Cat Index - Unlocking Childhood

✈️Come with me…to the NAEYC Annual Conference in O

✈️Come with me…to the NAEYC Annual Conference in Orlando!🍊🗺️
Today, I’m off to deliver my session, here we go!✨

☀️So thrilled to have arrived in Florida for the N

☀️So thrilled to have arrived in Florida for the NAEYC’s Annual Conference! Tomorrow, I’ll be speaking on how to nurture 🤍Childhood-Trauma Informed Programs🤍in the Early Years!
We often talk about trauma in the context of adulthood and its impact on adult-aged individuals. The truth is, trauma is extremely common in the Early Years, and Childhood (or ‘Developmental’) Trauma is VASTLY different than adult-onset traumatic experiences—because it’s rooted in the child’s key foundations for life.

Childhood Trauma impacts fundamental things like: Early Attachment, Connection, the Sense of Self, Safety & Trust, Mental/Physical Health, and even the child’s DNA.🧬
This session offers a thoughtful blend of: current research from the field, information & practical applications, real-life stories, and reflection.

I’ve been heavily invested in this work for years, and I can’t wait to share what I’ve learned—from the hard facts on the impacts of Childhood Trauma to the UNDENIABLE HOPE of community, true resiliency, and healing❤️‍🩹

I hope to see you there✨

🗓️📆 8 more days until I speak at the NAEYC’s Annua

🗓️📆 8 more days until I speak at the NAEYC’s Annual Conference in Orlando! 🌴☀️

The Topic: Trauma-Informed Care in ECE ❤️‍🩹
I hope to see you there! 🫶

#naeyc #naeycconference #earlychildhoodeducation #traumainformedcare #childrenswellbeing #earlylearning

Last week, I had an ✨amazing✨ experience meeting t

Last week, I had an ✨amazing✨ experience meeting the @ecdaofpei team and the Early Childhood Educators in Prince Edward Island!

It felt like a collision of fate—I’ve never had so many educators approach me after my sessions to say “I was meant to be at your session today.”
And, it felt like I was meant to be there too.

We learned about: (on leadership)
~ what it means to be a Humanity-Driven Leader, with care at the centre of our work, asking: “Who are my people and how can I serve them?”
~ where traditional management hierarchies came from…and why they are no longer relevant in today’s world.
~ how we can shake off the ‘top-down’ management models we’ve inherited and learn to trust in our capacity to lead from the heart.
~ and, how Humanity-Driven Leadership still does include accountability and boundaries, but these must exist alongside Trust, Compassion, and Harmony to be effective.

We also learned: (on true “well”-being)
~ the important role of intuition in leading our lives & work.
~ why it feels like we have no roadmap AND too much information at the same time.
~ how our BODIES hold the wisdom we need (and how to access it!)
~ what it means to be truly “well”, leaving behind culture’s definitions of what it means to “be good” or “behave”.
~ how to honour our definitions of “well”, while also learning how to honour children’s “well”, too.

An unexpected topic that emerged: the role of EMOTIONS in all of this. I wasn’t expecting to talk about this, but it felt relevant throughout all of my sessions. (I love when this happens!) ✨

A sincere thank you to @ecdaofpei for inviting me and making me feel part of your ECE family. Educators, thank you for bringing your openness, vulnerability, and passion for this work. This work continues to change me. What a gift! 🧡

✏️ Today's Poem: To Raise Children 💛

✏️ Today's Poem: To Raise Children 💛

Instagram post 17851641993572820

Instagram post 17851641993572820

💛☀️I always say: Early Childhood Educators are “my

💛☀️I always say: Early Childhood Educators are “my people”! And there’s good reason for that: they are strong, empathetic, dedicated, fun, creative, and passionate about the care of littlest learners..(just listen to that audio in the video!).

They are the stewards of our next generation. Today, let’s pause to recognize the pillars of our communities: ECEs and Child Care Workers💛☀️

#earlychildhoodeducationmatters #earlychildhoodeducator #carecounts #earlyyears #childcare

✨Meet Mary of Unlocking Childhood!✨ Mary’s Bio:👇

✨Meet Mary of Unlocking Childhood!✨

Mary’s Bio:👇

Mary Hewitt, founder of Unlocking Childhood, is an experienced public speaker, writer, and consultant specializing in the well-being of children, parents, educators, and child-centered professionals. With 15 years in the Early Learning field as a classroom educator, early childhood education professor, and early years system leader—she leverages her expertise to develop engaging and meaningful learning experiences for her clients. Mary holds a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education, a Bachelor of Education degree, a diploma in Early Childhood Education, and a Psychology degree.

Mary dedicates much of her work to topics such as: well-being and mental health; the ‘childhood trauma-informed’ approach; how to develop an ‘attachment lens’; and nurturing emotional competence.

She has captivated audiences up to 500+ attendees and has delivered her work in a variety of contexts from large-scale arenas to individual classrooms. Mary offers keynotes, workshops, conferences, virtual sessions, and even one-on-one coaching and consultations. She has appeared as a guest on several podcasts and as a writer for various publications.

Mary credits her eclectic experiences, extensive education, and neurodivergent mind for her dynamic approach—and is passionate about sharing it with the world!

Mary resides in rural Ontario with her husband and beloved dog.

Video by:
@solboundstudio

The ✨🎶JOYFUL🎵✨energy at this session was unstoppab

The ✨🎶JOYFUL🎵✨energy at this session was unstoppable!

What an amazing group of educators in St. Thomas & Elgin—who all walked through the doors of this session to sing, dance, play with instruments, laugh, and learn with me! Their passion & commitment to nurturing children’s natural inclination to move, sing, dance, & make some noise—shined through!

A big thank you to St. Thomas & Elgin’s Children’s Services for inviting me to be a part of your conference this year! It was a day I will remember for many years to come!💛

PS: yes, that indeed was a conga line running along the back wall!! 💃 And yes, I was dancing too…which made the video a little bumpy (worth it!)

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The Child

The World Needs Our Softness

Listen in as Mary Discusses Trauma-Informed Care in ECE

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

More on The Child >

The Self

The World Needs Our Softness

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

Buoyant Classrooms: 4 Ways Educators Can Promote Resiliency in Children

More on The Self >

The Environment & Materials

Navigating Discomfort in Children’s “Risky Play”: Tools and Strategies to Help Your Team

More on The Environment & Materials

The Culture

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

On the Topic of Neuro Divergence!

More than Measurable Outcomes: A Holistic Perspective of “Play”

More on The Culture

✈️Come with me…to the NAEYC Annual Conference in O

✈️Come with me…to the NAEYC Annual Conference in Orlando!🍊🗺️
Today, I’m off to deliver my session, here we go!✨

☀️So thrilled to have arrived in Florida for the N

☀️So thrilled to have arrived in Florida for the NAEYC’s Annual Conference! Tomorrow, I’ll be speaking on how to nurture 🤍Childhood-Trauma Informed Programs🤍in the Early Years!
We often talk about trauma in the context of adulthood and its impact on adult-aged individuals. The truth is, trauma is extremely common in the Early Years, and Childhood (or ‘Developmental’) Trauma is VASTLY different than adult-onset traumatic experiences—because it’s rooted in the child’s key foundations for life.

Childhood Trauma impacts fundamental things like: Early Attachment, Connection, the Sense of Self, Safety & Trust, Mental/Physical Health, and even the child’s DNA.🧬
This session offers a thoughtful blend of: current research from the field, information & practical applications, real-life stories, and reflection.

I’ve been heavily invested in this work for years, and I can’t wait to share what I’ve learned—from the hard facts on the impacts of Childhood Trauma to the UNDENIABLE HOPE of community, true resiliency, and healing❤️‍🩹

I hope to see you there✨

🗓️📆 8 more days until I speak at the NAEYC’s Annua

🗓️📆 8 more days until I speak at the NAEYC’s Annual Conference in Orlando! 🌴☀️

The Topic: Trauma-Informed Care in ECE ❤️‍🩹
I hope to see you there! 🫶

#naeyc #naeycconference #earlychildhoodeducation #traumainformedcare #childrenswellbeing #earlylearning

Last week, I had an ✨amazing✨ experience meeting t

Last week, I had an ✨amazing✨ experience meeting the @ecdaofpei team and the Early Childhood Educators in Prince Edward Island!

It felt like a collision of fate—I’ve never had so many educators approach me after my sessions to say “I was meant to be at your session today.”
And, it felt like I was meant to be there too.

We learned about: (on leadership)
~ what it means to be a Humanity-Driven Leader, with care at the centre of our work, asking: “Who are my people and how can I serve them?”
~ where traditional management hierarchies came from…and why they are no longer relevant in today’s world.
~ how we can shake off the ‘top-down’ management models we’ve inherited and learn to trust in our capacity to lead from the heart.
~ and, how Humanity-Driven Leadership still does include accountability and boundaries, but these must exist alongside Trust, Compassion, and Harmony to be effective.

We also learned: (on true “well”-being)
~ the important role of intuition in leading our lives & work.
~ why it feels like we have no roadmap AND too much information at the same time.
~ how our BODIES hold the wisdom we need (and how to access it!)
~ what it means to be truly “well”, leaving behind culture’s definitions of what it means to “be good” or “behave”.
~ how to honour our definitions of “well”, while also learning how to honour children’s “well”, too.

An unexpected topic that emerged: the role of EMOTIONS in all of this. I wasn’t expecting to talk about this, but it felt relevant throughout all of my sessions. (I love when this happens!) ✨

A sincere thank you to @ecdaofpei for inviting me and making me feel part of your ECE family. Educators, thank you for bringing your openness, vulnerability, and passion for this work. This work continues to change me. What a gift! 🧡

✏️ Today's Poem: To Raise Children 💛

✏️ Today's Poem: To Raise Children 💛

Instagram post 17851641993572820

Instagram post 17851641993572820

💛☀️I always say: Early Childhood Educators are “my

💛☀️I always say: Early Childhood Educators are “my people”! And there’s good reason for that: they are strong, empathetic, dedicated, fun, creative, and passionate about the care of littlest learners..(just listen to that audio in the video!).

They are the stewards of our next generation. Today, let’s pause to recognize the pillars of our communities: ECEs and Child Care Workers💛☀️

#earlychildhoodeducationmatters #earlychildhoodeducator #carecounts #earlyyears #childcare

✨Meet Mary of Unlocking Childhood!✨ Mary’s Bio:👇

✨Meet Mary of Unlocking Childhood!✨

Mary’s Bio:👇

Mary Hewitt, founder of Unlocking Childhood, is an experienced public speaker, writer, and consultant specializing in the well-being of children, parents, educators, and child-centered professionals. With 15 years in the Early Learning field as a classroom educator, early childhood education professor, and early years system leader—she leverages her expertise to develop engaging and meaningful learning experiences for her clients. Mary holds a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education, a Bachelor of Education degree, a diploma in Early Childhood Education, and a Psychology degree.

Mary dedicates much of her work to topics such as: well-being and mental health; the ‘childhood trauma-informed’ approach; how to develop an ‘attachment lens’; and nurturing emotional competence.

She has captivated audiences up to 500+ attendees and has delivered her work in a variety of contexts from large-scale arenas to individual classrooms. Mary offers keynotes, workshops, conferences, virtual sessions, and even one-on-one coaching and consultations. She has appeared as a guest on several podcasts and as a writer for various publications.

Mary credits her eclectic experiences, extensive education, and neurodivergent mind for her dynamic approach—and is passionate about sharing it with the world!

Mary resides in rural Ontario with her husband and beloved dog.

Video by:
@solboundstudio

The ✨🎶JOYFUL🎵✨energy at this session was unstoppab

The ✨🎶JOYFUL🎵✨energy at this session was unstoppable!

What an amazing group of educators in St. Thomas & Elgin—who all walked through the doors of this session to sing, dance, play with instruments, laugh, and learn with me! Their passion & commitment to nurturing children’s natural inclination to move, sing, dance, & make some noise—shined through!

A big thank you to St. Thomas & Elgin’s Children’s Services for inviting me to be a part of your conference this year! It was a day I will remember for many years to come!💛

PS: yes, that indeed was a conga line running along the back wall!! 💃 And yes, I was dancing too…which made the video a little bumpy (worth it!)

Follow on Instagram

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