Join the YRNC to celebrate Earth Day. Two amazing workshops offered! Register for one or both. Register here.

Morning Workshop 9-12:30pm ($80 +HST, light breakfast included)
Facilitated by Dr. Diane Kashin, RECE and Cindy Green, B.Sc, RECE

Workshop Description:
Risky Play is a hot topic in the world of early learning. While risk may be seen as something that is negative and should be avoided, it is extremely beneficial to children’s development. Children require environments that allow them to engage in risk-taking play. Risky play helps children learn about their world; test out what is and is not possible; learn about making mistakes; and discover new things about their space, place, and environment. Risk taking contributes to children’s in-depth problem solving and critical thinking skills. Children in over-regulated environments have significantly fewer opportunities to master the challenges that are available in active play spaces. Attend this interactive workshop to experience the joys and benefits of risky play, engage dialogue and recognize how our own attitudes may inhibit children’s opportunities for risk-taking and at the same time learn how to manage risky play by engaging in a risk benefit assessment.

Afternoon Workshop 12:30-3:30 ($50 +HST, lunch included)
Facilitated by Tanya Murray, YRDSB

Workshop Description:
StoryWalk® is an innovative and delightful way for children — and adults! — to enjoy reading and the great outdoors at the same time. Laminated pages from a children's book are attached to wooden stakes, which are placed along an outdoor path. As you stroll down the trail, you're directed to the next page in the story. This YRNC workshop will set you up for success in making and delivering your first experiential-based StoryWalk®. It will provide an opportunity to co-create participant-centred delivery ideas and inspire you to take physical literacy – outside!
The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont and developed in collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition and the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. 

*Bring along a copy of your favourite picture book and we can incorporate a discussion about what makes some stories more effective than others.

Facilitator’s Bios:

Cindy Green, B.Sc, RECE
Cindy is a registered in early childhood educator in the province of Ontario in Canada. Cindy has been an active member of the York Region early learning community for many decades. She taught at Seneca College in the School of Early Childhood Education and has recently retired from the college. In her current role as an early learning consultant, Cindy’s passion and enthusiasm about learning through playful inquiry keeps her busy facilitating numerous sessions for educators and families. Cindy and Diane have been colleagues, critical friends and co-presenters for years. They both share a passion for Reggio-inspired practice, and all things play.

Dr. Diane Kashin, RECE
Diane is a registered early childhood educator in the province of Ontario in Canada. Diane taught early childhood education at Seneca College at both the degree and the diploma level. Diane has co-written two textbooks with Pearson Canada; Playing and Learning in Early Childhood Education (2012) and Empowering Pedagogy (2016). Diane retired from Seneca College in 2014 and is teaching part time at Ryerson University in Toronto. Diane is the co-researcher on a Lawson Foundation funded research project on outdoor play. Diane also writes a blog to support professional learning in early childhood education: http://tecribresearch.wordpress.com and loves to engage in continuous professional learning face to face and through social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Diane presents workshops and keynote addresses in Ontario, across Canada and internationally. Her passions are emergent curriculum and supporting the forest and nature school movement.

Tanya Murray, YRDSB

Tanya is a graduate of Kinesiology from McMaster University and holds a Bachelor of Education degree from University of Toronto. She is an avid outdoors-person who is passionate about developing nature connections for learners of all ages. Qualified and experienced in 3 divisions (Primary, Junior, Intermediate), Tanya loves to learn alongside others in both conventional and alternative environments. She recently completed a Regional Term Position at Sibbald Point Outdoor Education Centre and led a Ministry Pilot focused on Environmental Inquiry.

She is a certified Outdoor Council of Canada Instructor and is currently working toward her Level 3 Forest School Practitioners Certification. Prior to classroom teaching, Tanya worked in the outdoor education field as a wilderness guide, adventure education facilitator, and spent 5 years at an independent school servicing vulnerable Toronto youth. Follow Tanya on twitter @InspireOutside.