“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 · April 23, 2024

Children Invite Us to Grow: Moving Beyond Triggering Behaviours in Children

What if…we didn’t have children solely because we love children and we want a family.What if…we didn’t become educators just because we love children and we want to teach.What if…we…

Read More

The Environment & Materials, The Self · March 13, 2024

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

According to the quote by John Shedd, “A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” And this has me thinking about children, too….

Read More

The Child · March 6, 2024

How My Elementary School Fostered Resiliency in the Midst of Trauma

At the beginning of grade three, I moved to a new elementary school, and I will never forget the first time I walked through the front doors.  As I entered…

Read More

The Child, The Culture · February 13, 2024

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

When we think of the concept of “play” in the context of childhood, perhaps specific ideas come to mind of what this ‘looks like’: a child exploring in a sandbox,…

Read More

The Child, The Self · February 7, 2024

Introduction to ‘Conscious Care’: Re-examining the Self to Better Serve Children

Whether you are a professional or a parent, working with children is a labour of love. When we support and guide children, it comes from the heart (I know this…

Read More

The Child, The Self · January 24, 2024

Come As You Are: Cultivating Belonging with Children

“Being able to feel safe with other people is probably the single most important aspect of mental health; safe connections are fundamental to meaningful and satisfying lives”. -Dr. Bessel Van…

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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