Imagining education without care is a frightening

Imagining education without care is a frightening thought. Education with care is hopeful and radiant, upholding our humanity and the humanity of children.

Thank goodness for the work of @illuminatingcare Carol Garboden Murray and for educators who continually position care at the centre of early childhood education 💛

🌊 I have so much gratitude to the natural world fo

🌊 I have so much gratitude to the natural world for all it teaches me. And paying attention to nature is really all it takes to nurture that bond.

We speak the language of the rolling waves, the swaying trees, the perched wren, the glowing moon.

When I moved into doing this work, I decided I wou

When I moved into doing this work, I decided I would follow my compass and only do it in a way that felt joyful for me.

I don’t call this selfish because here’s what I believe: whatever gifts we have to give this world are hidden underneath what we *think* we should be doing.

✨What do we say when someone writes a book or sings a song that is completely from the heart?
We say “thank you”. And we mean it because it awakens something in us. A free, aligned heart…frees everyone around them a little more, too.

Call me outdated or out of touch for not focusing on other streams of productivity or building a big digital platform…I know digital platforms are both necessary and a great tool for sharing, but I’ll post when I want to post, not because I have to or because the algorithm says I should at ___ o’clock to get the most engagement. That’s just a joy-zapper for me.

((And I just want to pause and honour those folks who are doing that work and say: if it’s bringing you joy, if it’s part of your unique journey, keep doing you!))

For me, facilitating sessions, long-term pedagogical partnerships, writing my book & articles, advising for the College of ECEs behind the scenes, spending time in deep conversation with fellow educators and other professionals, reflecting, journalling, attending sessions as a learner. This is my life. My wild path. And I love it.

I hope you feel how much I love it, too 💗

✨Why do we say things like "use your words"? In

✨Why do we say things like "use your words"?

In this article, I revisit this common phrase and offer us an opportunity to re-think the language we use with young children.

You can access it here: https://unlockingchildhood.com/beyond-use-your-words-paying-attention-to-what-children-are-actually-trying-to-tell-us/

I hope you'll give it a read :)

"Ultimately, workforce sustainability is not just

"Ultimately, workforce sustainability is not just about bringing people into the sector; it is about creating conditions that enable them to stay"-- what an important reminder in this quick read.

Focusing on ECE wages is only part of the equation for true retention. I am noticing more organizations reaching out with this in mind, and are working to address the two key elements in this report: job satisfaction and psychological safety at work.

When educators feel both safe and valued, they are more inclined to be creative, reflective, and open...and this all starts with Humanity-Driven Leadership. Leaders who parallel the HDLH approaches embedded in our four foundations: Well-Being, Expression, Engagement, and Belonging are leading with humanity at the forefront.

People before productivity (and+, *with* accountability).

Let's continue to move away from the top-down, power-over models of 'management' we inherited from the industrial revolution (our first image of leadership). Educators don't work in factories and they aren't churning out products.

Educators are people who do deeply meaningful work alongside children and families within their communities.

You can read the Atkinson Centre's summary report here:
https://mailchi.mp/utoronto/educator-mental-health-is-a-workforce-retention-issue-atkinson-centre-weekly-enewsletter-june-23-2026

#earlychildhoodeducation #humanitydrivenleadership #leadershipinECE #peoplefirst #earlychildhoodeducator #ECEretention #earlylearning

Are you an EarlyON facilitator or educator looking

Are you an EarlyON facilitator or educator looking for some questions to anchor your practice--from the perspective of the family?

From the Te Whariki curriculum's 'The Child's Questions', this infographic provides some important reflections when planning for programming centered around families.

You can find the downloadable infographic (for free) here:

https://unlockingchildhood.com/grid/

#earlyON #earlychildhoodeducators #earlyONfacilitator #thefamily #childandfamily

Who says information is the only thing that truly

Who says information is the only thing that truly 'informs' us?

I'm sharing a poem as another way to understand our work, our role as Educators.

Everyday, in every way, you matter. And, how do we ensure the children feel their own 'mattering'? 💛

Is it by giving alone...or by allowing them to give, too?

#earlychildhoodeducation #earlychildhoodmatters #childrenmatter #belonging #contributing #mattering #earlyyears

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Early Childhood Speaker, Consultant, Trainer, Expert

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The Child · July 8, 2025

Listen in as Mary Discusses Trauma-Informed Care in ECE

join the club

You’ll Also Love

On the Topic of Neuro Divergence!

Honouring Children’s Natural Rhythms and Perspectives in the Early Years

Beyond “Use Your Words”: Connecting With Children on Their Own Terms

Mary is a Guest on the Thriving Minds Podcast! Listen here:

Imagining education without care is a frightening

Imagining education without care is a frightening thought. Education with care is hopeful and radiant, upholding our humanity and the humanity of children.

Thank goodness for the work of @illuminatingcare Carol Garboden Murray and for educators who continually position care at the centre of early childhood education 💛

🌊 I have so much gratitude to the natural world fo

🌊 I have so much gratitude to the natural world for all it teaches me. And paying attention to nature is really all it takes to nurture that bond.

We speak the language of the rolling waves, the swaying trees, the perched wren, the glowing moon.

When I moved into doing this work, I decided I wou

When I moved into doing this work, I decided I would follow my compass and only do it in a way that felt joyful for me.

I don’t call this selfish because here’s what I believe: whatever gifts we have to give this world are hidden underneath what we *think* we should be doing.

✨What do we say when someone writes a book or sings a song that is completely from the heart?
We say “thank you”. And we mean it because it awakens something in us. A free, aligned heart…frees everyone around them a little more, too.

Call me outdated or out of touch for not focusing on other streams of productivity or building a big digital platform…I know digital platforms are both necessary and a great tool for sharing, but I’ll post when I want to post, not because I have to or because the algorithm says I should at ___ o’clock to get the most engagement. That’s just a joy-zapper for me.

((And I just want to pause and honour those folks who are doing that work and say: if it’s bringing you joy, if it’s part of your unique journey, keep doing you!))

For me, facilitating sessions, long-term pedagogical partnerships, writing my book & articles, advising for the College of ECEs behind the scenes, spending time in deep conversation with fellow educators and other professionals, reflecting, journalling, attending sessions as a learner. This is my life. My wild path. And I love it.

I hope you feel how much I love it, too 💗

✨Why do we say things like "use your words"? In

✨Why do we say things like "use your words"?

In this article, I revisit this common phrase and offer us an opportunity to re-think the language we use with young children.

You can access it here: https://unlockingchildhood.com/beyond-use-your-words-paying-attention-to-what-children-are-actually-trying-to-tell-us/

I hope you'll give it a read :)

"Ultimately, workforce sustainability is not just

"Ultimately, workforce sustainability is not just about bringing people into the sector; it is about creating conditions that enable them to stay"-- what an important reminder in this quick read.

Focusing on ECE wages is only part of the equation for true retention. I am noticing more organizations reaching out with this in mind, and are working to address the two key elements in this report: job satisfaction and psychological safety at work.

When educators feel both safe and valued, they are more inclined to be creative, reflective, and open...and this all starts with Humanity-Driven Leadership. Leaders who parallel the HDLH approaches embedded in our four foundations: Well-Being, Expression, Engagement, and Belonging are leading with humanity at the forefront.

People before productivity (and+, *with* accountability).

Let's continue to move away from the top-down, power-over models of 'management' we inherited from the industrial revolution (our first image of leadership). Educators don't work in factories and they aren't churning out products.

Educators are people who do deeply meaningful work alongside children and families within their communities.

You can read the Atkinson Centre's summary report here:
https://mailchi.mp/utoronto/educator-mental-health-is-a-workforce-retention-issue-atkinson-centre-weekly-enewsletter-june-23-2026

#earlychildhoodeducation #humanitydrivenleadership #leadershipinECE #peoplefirst #earlychildhoodeducator #ECEretention #earlylearning

Are you an EarlyON facilitator or educator looking

Are you an EarlyON facilitator or educator looking for some questions to anchor your practice--from the perspective of the family?

From the Te Whariki curriculum's 'The Child's Questions', this infographic provides some important reflections when planning for programming centered around families.

You can find the downloadable infographic (for free) here:

https://unlockingchildhood.com/grid/

#earlyON #earlychildhoodeducators #earlyONfacilitator #thefamily #childandfamily

Who says information is the only thing that truly

Who says information is the only thing that truly 'informs' us?

I'm sharing a poem as another way to understand our work, our role as Educators.

Everyday, in every way, you matter. And, how do we ensure the children feel their own 'mattering'? 💛

Is it by giving alone...or by allowing them to give, too?

#earlychildhoodeducation #earlychildhoodmatters #childrenmatter #belonging #contributing #mattering #earlyyears

Follow on Instagram

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