Lay a strong foundation for lifelong learning with our early childhood and PreK professional development. Our sessions provide educators with research-based strategies to nurture young learners' social, emotional, and cognitive development, while creating engaging, play-based environments. Empower the youngest students to thrive from the very start.
Playful Learning
Transform early childhood learning environments into landscapes for play! This professional development session provides practical strategies that create playful learning opportunities for diverse learners. It will provide a guide to developing play-based learning experiences as entry points for curriculum content. With these useful strategies and tips, educators can implement a child-centered approach to instruction that supports the diverse needs of learners and speaks to multiple identities and lived experiences through play.
In this session, learners will:
Explore the learning cycle using authentic classroom experiences and how they can be entry points for curriculum content.
Learn how to evaluate learners and their strengths, needs, and interests to consider how to offer play-based learning opportunities.
Uncover the components of an Invitation for Learning and how it supports diverse learners
Literacy Strategies
Enhance your early literacy instruction by diving into research-based strategies that will empower educators to apply the science of reading in their classrooms, ensuring young learners develop strong foundational literacy skills.
In this session, learners will:
Gain an understanding of key components such as phonological awareness, letter recognition, comprehension, content knowledge, and emergent writing
Learn practical strategies, complete with background information, objectives, and step-by-step implementation guides
Explore recommendations for tailoring strategies to meet the diverse needs of your students
Big Conversations
To work with young children is to constantly expect the unexpected. Tough questions are part of early childhood educators’ regular interactions with children and families. Learn how to support young children in a way that preserves their dignity and innocence when they encounter world and social events, in addition to honoring the family’s preferred approach.
In this session, learners will:
Investigate the tendency to silence children’s questions about difficult topics
Discuss appropriate ways for classroom teachers to address unexpected questions honestly and simply and to provide emotional support
Consider how to communicate with parents about a sensitive conversation with a child
Practice how to structure this type of conversation with a young child
Model this approach with authentic questions and responses young children may pose on a range of challenging topics
Sparking Learning
This insightful session on early childhood education, inspired by Chris Amirault's "Sparking Learning in Young Children" will equip educators with essential strategies and tools to foster successful educational journeys for all children.
In this session, learners will:
Explore the latest research and its practical implications for early childhood classrooms
Gain tools for effective collaboration with colleagues, children, and families
Learn best practices for room design and materials selection to enhance learning environments
Discover effective approaches to curriculum development, instruction, and assessment cycles
Build meaningful relationships with families to support children’s growth and development
Transform early childhood learning environments into landscapes for play! This professional development session provides practical strategies that create playful learning opportunities for diverse learners. It will provide a guide to developing play-based learning experiences as entry points for curriculum content. With these useful strategies and tips, educators can implement a child-centered approach to instruction that supports the diverse needs of learners and speaks to multiple identities and lived experiences through play.
In this session, learners will:
Explore the learning cycle using authentic classroom experiences and how they can be entry points for curriculum content.
Learn how to evaluate learners and their strengths, needs, and interests to consider how to offer play-based learning opportunities.
Uncover the components of an Invitation for Learning and how it supports diverse learners
Enhance your early literacy instruction by diving into research-based strategies that will empower educators to apply the science of reading in their classrooms, ensuring young learners develop strong foundational literacy skills.
In this session, learners will:
Gain an understanding of key components such as phonological awareness, letter recognition, comprehension, content knowledge, and emergent writing
Learn practical strategies, complete with background information, objectives, and step-by-step implementation guides
Explore recommendations for tailoring strategies to meet the diverse needs of your students
To work with young children is to constantly expect the unexpected. Tough questions are part of early childhood educators’ regular interactions with children and families. Learn how to support young children in a way that preserves their dignity and innocence when they encounter world and social events, in addition to honoring the family’s preferred approach.
In this session, learners will:
Investigate the tendency to silence children’s questions about difficult topics
Discuss appropriate ways for classroom teachers to address unexpected questions honestly and simply and to provide emotional support
Consider how to communicate with parents about a sensitive conversation with a child
Practice how to structure this type of conversation with a young child
Model this approach with authentic questions and responses young children may pose on a range of challenging topics
This insightful session on early childhood education, inspired by Chris Amirault's "Sparking Learning in Young Children" will equip educators with essential strategies and tools to foster successful educational journeys for all children.
In this session, learners will:
Explore the latest research and its practical implications for early childhood classrooms
Gain tools for effective collaboration with colleagues, children, and families
Learn best practices for room design and materials selection to enhance learning environments
Discover effective approaches to curriculum development, instruction, and assessment cycles
Build meaningful relationships with families to support children’s growth and development
Toronto District School Board
Nadia Kenisha Bynoe is an experienced educator in the Toronto District School Board, having taught in French Immersion Kindergarten and currently as an Early Reading Coach for multiple schools. In addition to her teaching role, Ms. Bynoe instructs the Kindergarten and Reading Additional Qualification course at York University and the Elementary Teacher Federation of Ontario. In addition to co-authoring The Gift of Playful Learning from Shell Education Publishing. Ms. Bynoe is also a published author of children's books. These books address important topics related to social justice, specifically delving into the nuanced aspects of skin complexion and shadeism, thereby promoting a deeper understanding of diversity. She holds a Master of Education (M.Ed.) from the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education and a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) with a focus on Urban Education and Native Studies from Windsor University. Ms. Bynoe is passionate about fostering equity and anti-bias approaches to teaching and learning, particularly in the early years.
Toronto District School Board
Angelique Thompson is a respected reading and kindergarten specialist with extensive teaching experience in the Toronto District School Board. She currently serves as an early reading coach, collaborating with multiple schools. Ms. Thompson holds a Bachelor of Education degree and a Bachelor of Arts Honors in Psychology from York University. She has been involved in curriculum writing and editing for the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario. Notably, she received the Elementary Teachers of Toronto Excellence in Teaching Equity Award in 2009 and The Toronto District School Board's Celebrating Excellence in the TDSB Award for Program/Project Excellence in 2010. She is also a recipient of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario Writer's Award for Women's Programs in 2019. Ms. Thompson is the co-author of Shell Education Publishing’s The Gift of Playful Learning and is known for her expertise in play-based learning as well as her commitment to promoting equity and social justice in early years classrooms.
Teacher Created Materials
Jennifer Jump is an Academic Officer for Teacher Created Materials. In this role, Ms. Jump provides professional development and training on TCM curriculum materials and Shell Education professional resources for districts, teachers, and educational trainers. Jen is a passionate educator, who has spent more than twenty years in various roles dedicated to student achievement. Before joining TCM she contributed curriculum and professional development support to the fastest growing urban school district, the public school system in Washington D.C. She led the curriculum work, providing teachers with organized, content-rich, text set curriculum for ELA in grades K-5. She also provided professional learning for both large groups of teachers and individual teaching through coaching to improve the literacy outcomes in the district.