Childhood isn't a race to see who can grow up the

Childhood isn't a race to see who can grow up the fastest. It’s a vital developmental foundation and a sacred time in the individual's lifespan.

But between aggressive corporate marketing, hyper-preparation for adulthood, and standardized testing, our society reinforces robbing children of the right to exist, learn, grow, and experience life. We’ve replaced trees with screens and unstructured play with rigid schedules.

The result? A generation that is highly optimized for productivity...but is also deeply exhausted, disconnected, and lonely.

As educators, we can resist this conditioning, root ourselves in what we've learned about early childhood, and anchor our practices in what children need and deserve to thrive.

Let's start a conversation.👇 What is one way you're resisting society's vision of childhood and replacing it with what's in the best interest of children?

#slowparenting #slowpedagogy #letkidsbekids #childhoodunplugged #mentalhealthmatters #earlychildhoodeducation #screentime #educationispolitical

As ECEs, "slow pedagogy" might seem as elusive as

As ECEs, "slow pedagogy" might seem as elusive as a unicorn on roller skates. 🦄✨

Yet, when we hit pause and follow the natural rhythms of our classrooms, we uncover a treasure trove of insights about the children and ourselves.

I wonder...What does "slow pedagogy" look like in your classroom?✨

#earlychildhoodeducator #slowpedagogy #slowisfast #earlylearning

Certified lay-a-rounder🧡

Certified lay-a-rounder🧡

I sure wish I caught some video of us all DANCING

I sure wish I caught some video of us all DANCING with joy! But, NO regrets, because I was too busy being in the moment with you, educators💛🎶!

At the Hastings conference, I was invited to deliver my session ‘The MAGIC of Music and Movement’ four times over two days…and what a treat it was! We had fun, played with music, but also deeply reflected on why music and the arts matter NOW more than ever, why music is fading from classrooms, and how we can bring it back with intentionality💫

Friday was AWE-some!🤓 In Peterborough last week, I

Friday was AWE-some!🤓 In Peterborough last week, I delivered ‘Igniting Awe and Wonder: Re-imagining our Materials and Environments in the Natural World🌿’.

It was a pleasure to share my (*very vulnerable*) real story of how nature saved me, how awe and wonder are a powerful catalyst to truly come to “know” the natural world, to hear your commitments to the land you live & play on with children, to see what you can create for children with simple offerings from the land, and so much more.

Thank you for embracing this learning and for making me feel so at home during my visit 💚

✨And let us never forget:✨
“Oh do you have time
to linger
for just a little while
Out of your busy
And very important day…”

#aweandwonder #naturebasedlearning #kinshipwithnat

#aweandwonder #naturebasedlearning #kinshipwithnature
@iiqpeterborough

🫟Does this land with any of my fellow ‘visual thin

🫟Does this land with any of my fellow ‘visual thinkers’ out there?!

Maybe meeting times should include a little tension, some straying and untamed-ness, and certainly personal autonomy and agency. 🤷‍♀️

👉As we transition out of Mental Health Awareness M

👉As we transition out of Mental Health Awareness Month…what are some “indirect” ways you nurture your mental health and well-being?

Before every session, I like to anchor myself with

Before every session, I like to anchor myself with this question ‘if a child was standing at the back of the room tonight, what would they hope are the key takeaways for adults at this session?’.

It reminds me of the “invisible audience” at sessions: the children we serve—and of my responsibility and values prior to moving into my work.

Last night, before I offered a session for families, the responses that came up for me when reflecting on this question were:

~the child might hope parents recognize children are inherently good, and that “big emotions” are not behaviours or character flaws, but simply a natural part of their humanity;

~the child might hope that parents learn to make space for their own emotional world, recognizing its value and the important role of self-compassion in caring for themselves and their children;

~and, the child might hope that parents stop worrying about who they will become, and learn to respect and honour who their children are right now.

Of course, there are more, but these were the three that came up first—and they stayed with me as a guiding force throughout the session—ensuring I never forget why we are all gathered in these rooms in the first place 💛

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Early Childhood Speaker, Consultant, Trainer, Expert

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ABOUT
Work With Me
Yellow Chair Chats
Blog
Resources
Contact

The Child · July 8, 2025

Listen in as Mary Discusses Trauma-Informed Care in ECE

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Childhood isn't a race to see who can grow up the

Childhood isn't a race to see who can grow up the fastest. It’s a vital developmental foundation and a sacred time in the individual's lifespan.

But between aggressive corporate marketing, hyper-preparation for adulthood, and standardized testing, our society reinforces robbing children of the right to exist, learn, grow, and experience life. We’ve replaced trees with screens and unstructured play with rigid schedules.

The result? A generation that is highly optimized for productivity...but is also deeply exhausted, disconnected, and lonely.

As educators, we can resist this conditioning, root ourselves in what we've learned about early childhood, and anchor our practices in what children need and deserve to thrive.

Let's start a conversation.👇 What is one way you're resisting society's vision of childhood and replacing it with what's in the best interest of children?

#slowparenting #slowpedagogy #letkidsbekids #childhoodunplugged #mentalhealthmatters #earlychildhoodeducation #screentime #educationispolitical

As ECEs, "slow pedagogy" might seem as elusive as

As ECEs, "slow pedagogy" might seem as elusive as a unicorn on roller skates. 🦄✨

Yet, when we hit pause and follow the natural rhythms of our classrooms, we uncover a treasure trove of insights about the children and ourselves.

I wonder...What does "slow pedagogy" look like in your classroom?✨

#earlychildhoodeducator #slowpedagogy #slowisfast #earlylearning

Certified lay-a-rounder🧡

Certified lay-a-rounder🧡

I sure wish I caught some video of us all DANCING

I sure wish I caught some video of us all DANCING with joy! But, NO regrets, because I was too busy being in the moment with you, educators💛🎶!

At the Hastings conference, I was invited to deliver my session ‘The MAGIC of Music and Movement’ four times over two days…and what a treat it was! We had fun, played with music, but also deeply reflected on why music and the arts matter NOW more than ever, why music is fading from classrooms, and how we can bring it back with intentionality💫

Friday was AWE-some!🤓 In Peterborough last week, I

Friday was AWE-some!🤓 In Peterborough last week, I delivered ‘Igniting Awe and Wonder: Re-imagining our Materials and Environments in the Natural World🌿’.

It was a pleasure to share my (*very vulnerable*) real story of how nature saved me, how awe and wonder are a powerful catalyst to truly come to “know” the natural world, to hear your commitments to the land you live & play on with children, to see what you can create for children with simple offerings from the land, and so much more.

Thank you for embracing this learning and for making me feel so at home during my visit 💚

✨And let us never forget:✨
“Oh do you have time
to linger
for just a little while
Out of your busy
And very important day…”

#aweandwonder #naturebasedlearning #kinshipwithnat

#aweandwonder #naturebasedlearning #kinshipwithnature
@iiqpeterborough

🫟Does this land with any of my fellow ‘visual thin

🫟Does this land with any of my fellow ‘visual thinkers’ out there?!

Maybe meeting times should include a little tension, some straying and untamed-ness, and certainly personal autonomy and agency. 🤷‍♀️

👉As we transition out of Mental Health Awareness M

👉As we transition out of Mental Health Awareness Month…what are some “indirect” ways you nurture your mental health and well-being?

Before every session, I like to anchor myself with

Before every session, I like to anchor myself with this question ‘if a child was standing at the back of the room tonight, what would they hope are the key takeaways for adults at this session?’.

It reminds me of the “invisible audience” at sessions: the children we serve—and of my responsibility and values prior to moving into my work.

Last night, before I offered a session for families, the responses that came up for me when reflecting on this question were:

~the child might hope parents recognize children are inherently good, and that “big emotions” are not behaviours or character flaws, but simply a natural part of their humanity;

~the child might hope that parents learn to make space for their own emotional world, recognizing its value and the important role of self-compassion in caring for themselves and their children;

~and, the child might hope that parents stop worrying about who they will become, and learn to respect and honour who their children are right now.

Of course, there are more, but these were the three that came up first—and they stayed with me as a guiding force throughout the session—ensuring I never forget why we are all gathered in these rooms in the first place 💛

Follow on Instagram

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