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2023 ECEBC Conference

Published: February 13th, 2023

ECEBC invites you to attend our 52nd Annual Conference Power of Story May 11 to 13th, 2023 in-person and online.

ECEBC is honoured to be in relation with the unceded traditional lands of the Coast Salish Peoples, specifically the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nations. We acknowledge the Urban First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples in the region. Many nations across the province collaborate in our shared work of supporting children, families, educators and communities and we thank them for this continued relationship.

Category:

Conferences

early childhood educators panel

52nd Annual ECEBC Conference May 11th to 13th, 2023

Power of Story

ECEBC's annual conference is a 3 day in-person conference this year with an online option on Saturday, May 13th. Join us for all 3 days, combine two days in-person and join us online on Saturday or choose a combination that best suits your schedule. Tours and LTAT training are also available and conference guests are invited to attend the awards gala Friday evening. Find out more about the conference schedule below and in the 2023 conference guide. If you have any questions regarding the conference please contact sonia@ecebc.ca.

To register, visit the conference registration page and add the days you would like to attend (be sure to select your workshop selection for the day first), a tour (if desired) or the LTAT training to your cart and then checkout. During the checkout process, you can indicate if you will be attending the gala.

We are grateful for the support from the Westcoast Professional Development Bursary Fund as we are able to offer our ECEBC membership a significantly reduced conference rate. Not a member? Sign up today!

Conference Schedule, Presenters & Pricing

Please view the conference schedule below along with the pricing sheet. For more information on the individual workshops please see the 2023 conference guide or view the details of the specific day on the ECEBC Conference Registration page.

We are thankful to have another wonderful set of presenters for the 52nd annual ECEBC conference!

Day 1: Thursday May 11th, 2023
8:00am to 5:00pm

Check in at the registration desk and check out this years exhibitor fair!

Opening remarks to kick off the beginning of the three-day conference will begin at 9am.

Presenters: Cathy Balatti

In Canada, we are all too familiar with the word reconciliation and what it hopes to achieve. However, much like the relationship it seeks to restore, some are skeptical of the notion of reconciliation. If reconciliation is working to repair a good relationship, we must first consider if there was ever a good relationship between First Nations Peoples and Canada.

Informed by her own unreconciled pathways, Cathy will share the journey of reclaiming her identity, and invites early years professionals to step into the discomfort of the truth in order to develop a deeper understanding of our shared history.

There will be opportunity for table discussions, small group work, and a question and answer period during the keynote address.

Join us for a networking opportunity from 12:00 to 12:30pm

A buffet lunch will be available between 12:30pm and 1:30pm.

A second opportunity to connect with your colleagues from across the province and network with one another.

Session A breakout workshops are on from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. Enjoy your selected workshop!

Workshop Options:
Please see the conference brochure or the registration details page for more information on each workshop.

  • A1: Supporting Neurodiversity through an Emotional Regulation Approach
    Presenter: Kelsey Penney
  • A2: A Equitable, Diverse and Inclusive Workplace for Early Childhood Educators
    Presenter: Nora Bergh
  • A3: Self-Compassion, Your Inner Ally for More Peace and Patience and Less Overwhelm
    Presenter: Kate Toye
  • A4: Conversations with ECPN Pedagogists
    Presenters: BC Pedagogists
  • A5: Re-Generation: Radical De-Centring of Dominant Voices in Collective Early Childhood Community Work
    Presenter: Kathilee Porter and Meagan Snyder
  • A6: Beyond the Keynote: Intention to Action Indigenous Allyship
    Presenter: Cathy Balatti

*Exhibitor fair is open from 8:00am to 5:00pm

Day 2: Friday May 12th, 2023
8:30am to 5:00pm

Welcome back, we're happy you could join us this Friday!

Opening remarks to kick off the beginning of the second day will begin at 9:00am!

This morning's plenary focuses on the early years workforce with Don Giesbrecht discussing Canada's Early Learning and Child Care Workforce and the Canada-Wide plan. Dr. Reuben Ford speaking on Early Care and Learning Workforce Recruitment & Retention and a panel discussion with question and answer period to continue the conversation about the recruitment and retention of early childhood educators.

Check in with your colleagues, here's your chance to discuss ideas, opinions and thoughts on various topics and connect with one another!

A lunch buffet will be available again from 12:30 to 1:15pm.

Session B breakout workshops are on from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. Enjoy your selected workshop!

Workshop Options:
Please see the conference brochure or the registration details page for more information on each workshop.

  • B1: Mentorship: Facilitating Relational, Reciprocal and Collaborative Learning Groups
    Presenter: Karolyn Hendra
  • B2: Philosophy In Action: Aligning Pedagogical Practice with Philosophy
    Presenters: Shawna Hindson and Maggie Powter
  • B3: We All Belong - Reviewing Resources with an Anti-Bias Lens
    Presenter: Cassidy Taylor
  • B4: Two Provinces, Two Programs: Stories of Early Years Communities
    Presenters: Amber Straker and Dr. Laura Doan
  • B5: Stories from Community: Advocacy for an Equitable and Fair ECE Wage Grid in BC
    Presenters: Sharon Gregson, Ana Valle Rivera, Lynell Anderson
  • B6: Enriching Outcomes for Children and Families through Digital
    Storytelling
    Presenter: Peter Dixon
  • B7: Self-Compassion, Your Inner Ally for More Peace and Patience and Less Overwhelm
    Presenter: Kate Toye

Join us from 3:30pm to 4:30pm for the day's closing remarks.

*Exhibitor fair is open from 8:00am to 5:00pm

Centre Tours $40 (limited spaces):
Thurs. May 11th 6:00 to 8:30pm

Meet fellow delegates in the Radisson Hotel front lobby at 6:00 pm sharp to hop on our chartered bus for a guided tour of Terra Nova Nature School or Seedlings Early Childhood Development Hub.

(Participants will receive 2 professional development hours

Awards Gala
Fri. May 12th 6:30pm

All conference attendees are invited to join us for the Awards Gala. Please ensure you check off that you will be attending on your registration.

Day 3: Saturday May 13th, 2023 In Person
8:00am to 4:00pm

Check in at the registration desk and check out this years exhibitor fair!

Opening remarks to kick of the final day of the 52nd Annual ECEBC Conference!

Presenter: Carol Rowan

What do stories do? Why do stories matter? How do we, as early childhood educators and pedagogues live and work with stories? Who shares stories with you? With whom do you share stories? Why do we share stories? In this Keynote I will share stories about storying in early childhood practice. I want to speak and think with you about stories as method, and stories as pedagogy. I’d like to tell stories about power through story. Stories come in an abundance of shapes and forms, with a myriad of purposes and potentials and powers. I will suggest that one thing stories can do, is provide the marrow for practices in early childhood education that know about histories and engage in presences. Practices which position us to recognize and cherish and question our lived experiences. Practices which are: ethical, political, complex, curious, and concerned about our common world.

Session C breakout workshops are on from 10:15am to 12:15pm. Enjoy your selected workshop!

Workshop Options:
Please see the conference brochure or the registration details page for more information on each workshop.

  • C1: How to Tell an Epic Story
    Presenter: Maureen Caley-Verdonk
  • C2: Wonderings with Ward - Through an Infant/Toddler Lens
    Presenter: Ward Nakata
  • C3: Come join our Coast Salish Talking Circle
    Presenters: Ada Mawson and Coast Salish Knowledge Keepers
  • C4: Embracing Gender Diversity in Our Sites of Practice
    Presenters: Elliot Wheatcroft and Kendra Hill
  • C5: Mapping an Educator’s Journey Through their ECE Career
    Presenter: Peter Dixon
  • C6: Exploring Supports for Health and Wellness of Early Educators
    Presenter: Laurie Ford
  • C7: Decolonizing Early Learning and Child Care Spaces
    Presenter: Cathy Balatti
  • C8: Supporting and Sustaining Ethical Practice in Early Years Settings
    Presenter: Charlene Gray

A buffet lunch will be available between 12:30pm and 1:15pm.

Session D breakout workshops are on from 1:15pm to 3:15pm. Enjoy your selected workshop!

Workshop Options:
Please see the conference brochure or the registration details page for more information on each workshop.

  • D1: Co-constructing Stories with Children Using Loose Parts and Art Mediums to Promote Early Literacy
    Presenter: Pooja Kalsi
  • D2: Cuddle Up and Read: Using Read-Alouds to Connect Unconditional Love, Identity and Activism
    Presenter: Meagan Snyder
  • D3: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Early Childhood Setting
    Presenter: Annette Calhoun
  • D4: A Me to We Framework of Leadership
    Presenter: Katie Hodder
  • D5: Celebrating Leadership with Shared Reflection and Stories
    Presenters: Tammy Dewar, Alaina Smith, Daljit Dial, Ewa Boss, Gretta Kawshara, Leola McMillian, Narisse Christensen, and Natalia McGonigal
  • D6: Critical Literacy & Diversity: A Close Look at the Books We Choose
    Presenter: Ashleigh Davies
  • D7: What is Your Story?
    Presenter: Karli Michelle

Join us for the closing address titled Self-Compassion, Your Inner Ally with Kate Toye and thank you for joining us!

What story are you telling yourself about yourself? Are you your own best friend or your worst critic? What could be possible if you tapped into your inner ally, self-compassion? During this experiential talk, Kate will take you on your own inner adventure. You will tap into the wisdom of your body, meet some of your hidden "parts", and understand where your inner story may have originated from, and with curiosity and compassion you will uncover powerful self-loving stories that are waiting for you to reconnect with.

Thank you for joining us for the 52nd annual ECEBC conference!

*Exhibitor fair is open from 8:00am to 4:00pm

Online: Saturday May 13th
8:00am to 4:30pm

Welcome to Saturday's online conference. We're glad you could join us!

Presenter: Carol Rowan

What do stories do? Why do stories matter? How do we, as early childhood educators and pedagogues live and work with stories? Who shares stories with you? With whom do you share stories? Why do we share stories? In this Keynote I will share stories about storying in early childhood practice. I want to speak and think with you about stories as method, and stories as pedagogy. I’d like to tell stories about power through story. Stories come in an abundance of shapes and forms, with a myriad of purposes and potentials and powers. I will suggest that one thing stories can do, is provide the marrow for practices in early childhood education that know about histories and engage in presences. Practices which position us to recognize and cherish and question our lived experiences. Practices which are: ethical, political, complex, curious, and concerned about our common world.

Online breakout workshops are on from 10:15am to 12:15pm. Enjoy your selected workshop!

Workshop Options:
Please see the conference brochure or the registration details page for more information on each workshop.

  • H1: Territory Acknowledgments
  • H2: Re-thinking screen time with children to explore inquiries and tell learning stories

Grab a bite to eat and join us again at 1:15pm!

Online breakout workshops are on from 1:15pm to 3:15pm. Enjoy your selected workshop!

Workshop Options:
Please see the conference brochure or the registration details page for more information on each workshop.

  • H3: Mentorship: Facilitating Relational, Reciprocal and Collaborative Learning Groups
  • H4: Using digital tools to support inclusive pedagogical practices with students

To close out this year's conference join us for a livestream of the closing address titled Self-Compassion, Your Inner Ally with Kate Toye and thank you for joining us!

What story are you telling yourself about yourself? Are you your own best friend or your worst critic? What could be possible if you tapped into your inner ally, self-compassion? During this experiential talk, Kate will take you on your own inner adventure. You will tap into the wisdom of your body, meet some of your hidden "parts", and understand where your inner story may have originated from, and with curiosity and compassion you will uncover powerful self-loving stories that are waiting for you to reconnect with

 

 

Let's Talk About Touching (LTAT)
(Pilot Program)

Thurs. May 11th 8:45am to 4:45pm
Fri. May 12th 8:45am to 4:45pm

Presenters: Lee McArthur, Cari Rawling, Ada Mawson

ECEBC is pleased to offer the revised Let’s Talk About Touching (LTAT) workshop for teacher training. This is an exciting opportunity for you to be engaged in the re-development of this program.

LTAT is an inclusive child abuse prevention program for children and has been a valuable resource for Early Childhood Educators and teachers. After much research and feedback ECEBC has updated this longstanding program to reflect current language and early years practices. ECEBC is running this as a pilot program as we use the input of participants to further develop this program.

This updated 3rd edition of the LTAT Teacher Training workshop is a total of 15 hours over the course of two days and prepares certified ECEs and teachers to engage with the LTAT program with children in their programs. The workshop is broken down into four modules.

  • Module 1: provides an overview of the LTAT program and defines child abuse.
  • Module 2: focuses on the educator’s legal responsibilities when a child discloses abuse, and how to make a report and overcome barriers when making a report.
  • Modules 3 and 4: provide an overview of the LTAT program and kit, and how to deliver the LTAT program with children in your centre.

Each LTAT kit includes a program manual with nine lessons, family resource materials, teaching pictures, felt board figures, sorting cards, puppets, teaching dolls, and other resources.

The subsidized cost of this training has been made available through the Government of BC, Professional Development Fund.

Cost: $40.00 (includes lunch buffet for the 2 days)

To register please go to the conference registration page, add the LTAT option to your cart and checkout.