Early Childhood Pedagogy Network
(ECPN)
The Early Childhood Pedagogy Network (ECPN) mobilizes the call for transformational change in early childhood education in British Columbia. In collaboration with communities, the ECPN creates spaces for vibrant public conversations about pedagogical processes and projects in early childhood spaces. The ECPN extends and formalizes the work of the Investigating Quality (IQ) (2005-2010) and Community Facilitators Pilot (2011-2018) projects. The ECPN works in partnership with the Early Childhood Educators of British Columbia (ECEBC) in the development of the re:materia program and in the ongoing implementation of ECPN's Early Childhood Pedagogist Program funded by the BC Ministry of Education and Child Care.
re:materia program
The re:materia program engages early childhood educators in creatively and critically reimagining pedagogical processes and curriculum-making around waste. Grounded in social and ecological justice frameworks, re:materia proposes new directions for early childhood education that rethink the Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) and refigure young children’s waste futures. re:materia is a partnership between ECPN and ECEBC.
In May 2024, exhi’pit was launched at the ECEBC conference as a provocation to rethink waste practices in early childhood education. This mini documentary captures its debut, inviting viewers into a multisensory conversation about waste cycles, pedagogical responsibility, and the collective work of imagining more just and sustainable futures with and alongside children.
Course Offering:
Waste as Material: Reimagining the ECE Classroom
Next cohort offering coming winter 2026
Drawing on a range of perspectives, this course invites educators to rethink waste materials in early childhood spaces.
Modules:
- Relationships with Materials
- Common Worlding
- Materials and Waste
- Bringing it all Together
*22 Pro-D hours will be provided for completing the course
For more information please download the PDF or visit the BC Early Years Hub.
Upcoming Workshops:
Please register for each workshop individually. You are welcome to attend any or all sessions.
Conversation XII Part 1
Engaging Children’s Processes
Join this Early Childhood Pedagogist Program event to hear pedagogists April Martin and Mary Kim in conversation with educators about how they work together to attend to children’s processes in curriculum-making. This is the first session in a four-part series highlighting diverse aspects of pedagogists’ work in early childhood centres.
Please register in advance for this webinar:
Location: Zoom
Date: January 27, 2026
Time: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time
Professional Development Hours will be provided for all participants.
Rethinking Digital Technologies in the Early Years
Philosophy, AI, and Practice
In this presentation, Professor Susan Edwards, Director of the Early Childhood Futures research program and Head of Discipline for Early Childhood Education at Australian Catholic University, considers how ideas from the philosophy of technology can support thoughtful engagement with digital tools and AI in early childhood education. As technology, especially AI, becomes increasingly present in early years settings, educators are being asked to navigate complex questions about what these tools do and how they shape children's experiences. This presentation responds to the BC ELF's invitation for educators to critically reflect on engagements with technologies in the 21st-century classrooms. Professor Edwards also discusses the difference between AI in Education and AI and Education, highlighting why this distinction matters for the early years. The session offers space to think together about the growing presence of digital technologies and the questions they raise for educators today.
Please register in advance for this webinar:
Location: Zoom
Date: February 11, 2026
Time: 7:00 - 8:30p.m. Pacific Time
Professional Development hours will be provided for all participants
Conversation XII Part II
In Conversation with Children
Join this Early Childhood Pedagogist Program event to hear pedagogists Lu Jiang and Tracy Barkman in conversation with educators about how they work alongside educators to foster rich and meaningful conversations with children. This is the second session in a four-part series that features various aspects of pedagogists’ work in early childhood centres.
Please register in advance for this webinar:
Location: Zoom
Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Time: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time
Professional Development Hours will be provided for all participants
Conversation XII: Part III
Attending to Children’s Lifeworlds
Join this Early Childhood Pedagogist Program event to hear pedagogists Maria Jeong and Rachel Phillips in conversation with educators about observation practices that connect to pedagogical processes. This is the third session in a four-part series that features various aspects of pedagogists’ work in early childhood centres.
Please register in advance for this webinar:
Location: Zoom
Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026
Time: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time
Professional Development Hours will be provided for all participants
Conversation XII: Part IV
Working with Pedagogical Commitments
Join this Early Childhood Pedagogist Program event to hear pedagogists Heather Van Harten and Karen Rodden in conversation with educators about how they work with pedagogical commitments in their practice. This is the fourth session in a four-part series that features various aspects of pedagogists’ work in early childhood centres.
Please register in advance for this webinar:
Location: Zoom
Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Time: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time
Professional Development Hours will be provided for all participants
Please visit the ECPN website for more information. To receive updates on ECPN events, please sign up for their news and updates. You can also follow ECPN on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.
Questions or Comments? Contact Us
If you have any questions regarding the Early Childhood Educators of BC please contact us.