Join us for a rich learning experience through an online professional development series, where we delve into Project of Heart—an immersive educational experience that integrates artistic expression with social justice education. Participants will be prompted to explore creative avenues to articulate their understanding and actively participate in knowledge exchange. This learning series represents a step towards acknowledging and addressing Canada’s historical policies aimed at assimilating Indigenous Peoples into mainstream society. It enhances understanding through reflexive practice and informs impactful work with Indigenous children and families
Suggested Uses for Early Childhood Educators:
Interactive Online Learning Sessions: Use the series as part of online learning sessions where educators explore Canada’s history with Indigenous Peoples through creative exercises, such as storytelling, visual arts, or poetry, to articulate their understanding and reflections.
Art-Based Pedagogical Approaches: Encourage educators to integrate art-based activities, inspired by the Project of Heart, into their daily teaching practices. Use art projects to help children express their feelings, thoughts, and understanding of social justice and Indigenous histories.
Professional Learning Communities: Establish professional learning communities where educators regularly meet to discuss insights from the series, share creative ideas, and reflect on how to apply their learnings in early childhood settings.
Curriculum Development Workshops: Utilize the series to guide workshops focused on developing new curricula that incorporates social justice education and artistic expression, fostering a deeper understanding of Indigenous perspectives among young learners.
Reflective Journals and Portfolios: Encourage educators to maintain reflective journals or create portfolios that capture their learning journey throughout the series. Use these tools to document their growth, understanding, and application of knowledge related to social justice and Indigenous education.
Family Engagement Activities: Share learnings from the series with families through workshops or take-home activities that encourage discussions about Indigenous histories and cultural respect, fostering greater community awareness and involvement.
Collaborative Art Projects: Facilitate collaborative art projects involving educators, children, and families that reflect the themes explored in the series, such as resilience, justice, and reconciliation, to promote a shared understanding and commitment to equity.
Learning Outcomes for Early Childhood Educators:
Increased Awareness of Historical Contexts: Educators will develop a deeper understanding of Canada’s historical policies aimed at assimilating Indigenous Peoples and how these policies have shaped present-day realities for Indigenous communities.
Development of Creative Teaching Strategies: Educators will learn to utilize artistic expression as a powerful tool for social justice education, helping young children understand complex issues through age-appropriate, creative methods.
Enhanced Reflexive Practice: Educators will strengthen their ability to engage in reflexive practice, critically examining their assumptions, biases, and teaching approaches to ensure they align with principles of equity and inclusion.
Culturally Responsive Pedagogy: Educators will be better equipped to design and implement culturally responsive pedagogies that honor and respect Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and teaching.
Promotion of Social Justice in Early Years Education: Educators will learn strategies to integrate social justice concepts into their early childhood settings, creating spaces that encourage dialogue, empathy, and understanding among young children.
Commitment to Reconciliation: Educators will deepen their commitment to reconciliation, understanding their role in acknowledging historical injustices and contributing to healing and understanding through their work with Indigenous children and families.
Empowerment to Advocate for Change: Educators will feel empowered to advocate for policy changes and practices within their organizations that promote justice, equity, and inclusion for Indigenous children and families.