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Hello Muskoka Early Years Professionals!
Hopefully, the shock and disbelief of how April began in Muskoka is now giving way to the wonder and awe of the spring season. This year’s weather felt like a very unfunny April Fool’s joke, and I sincerely hope you are all safe and well, and that recovery from the ice storm is mostly behind you.
While I believe every day should be Earth Day, April 22 offers a special opportunity to focus on sustainability, environmental awareness, and gratitude for our beautiful planet. I hope the day was meaningful and fun in your programs and that it sparked ongoing conversations about caring for our surroundings, connecting with nature, and celebrating the Earth in everyday moments.
As spring unfolds around us, it’s the perfect time to awaken children’s natural sense of wonder about the world. Whether it's watching a robin tug a worm from the soil, spotting the first buds on a tree, or hearing the buzz of an early bee, these small moments are filled with curiosity and possibility.
Why not encourage children to become Earth Detectives by asking questions like:
- What’s growing in our yard that wasn’t here last week?
- Why are worms important?
- Where does rain go when it soaks into the ground?
These simple observations often lead to big ideas and deep learning. When we model a curious, open mindset, children learn to approach the world with respect, empathy, and appreciation.
Here are a few ideas to spark Wonder with children:
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Nature Walk Wonder Journals - Provide children with clipboards or small journals for outdoor walks. Ask open-ended questions like, “What do you notice?” or “What do you wonder about this leaf?” Help them record or draw their observations.
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Wonder Wall - Create a space in your classroom where children can post their questions—no matter how big or small. Explore one or two each week through books, experiments, discussions, or hands-on activities.
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Mystery Box Mondays - Start the week with a “mystery box” containing a hidden object. Invite children to use their senses—without looking—to guess what’s inside. This simple activity builds curiosity, vocabulary, and critical thinking.
Have you captured a moment of wonder in your program recently? A child’s thoughtful question? A magical discovery?
We’d love to feature your stories in next month’s newsletter! Please feel free to send in photos, quotes, or short reflections and share the wonder with our community.
Thank you, as always, for the passion and care you bring to your work. Here’s to a month of warm sunshine, muddy boots, and beautiful questions.
Warmly,
Corinna Krocker, RECE
Children's Services Community Facilitator
Email: corinna.krocker@muskoka.on.ca
| | Please note that the information contained in this newsletter is intended to encourage conversation and self-reflection and is not to be considered as advice. | | Upcoming Professional Development | |
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**In Person Workshop**
Becoming Rainbow Food Explorers!
A joyful, sensory approach to food education in the early years.
This workshop will focus on how to make food experiences simple, engaging, and fun for children and families. It will enable adults to support children in becoming comfortable eating and enjoying a variety of foods and in discovering how food connects everything in their world. We’ll explore the concept of food literacy and why it’s so important today. We’ll discover the key ingredients in Rainbow Plate's colourful and evidence-based approach. Participants will have the opportunity to experience firsthand the impact of this joyful, sensory approach to food education.
It will support educators in building on the four foundations and wisdom of this key pedagogical document and bring them to life using food as a vehicle for learning. We’ll explore concepts connecting food, education, and children and consider the potential of food as a rich medium that can spark inquiry and learning across the curriculum. We’ll dive into the four foundations of “How Does Learning Happen?” - Belonging, Well-being, Engagement and Expression, and discover how food can be used to support each of these important ways of being. Participants will learn ideas, strategies, and activities for creating engaging, meaningful, and inclusive programming.
Date: May 13th, 2025.
Time: 5:30 to 8:00pm - Dinner starts at 5:30
Location: Bracebridge Sportsplex, Multipurpose Room
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Janet Nezon, Founder, Principal
Janet is the Rainbow lady behind this colourful movement. With a BSc in Nutritional Science, a Master’s degree in Health Promotion and a long career as an educator, she's part food education disruptor, part social entrepreneur and part visionary force. She’s also a mom of three grown children and a grandmother, so she’s been there. She knows what it’s like to raise and feed a family. She's an academic at heart and loves exploring the evidence and the 'WHY' behind this powerful and fresh approach to food education. Janet is passionate about making a difference and determined to help create a healthier future. She’s grateful for the support and contributions of so many individuals and organizations who have helped to bring this colourful vision to life.
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Check out the EnviroHub
Learn more about how the District of Muskoka is protecting Muskoka’s natural environment through programs like Muskoka Climate Heroes, the Clear Bag Program, Clean Muskoka Together, and more - all on Muskoka’s EnviroHub.
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Stay Informed on What's Happening in Muskoka with Between Two Pines!
Changes to garbage and recycling, opportunities for small businesses, affordable housing developments, road improvements—we've got you covered! Stay informed with our monthly e-newsletter, Between Two Pines.
| | | *NEW* ECE workforce Development Corner | | |
Advocacy is at the heart of workforce development in our ELCC sector, taking many different forms.
As educators, we consistently advocate for the children and families we support. We demonstrate our professionalism by maintaining our CPL, attending workshops, and staying informed through podcasts—all to provide the highest quality care and education. However, we may not always be the strongest advocates for ourselves, though this mindset is evolving. We understand the profound, positive impact we have on children’s lives, the vital support we offer to families, and the benefits we bring to our communities. It’s important that our advocacy, rooted in these strengths, continues to grow and be recognized.
If we want to expand our sector with knowledgeable, passionate ECEs, we must make it clear that they are valued and wanted. Every voice in our field matters. Quality child care matters. Let’s work together to ensure that our communities see and appreciate the important work we do.
As part of workforce development in the early years sector, we’re sharing a few publicly available resources ahead of the upcoming federal election.
These may be of interest to educators and parents looking to stay informed on sector-related issues:
Child Care Now – Info on wages, pensions, and benefits for early years professionals: Visit the website
Parents for Child Care – Parent-led Instagram page with stories and updates: Follow on Instagram
The District of Muskoka - Learn more about how we are supporting the Early Years Professionals in Muskoka by visiting our website: Early Childhood Educators in Muskoka
Let us continue to play, learn, and grow together!
With Gratitude,
Pam
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Mother's Day - May 11th
Father's Day - June 15th
| | | On Wednesday, April 2, Hands TheFamilyHelpNetwork.ca Autism Team hosted a community event to recognize World Autism Awareness Day, locally at our Bracebridge office. Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental disability characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. About 1 in every 50 Canadian children and adolescents has been diagnosed with autism, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. “Awareness is a really important first step that helps to start conversations, which lead to acceptance, equity, access, and empowerment,” said Paula Barnes, Manager of Autism Services at Hands. “As an Agency that works with people with Autism, it is important that we build awareness to advocate on an individual or family’s behalf to strive for equity, to provide access to important resources, and to empower them to live their best life. We are proud to bring 25 years of leadership in working with people and families with Autism to help create a better day, today and tomorrow.” | | |
This April 2nd event saw many Muskoka families stop in for refreshments, sensory friendly activities and games, and great conversations with our team. The weather kept some people at home, of course, as it was the week of the ice storm. Those who came out, young and older, had a great time.
Check us out on Facebook to find information about our World Autism Awareness Day next year and our sensory friendly and child focused Halloween event ( open to anyone who would like to try a sensory friendly and child focused Halloween event). We look forward to hosting inclusive open events again including World Autism Awareness Day, April 2, and helping to spread awareness, acceptance, and appreciation for people with autism in our community.
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Do you know a champion in our community, or do you want to share something awesome that happened in your program?
We have so many amazing people in the Muskoka Early Years sector and we would love to shine a light on the people, places and programs that show up and sparkle every day. Keep it simple, email Corinna a short write-up, add a photo or two and we will include it in the following newsletter.
| | | Children's Book Recommendation | | Wonder Walkers by Micha Archer. It is a Caldecott Honor Winner for good reason! | | | | |
