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Hello Muskoka Early Childhood Educators!
As early childhood professionals, we know that every child brings a unique story into the classroom, shaped by their family, community, language, and traditions. This month, we're turning our focus to something foundational yet often under-acknowledged: the role of culture in early learning environments.
How Does Learning Happen tells us that programs should be reflective of the cultural and linguistic backgrounds of the children and families they serve, to show they value each child and family’s unique and diverse backgrounds and make the child feel they belong. “The web of family and community is the child’s anchor for early development.” Some things to think about when bringing culture into our classrooms:
- What are the unique characteristics and strengths of each family in our program?
- How can we weave these into different areas of the program?
- What can we do to strengthen “cultural competence” within our program?
- How can we help families to experience a sense of belonging in our program?
- How can we engage with families as co-learners about and with their children?
Culture can be defined as the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group and, as educators, we need to be careful of falling into the Tokenism Trap: including items of cultural significance to your program, but with no purpose or meaning, such as hanging a piece of Indigenous artwork without talking about the item’s significance. Some authentic ways to incorporate culture into yr classroom can be found on the District's website: 7 Ways to incorporate Culture into Your Classroom.
When we create culturally responsive classrooms, we’re not only honoring children's identities — we’re also building the foundation for strong self-esteem, empathy, inclusion, and future well-being. Together, let’s continue building classrooms where every child feels seen, respected, and valued.
All the best,
The Children Services Team
Email: childrensprograms@muksoka.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. | |
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College of ECE’s - Practice Guideline - Diversity and Culture
You can use this resource to help you learn about:
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The importance of reflecting on your beliefs and bias, and to consider how they influence your practice.
- Ways to build relationships and communicate across differences.
- How to co-create culturally responsive, inclusive learning environments that embed diverse perspectives.
- The significance of leadership in inclusive practice and policy development and review.
| | | | A radical vision for children's right to participate and be heard - Marc Battle | | Lorrie McGee, Anne Marie Coughlin and Marc Battle explore what it means to center children’s voices in education, not just as a value, but as a practice that informs the very design of classrooms, curriculum, and educator training. Visit the Storypark Webpage for more. | | What about Muskoka's Culture? | | |
We often think Muskoka doesn’t have a culture, but our local heritage, unique landscape, and diverse community offers rich opportunities for cultural connection:
- Explore how trees grow and how they can be turned into lumber to build homes – incorporates Muskoka’s logging history.
- Use pretend play to explore cottage life and camping adventures.
- Introduce local art styles or artists in simple ways (e.g., painting like Tom Thomson or Group of Seven)
- Host a mini “Muskoka Art Show” with children’s nature-inspired art.
- Use storytelling to share local legends or seasonal changes (e.g., “Why the Loon Has Red Eyes”).
- Grow simple herbs or vegetables (like carrots, beans, or strawberries).
- Invite local nature experts, artisans, musicians, or conservation groups for visits or short workshops.
| | Discover Muskoka highlights art and culture experiences in Muskoka, including galleries, music festivals, and local talent showcases. Visit Discover Muskoka. | |
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A not-for-profit artist community promoting visual arts and craft awareness across Muskoka. They organize annual events like the Summer Show. Visit Muskoka Arts & Crafts. | | A non-profit organization dedicated to serving the needs of urban Indigenous people in Muskoka. MIFC offers culturally appropriate services, programs, and supports, including gathering hubs across the region. Their mission is to improve the quality of life for Indigenous individuals in urban environments while respecting cultural distinctiveness. Visit the Muskoka Indigenous Friends Cultural Centre (MIFC) | |
| | | Located in Huntsville, this site includes the Muskoka Museum, Muskoka Pioneer Village, and the Portage Flyer Train. It offers seasonal events and programs, including a National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration. Visit Muskoka Heritage Place. | |
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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.
| | | ECE workforce Development Corner | | |
Muskoka’s Community of Practice for supervisors offers a valuable space for professionals to come together. Through these gatherings, we foster a culture of professional learning and knowledge sharing. Each individual brings unique strengths to the group, enriching the learning experience for everyone.
Being part of a community makes it easier to take risks, knowing there is support from others when needed.
I hope this Community of Practice will continue to reflect deeply on the core reasons why we dedicate ourselves to working with and for children. Our personal journeys have shaped who we are as professionals, and while many of us have developed strong, unwavering core values, there is always room for growth and new perspectives.
Culture is dynamic, evolving as the world presents fresh opportunities and challenges. Together, we can take risks, challenge our thinking, and embrace change while staying true to our shared commitment to children and their futures.
With Gratitude,
Pam
| | | Infant and Early Years Mental Health Deep Dive. | | |
On June 6, educators from Muskoka and Simcoe County came together at Bayview Wildwood Resort for a full day of learning about Infant and Early Years Mental Health. Over 140 educators from all walks of early childhood education were thrilled to hear Dr. Jean Clinton and Lorrie McGee speak on the importance of belonging, culturally responsive classrooms, and care routines as the foundation for brain development and future mental wellness.
Some takeaways from the day:
- Infant Mental Health is the developing capacity of the child to form close and secure adult and peer relationships; experience, manage and express a full range of emotions; explore the environment and learn all in the context of family, community, and culture.
- Attachment – caregivers who are available and responsive to the infant’s needs establish a sense of security in their children. Infants know that a caregiver is dependable, which creates a secure base for the child to explore the world.
- Developing self-regulation is central to a child’s capacity to learn and is critical for both social relationships and academic knowledge for years to come.
- All behaviour has a reason – try and see the world from the child’s perspective. What stressors are they experiencing, and how can we reduce or eliminate them?
- Child mental health = healthy social and emotional development.
Local staff were trained as facilitators and led conversations throughout the day to dive deeper into how we can best support mental wellness in the earliest years. Facilitators will come together in a few months to continue moving the conversation forward and championing early mental wellness in our communities. Stay tuned for more information about Infant and Early Years Mental Health initiatives in Muskoka in future newsletters.
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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 | | | | |
A World Together, By Sonia Manzano
This lovely picture book from a first-generation American affirms our common humanity as it presents the glorious similarities and differences that connect us all. It's a charming book to share with friends and family and to read aloud with little ones. It has an inspiring message: With laugher and love, we can help bring a world together.
"The world is full of wonderful people, just like you!"
| | Professional Book Recommendation | | |
This book presents an expanded view of infant and toddler development to equip educators with the knowledge, dispositions, and skills to create high-quality settings and interactions so that every child can have the best start in life. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspective of the child. What does this classroom, this teacher, and this experience look like and feel like to each child? How do teachers develop deeper understanding of development and learning in the context of children’s families, cultures, and lives and apply this knowledge to teaching decisions?
Each chapter offers resources, research, teaching tips, activities to empower children, and questions for reflection and discussion.
| | | | Challah is a traditional Jewish egg bread that represents blessings and traditions that bring friends and families together on holidays. It is braided before baking, so it can be passed around the table and each person breaks a piece off to eat with their meal. Get the recipe here - Challah. | |
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