“Professional development is much more than traini “Professional development is much more than training. 
It’s an ongoing commitment to personal and collective growth, an invitation to curiosity, and a renewal of openness.” ✨
Surprise e-mails from clients after sessions are s Surprise e-mails from clients after sessions are so, so special💛 I feel so fortunate to be doing this work together with you! 
My 2026 schedule is shaping up quickly, and I can’t wait to see what this year will bring!
Let’s go! 🪄✨
📌 Looking forward to a month full of connection, r 📌 Looking forward to a month full of connection, reflection, and joy! ✨
This year, I'm kicking off 2026 with some terrific PD offerings all across Ontario!

I hope to see you there!
A new poem/reflection today on some of the big ide A new poem/reflection today on some of the big ideas we discuss a lot as Educators.
Happy Friday💛

#engagement #expression #well-being #belonging #howdoeslearninghappen
Thanks for the memories! 🎉 2025 was a pivotal year Thanks for the memories! 🎉
2025 was a pivotal year for Unlocking Childhood, full of new relationships, deepened practice, and personal transformation—and I can’t wait to share what I’ve got in store for 2026!🤫🤭…

With so much gratitude, thank you for supporting a dream come true 💛 

Wishing you all a beautiful new year, and I hope our paths continue to cross along the way! ✨
I had a phenomenal time at this year's NAEYC confe I had a phenomenal time at this year's NAEYC conference!💛

Offering my session was such an honour-- but equally memorable were the stories and insights many folks shared with me after my session. 

I also set a very clear goal for myself as a learner: to grow my understanding of equity, anti-bias education, and advocacy in ECE. Fortunately, I was able to attend sessions that helped me work towards this goal in meaningful ways.

Thank you to the @naeyc for the opportunity to Lead & Learn! ✨
✈️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
Follow on Instagram
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Understanding Young Children: The Blog

Do you want to deepen your understanding of young children?


Whether you are a parent, caregiver, or a professional who works with young children and families–these blog posts can serve to guide you in meeting up with the hearts & minds of young children.

We know that relating more closely with children can be cultivated in a variety of ways. In the UC Blog, I offer quick but impactful reads from several perspectives: The Child, The Self, The Environment and Materials, and The Culture. Enjoy!


The Child, The Self · July 16, 2025

The World Needs Our Softness

All that SoftnessDo not mistake her gentlenessfor weakness.It takes a spine of steelto carry all that softness.~Jessica Kantrowitz When I first heard this poem, I knew it connected to my…

Read More

The Child · July 8, 2025

Listen in as Mary Discusses Trauma-Informed Care in ECE

The Child, The Self · April 16, 2025

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

Tune in to learn how we can stop overloading children and ourselves, and instead focus on building resilient, peaceful minds. Join Mary Hewitt as she inspires us to reimagine childhood…

Read More

The Child, The Self · March 18, 2025

Buoyant Classrooms: 4 Ways Educators Can Promote Resiliency in Children

In these changing and complex times, educators and parents are expressing a strong interest in how to foster resiliency in young children. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, “being…

Read More

The Child, The Culture, The Self · October 8, 2024

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

When I was growing up, I never heard one woman say anything  good thing about her body. I also never knew a woman who wasn’t on a mission to change…

Read More

The Child, The Culture · August 1, 2024

On the Topic of Neuro Divergence!

Many years ago, it was decided for us that neurotypical brains would be the ones we would build a society around. If we step back, we can see how workplaces,…

Read More

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“Professional development is much more than traini “Professional development is much more than training. 
It’s an ongoing commitment to personal and collective growth, an invitation to curiosity, and a renewal of openness.” ✨
Surprise e-mails from clients after sessions are s Surprise e-mails from clients after sessions are so, so special💛 I feel so fortunate to be doing this work together with you! 
My 2026 schedule is shaping up quickly, and I can’t wait to see what this year will bring!
Let’s go! 🪄✨
📌 Looking forward to a month full of connection, r 📌 Looking forward to a month full of connection, reflection, and joy! ✨
This year, I'm kicking off 2026 with some terrific PD offerings all across Ontario!

I hope to see you there!
A new poem/reflection today on some of the big ide A new poem/reflection today on some of the big ideas we discuss a lot as Educators.
Happy Friday💛

#engagement #expression #well-being #belonging #howdoeslearninghappen
Thanks for the memories! 🎉 2025 was a pivotal year Thanks for the memories! 🎉
2025 was a pivotal year for Unlocking Childhood, full of new relationships, deepened practice, and personal transformation—and I can’t wait to share what I’ve got in store for 2026!🤫🤭…

With so much gratitude, thank you for supporting a dream come true 💛 

Wishing you all a beautiful new year, and I hope our paths continue to cross along the way! ✨
I had a phenomenal time at this year's NAEYC confe I had a phenomenal time at this year's NAEYC conference!💛

Offering my session was such an honour-- but equally memorable were the stories and insights many folks shared with me after my session. 

I also set a very clear goal for myself as a learner: to grow my understanding of equity, anti-bias education, and advocacy in ECE. Fortunately, I was able to attend sessions that helped me work towards this goal in meaningful ways.

Thank you to the @naeyc for the opportunity to Lead & Learn! ✨
✈️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
Follow on Instagram

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