters joins Melanie Cunha, Director of THRC in a Question & Answer session.
 
 
 
 
 

Exploring Inclusion as it supports Belonging in the Early Childhood Environment

In this episode, listen in as Nursery School Educators Nida, Joanne and Tanja, come to the table to explore and reflect on how Inclusive practices support relationship building and the Foundations of HDLH? in their program

Cultivating Positive Culture in our Professional Spaces

Listen in, as we explore elements that support meaningful, purposeful culture making. Elements such as developing trust and collaboration to support you in creating safe, brave, cooperative
*staff meetings
*team meetings
*professional learning sessions 
 

Visuals in the Classroom: an Educator shares her journey

Welcome back to a brand new year! Join Farrah and Pawandeep, a toddler room educator as we have a conversation around her inspirational story of how she used visuals to support herself as a new staff and the children. One of her many, many nuggests of wisdom she shares is that at the core of her whys, she honours the children she works for. Take a listen now!

Taking Care of your Mental Health with ROCK

Reach Out Centre for Kids joins us to explore how we can take care of our ourselves so we can do our best to take care of others. What ideas resonated with you to try?

Here's why you should read From Teaching to Thinking

From Thinking to Teaching, should be EVERY educator's pedagogical COMPANION. Where are you coming from and where are you hoping to go?
Let From Teaching to Thinking be your companion on the journey.
From Teaching to Thinking- is it on your bedside table/bookshelf yet? Want to read it? Come visit us at THRC. We have a copies available to borrow.

From Teaching to Thinking (Part 2)

Continue your journey of exploring From Teaching to Thinking with us! There is so much more to unpack in this book. What are teacher scripts? How do they get in the way of what you truly value? Do they disrupt the responsive relationships you hope to build with the children? Do they limit creativity for you and your children? How are your centre's Vision and Values aligning with How you build relationships? How do you structure time, space and collaboration for staff and children/families to reflect and learn from one another?

From Teaching to Thinking (Part 1)

Welcome back! We are starting off this fall season by exploring the amazing book From Teaching to Thinking. It is a fabulous, informative, thought-provoking book - a definite MUST READ if you work with children and families!!
 
You will hear how this book has transformed all of us who read it in this two-part series. 
 
Want to read it? If you are a THRC member, you can borrow it from our Resource Library. We have made a book study kit to spark your explorations and conversations. Contact connect@thrc.ca to find out more.

Supporting a new child's transition from home to child care

As we excitedly start off this fall season, the Early Years Sector are also excitedly welcoming new children into the classroom. In the spirit of new beginnings, join us as we center our conversation on our recently published Inspiration Sheet: How to make the Transition from Home to Childcare smooth, with its' co-creater, Quality First Consultant Geethmi. Questions we unpack: How do we create space to welcome in new children? How can we give ourselves the permission to slow down and focus on building the children's sense of belonging.

Image of the Child (Part 2)

Join us around the table, in part two of our THRC Table Talk where we:
 
-Reminisce about our past experiences with puddles in the playground
 
-Reflect on informing families about our values during tours, and how those values play an important part in our program and the experiences we offer children
 
-Reflect on the concept of “Professionalism.” – Does it mean changing who you are? Does it mean refraining from frivolity and laughter?