learning stories - 2015 bcaccs early years conference
TRANSCRIPT
Learning StoriesBCACCS Conference 2015
Melanie Midgley & Terri Mack
!
Introduction - Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre’s Early Years Outreach programme
Learning Stories - being present with heart, mind and spirit
Parents as partners - ‘tools’ of engagement
NAC’s Animal Spirit Bags - links to 5 areas of development
Strong Nations Resources - http://www.strongnations.com
Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca
Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre Aboriginal Early Years Outreach Worker
NAC is a community organization with a focus on early childhood development that acknowledges the critical importance of supporting healthy human development in the early years. !A home visit programme that honours the valuable role of parents and other caring adults - what’s my role? ! Home visits are guided by 5 Animal Spirit Bags and learning shared with families - how can we best prepare urban Aboriginal children for school? !Funded by AIS (Aboriginal Innovation Services) and mandated to use ASQ - why collect data?
NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca
Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca
How do you recognize the strengths of your learners?
Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca
Learning StoriesBuilds on tradition of oral story-telling
Strength-based
Parents as partners
Language links
Next steps & ideas for parents
“Careful looking and listening leads to knowing each child’s development, interests, and abilities.”
BCACCS handbook of Best Practices in Aboriginal Early Childhood Programs - 2003 p.103
Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca
Strength-based practice:
Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca
Parents/Family-as-partners:
Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca
Culture and Language Links:
Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca
Next steps & Ideas for parents:
Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca
What could you pull from this model and use in your own practice?
Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca
Parents as partnersEmpower parents as first teachers - school readiness?
“Tools” of engagement
ASQ - yay or nay?
evaluation and self-reflection = networking and community resources
“Experience shows it can take as long as 3 years before parents are comfortable approaching staff.”
BCACCS handbook of Best Practices in Aboriginal Early Childhood Programms - 2003 p.107
Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca
Tools of engagement: !
Door-knocking !Learning stories & portfolio
!Incentives & Gifts
!Facebook !Scrapbooking
Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca
Ages and Stages Questionnaire:
Taken from: http://www.sapphirepediatrics.com/upload/3%20yr%20ASQ.pdf
Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca
How do you either engage or recognize the strengths of the parents that you work with?
Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca
Animal Spirit Bags
5 Areas of DevelopmentWritten by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre
www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.caArtist: Joel Good - Snuneymuxw First Nation
Frog Spirit Bag !
listens
takes turns
tells stories
traditions
songs
Animal Spirit:
Traditionally the frog symbolizes communication. The frog is adaptable and peaceful. !Key area of Development: COMMUNICATION
Communication skills, oral language. !Aboriginal Early Learning Goal:
Learning is embedded in memory, history, and story.
Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca
Eagle Spirit Bag: !letters & sounds
draws
writes
counts
reads
Animal Spirit: Traditionally the eagle represents wisdom and intellect. The eagle is a spiritual leader. !Area of Development: COGNITIVE LEARNING
“Academic learning” - in early years we must be creative in how this looks… !Aboriginal Early Learning Goal:
Learning recognizes the role of indigenous knowledge.
Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca
Bear Spirit Bag: !
brave
strong
helps others
self-care !
Animal Spirit: Traditionally the bear symbolizes power and strength. The bear has courage and is a protector. !Area of Development: PHYSICAL HEALTH & WELL-BEING
Being physically active, taking care of your body, being brave. !Aboriginal Early Learning Goal:
Learning requires exploration of one’s identity. !!
Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca
What could you pull from this practice?
Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca
RESOURCES http://www.strongnations.com
Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca
Aiy-Aiy
Thank you
Merci
Klecko-klecko
Gilakas’la
Huy ch q’u
Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca