VICPA.org

ALL DAY WORKSHOPS (10:45 – 12:30 & 2:00 – 3:45)

D1 Shared Leadership, Team Building & Group Dynamics
Suzanne MacDonald, HLM, BEd, MPA, Past President VICPA
Do you ever wonder why motivating some people seems so difficult? Why some people seem to be natural leaders? Why some groups function well as a team? This interactive workshop, based on the concept of shared leadership, is designed for people interested in understanding group dynamics, gaining experience with problem solving, and developing skills in motivating and communicating in all aspects of good leadership. There is ample opportunity for participation and input from workshop participants. Come prepared to get involved and dress comfortably. (Please note this is an introductory workshop in group processes.)
For parents and educators who sit on executive boards and/or who have leadership roles

D2 Preschool Nutrition
Kristen Ursel, B.H.Ec, BEd
This workshop addresses concerns and challenges related to nutrition that parents and educators of preschool age children face on a daily basis. The focus is to help you understand nutritional requirements for preschoolers and to provide some practical tools to help develop healthy life-long eating habits. Topics include: Preschool Nutrition Requirements and Portion Sizes; Hydration; Healthy Meal Patterns and Eating Habits; Ingredient Alerts; Classroom Grocery Tour and Shopping Guidelines; Nutrition Resources and Pre-school and Family Activities.
For parents and educators of preschool aged children (2 – 4 yrs)

D3 Telling Tales
Peg Hasted, ECE, well-known local Storyteller
This full-day workshop is ideal for anyone who would like to develop their storytelling skills in a safe, encouraging environment. Through participatory exercises and group work, we’ll build a foundation for finding, learning, visualizing, and telling an effective oral story. Participants will leave with a ready-to-tell folktale and plenty of ideas and resources for building their repertoire of stories.
For parents and educators

MORNING WORKSHOPS (10:45 – 12:30)

AM1 How the Brain Works Best: Help for all Children
Gary Anaka, Keynote Speaker
If you want children to be successful in life, they need an enriched brain to do it with. The natural conditions necessary for learning success are unknown to most parents. Discover the brain’s best kept learning secrets. Learn how the brain learns best naturally plus ways to enhance learning, foster child development, raise achievement, and tap your child’s full potential. These brain friendly strategies are practical, easy to use and can be implemented at a moment’s notice. It is essential for parents to know how to motivate their children to become life long learners.
For ECEs, caregivers and parents
AM2 Who Says Playing is Just for Kids
Scott Fidyk, Connie McConnell, Spilt Milk Comedy Theatre Productions
The talented facilitators of Spilt Milk Comedy Theatre will help to “FIND the FUN” that exists in all of us! Learn valuable drama games and exercises that can be transferred directly to the classroom, the living room, heck, to any room that needs a little light and levity! You need to make room for fun and creativity in your life. Play may be children’s work, but it’s good for Grown-ups too! Push your boundaries; discover your inner giggles in a safe, relaxed and ultimately FUN environment.
For parents and educators of children of all ages.

AM3 Sung Fun
Nancy Dobbs ....” to “Nancy Dobbs, Countryside Preschool ECE, workshop provider since ‘95
On your mark, get set...go! This workshop is 100 fast-paced minutes of as many musical ideas as we can squeeze in...old songs with new twists, and easy to learn new songs.
For preschool childcare professionals and parents

AM4 Number Sense and Spatial Sense - Essentials for Making Mathematics Meaningful for Preschool Children
Dr. Werner Liedtke, Professor Emeritus, University of Victoria
Descriptions and simulations of activities and problems that foster the development of number sense (essential for understanding numbers and counting and for making it easy to learn the basic facts) and (essential for problem solving) - the key foundations for numeracy. Questions and strategies that foster spatial sense (essential for problem solving) - confidence, willingness to take risks, perseverance and use of imagination will be illustrated. Making mathematics meaningful contributes to language development and the development of evaluative skills.
For parents of preschool children

AM5 Crystal Clear Communication
Barbara Small, M.A., is a counsellor and facilitator. She is the author of several books on self-esteem and effective communication
Effective communication and active listening skills are the keys to getting our ideas across to others. They maximize the impact of our message while minimizing misunderstanding and defensiveness. Gain practical hands-on experience with communication tools, such as listening for understanding, clarification and reflection. Explore the importance of non-verbal communication and the common causes of communication breakdown. Improve communication within your family and model effective communication skills for your children.
For parents of educators of children of all ages

AM6 Safe K.I.D.S. For Parents
Darren Laur, Personal Protection Systems, Inc. Serving Law Enforcement Professionals
This interactive seminar provides ideas to “Keep Children Informed, Defensible and Safe,” by sharing realistic child safety information. Topics include: children most prone to abductions, reducing the risk of abduction, why teaching “stranger danger” does not work, nine lures used by predators, how to detect and deal with child sexual abuse, sexual exploitation prevention strategies, how to teach children personal safety without scaring them, and your responsibilities as a parent or educator to keep children safe. Our motto for this seminar is “Enlighten not Frighten.”
For parents and educators of young children

AM7 Learning to Say Goodbye
Dr. Madelaine Tiller (formerly Ingimundson) is a Registered Psychologist with over 30 years of experience. Her private practice in Victoria specializes in working with grief, loss, and trauma.
Creative a–nd informative ways in which to understand the child’s experience of loss and provide effective tools for assisting them to deal with life changes. Losses addressed include: moving, illness, separation, divorce and death. Questions and dialogue are welcomed.
For parents and educators of children of all ages

AM8 Rough and Tumble Play – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Meagan Brame, ECE, Infant/Toddler, Special Needs Certifications and Child and Youth Care Degree
Many child care providers and parents struggle with children who appear to be “aggressive;” all they want to do is wrestle and fight. So what do we do with those children? Do we nag them to death with words like “gentle hands” and “we don’t play like that” or do we start to question our practice as educators and our thoughts as parents? Is wrestling a form of violence or a physical release and sport? This workshop explores one centre’s journey around rough and tumble play. Join Meagan in an exploration and dialogue of the fears many have with this type of play.
For ECEs, parents and caregivers

AM9 Raising Adults, not Kids: Parenting from Love, not Fear
Linda Clement, La Leche League Leader, parenting coach, POWERtalk public speaking club member
Crime. Accidents. Disease. Violence. Drugs. There are so many things for parents to fear. Yet fear is a terrible place to make decisions. Using current brain research and the growing field of happiness psychology, parents can overcome fears and make loving, thoughtful decisions. Come to this hands-on workshop to find out what brains do differently in a state of fear, and practice skills to overcome panic, worry, and dread.
For parents

AM10 Finding Your Muse - Creativity Explored
Maxine Fisher holds a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology and Bachelor Degrees in Psychology and Music Therapy and has been working with children, families and seniors for over 16 years.
We know children enter the world with their own unique creativity and joy. Often, as we get older, our creativity is not expressed and we are not aware of our own gifts. How can we inspire and support creative learning in the children we educate if we ourselves are not creatively inspired? This workshop offers participants the opportunity to explore their own personal creativity through music, movement, voice, and dramatic play.
For professionals and others

AM11 The Food Connection - Dietary Influences on Children’s Behavioural Disorders
Dr. Jane Reside, BSc., N.D. has practiced Naturopathy in Victoria since 2001. Lori Briesnesse-Frank offers consulting services to families transitioning to a Gluten and Casein Free diet
Many factors affect the emotional and mental health of our children, but often we forget the food connection. Dr. Reside will speak about the relationship between diet and childhood disorders, including Autism, ADHD, PDD and Sensory Processing Disorder. Dr. Reside will co-present with Lori Brienesse-Frank from Apples to Oranges Consulting. Lori offers practical solutions for transitioning a child to the GFCF diet, including recipes, local sources for GFCF foods and tips for making the GFCF diet easy and stress-free based on her experience with her son who has autism and the positive changes the GFCF diet has made in his life.
For parents and educators

AM12 Interactive Icebreakers and Drama Games
Jennifer Callioux is the Owner and Director of “Acting Out”, drama programs for children 4-14, which she has run in the Victoria area for 10 years
We will explore a variety of icebreakers, drama games, theatre activities and improv exercises in this workshop. Participants will take part in many of the activities, learn how to implement them into their programs with children, and leave with a handout covering direction of all games and activities for future use. Parents who’d like to learn more games to play with their children are welcome to join us.
For ECEs (parents welcome)

AM13 I Need a Break! Stress and Relaxation for ASD and Other Developmental Disabilities
Katherine Paxton has been supporting people with special needs for over 25 years. She is a Canadian Certified Counsellor in private practice and author of “Counselling people on the autism spectrum”
Stress is a fact of life. It is a well-known fact that children with ASD struggle with stress. Learn about some of the ways children with ASD demonstrate that they are under stress, and tools to help them manage their stress. Many of the tools you will learn will be helpful for most children. Note: many of these tools will be helpful for the support people as well, as it is well recognized that helping to support someone with ASD is often very stressful. Q & A session will conclude this workshop.
For professionals, para-professionals and parents

AM14 Signing with Young Children
Layla Cochrane, Independent Certified Baby Signs® Instructor, teaches at Saanich Commonwealth Place, The Mothering Touch Centre, Esquimalt Recreation and Oak Bay Windsor Pavilion
This workshop teaches parents/educators to introduce signing in a fun and simple way with children ages 6 months to 5 years. Learn the following in this interactive and informative workshop: benefits of signing with young children and how to begin; effective ways to teach signs at home and in a childcare setting; easy methods for using signs in daily routines; fun signing songs, rhymes and activities that children love; and simple tips to stay motivated and keep signing enjoyable.
For parents and educators

AM15 Early Care and Learning - Doing it Right
Rita Chudnovsky recently retired from the Faculty of Child, Family and Community Studies at Douglas College and currently works with the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC and the Early Childhood Educators of BC as their Leadership Initiative Coordinator
BC is about to make full-day kindergarten a reality for 5-year-olds – with a promise of full-day Kindergarten for 4-year-olds in the wings. To make this happen in ways that meet the needs of children, families and communities, the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC and the Early Childhood Educators of BC are developing a community vision for what a truly integrated system of early care and learning would look like. This workshop explores approaches used elsewhere and engages participants in a dialogue about the key features of a system that respects, values and integrates quality child care and pre-school and those who deliver it.
For professionals

AM16 Moving Beyond “Don’t Paint the Walls Pink”
B. Denise Hodgins, M.Ed., Ph.D. (student). Since 1989, Denise has worked as a school age child care provider; a preschool teacher; a workshop facilitator; and a director of a non-profit organization
This workshop will address why fathers/men need to be included in early childhood care and education discourses and how recent father involvement initiatives aimed at parents and family service providers have attempted to include fathers. We will look at current discourses and the extent to which: (1) fathers/men are rendered invisible/incompetent; (2) fathers/men are sidelined as helpers rather than carers; and (3) inclusion efforts remain bounded by gendered expectations. A facilitated discussion will follow that questions how we might move beyond current discourses and work to open up multiple possibilities for how fathers/men might be included in ECCE.
For professionals

AM17 Healthy Mouths and Eating Well for Babies and Young Children
Janet Krenz, Areli Hermanson, both with Child, Youth & Family Community Health, VIHA
This fun and interactive workshop will focus on the most up to date information on nutrition and dental health for babies and young children. Topics include: preventing cavities, dealing with picky eaters, preventing obesity, choosing healthy foods, the link between dental disease & health, other common issues, and reliable nutrition and dental resources.
For professionals and parents

AM18 Help! Your Child’s Brain Needs You
Lora-Beth Train is a retired elementary school teacher with 36 years of teaching experience. She presently teaches a course on Exceptional Learners in a Regular Classroom at UVic.
Participate in an interactive and informative workshop on how to become more knowledgeable about your child’s developing brain. Learn about its needs, how to exercise it and how you can provide activities to stimulate and enhance your child’s success as a life long learner.
For parents of preschool and elementary school aged children

AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS (2:00–3:45)

PM1 Caring for the Caregiver’s Brain
Gary Anaka, Keynote Speaker
How can you care for young children if you don’t have a brain to take care of yourself? Are you experiencing brain fatigue? Memory going? Are you living and working in a multi-tasking environment? If so, you may be experiencing accelerated brain aging. Your brain may be burning out early. The exciting new field of Applied Educational Neuroscience has meaningful answers for everyone. This practical presentation provides information and techniques to make your life and job easier. Find out what a healthy brain needs, what brain killers to avoid, how to make plasticity work for you every day and how to maintain brain wellness as you age. Gain the secrets of brain longevity to give you workable strategies for life long brain wellness. This energetic and lively session is filled with hope and optimism for your future. Find out how to use it before you lose it!
For ECEs, caregivers and parents

PM2 Number Sense and Spatial Sense - Essentials for Making Mathematics Meaningful for Young Learners in the Early Grades
Dr. Werner Liedtke, Professor Emeritus, UVic
Descriptions and simulations of activities and problems that foster the development of number sense (essential for understanding number and counting and for making it easy to learn the basic facts) and spatial sense (essential for problem solving) - the key foundations for numeracy. Questions and strategies that foster confidence, willingness to take risks, perseverance and use of imagination will be illustrated. It will be shown that making mathematics meaningful can contribute to language development, reading comprehension and the development of evaluative skills.
For parents of students in Grades 1 to 3

PM3 A Creative Approach to Meet the Needs of Medically Challenged Children
Phyllis Lysionek, Author / Illustrator of a children’s book (Olly Takes Fiddle To The Hospital), Creator of “Dollyloop Smiles” educational therapy dolls for medically challenged children.
This workshop will focus on creative ways to support ourselves through some of life’s challenges. Complex life experiences often reveal our hidden strengths and push us towards different, more fulfilling journeys. Phyllis will share a variety of tools she used to turn her life around. Her dream of motherhood changed dramatically after the birth of her son, who was born with Down syndrome. This workshop will also look at coming to terms with and accepting our lives as they are. By focusing on our individual life priorities, making a plan and taking action we have the opportunity to grow through our pain.
For professionals and parents

PM4 Internet Safety 101 For Parents: How To Keep Our Children Safe In The Cyber World
Darren Laur, Personal Protection Systems, Inc., Serving Law Enforcement Professionals
Most children know more about the workings of the internet than parents. This seminar educates even the most computer illiterate adult and provides the information you need to know about the internet if your children are surfing cyberspace. The internet has spawned a new type of cyber-criminal: prowling cyberspace looking for victims to prey upon for property, financial, and sexual crimes. Our seminar provides needed internet safety knowledge, so surfing cyberspace can be an enjoyable and safe experience.
For parents and educators

PM5 YOUR NOSE IS GROWING or Learn how to TELL BETTER STORIES
Scott Fidyk, Connie McConnell, Spilt Milk Comedy Theatre Productions
Once upon a time there was a group called “Spilt Milk Comedy Theatre” who loved to tell stories, tall tales and the occasional white lie. They loved to tell stories so much that they wanted to show teachers, parents and the young-at-heart the same skills. So come to our workshop ready to play, laugh, have fun, push some boundaries and say yes to new ideas. Inside each of you is a wealth of creativity screaming to be free! Come tell stories and laugh merrily until the cows came home and we live happily ever after…
For parents and educators of all ages

PM6 Music Exploration - An Experiential Workshop
Maxine Fisher holds a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology and Bachelor Degrees in Psychology and Music Therapy and has been working with children, families and seniors for over 16 years.
Music is our first language; it is universal and inclusive. Music can be a bridge to create and enhance communication between people of different abilities and cultures. Music Therapy is used to assist children who have special needs or are suffering from emotional trauma. How can we, as caregivers and educators, use music to enhance our children’s lives? This workshop includes theory, discussion, and practical skills. Participants have an opportunity to play instruments, move, learn new musical games, and gain musical skills to share with children.
For parents and educators

PM7 Interactive Icebreakers and Drama Games
Jennifer Callioux is the Owner and Director of “Acting Out”, drama programs for children 4-14, which she has run in the Victoria area for 10 years
We will explore a variety of icebreakers, drama games, theatre activities and improv exercises in this workshop. Participants will have the opportunity to participate in many of the activities, learn how to implement them into their programs with children, and leave with a handout covering direction of all games and activities for future use. Parents who’d like to learn more games to play with their children are welcome to join us.
For professionals (parents welcome)

PM8 Nurturing Spiritual Values with our Children
Dr. Madelaine Tiller (formerly Ingimundson) is a Registered Psychologist with over 30 years of experience. Her private practice in Victoria specializes in working with grief, loss, and trauma.
This workshop provides a foundation for sharing Spiritual Values within the family and in activities with groups. Interactive and delightful opportunities will be presented to give you tools and games to create a space for practicing these values. The purpose of this workshop is to share these virtues and non-violent communication techniques in a manner that is inclusive of all different paths.
For caregivers & parents of all age groups

PM9 Stress Less: Practical Stress Management Skills
Barbara Small, M.A., is a counsellor and facilitator. She is the author of several books on self-esteem and effective communication
Stress is an unavoidable part of life; even unwanted stressful situations can be opportunities for growth. Learn practical stress management techniques for yourself and your children. Explore your thought patterns and belief systems which increase your level of stress. Learn positive self-talk to coach yourself through stressful situations and to use visualization to create calming scenarios and help you STRESS LESS.
For parents and educators of children of all ages

PM10 Let’s Talk about Sex: The Approachable Parent
Jennifer Gibson, Coordinator of Community Education Services with ISHS, BA in Women’s Studies, counselling support certificate, MA in Leadership
Children learn about sexuality through daily interactions with others, from media, within soical groups, and in family life. Based on the work of Meg Hickling, the workshop emphasizes the importance of parents as primary sexuality educators and provides strategies to support parents in this role. Parents are encouraged to take a preventative approach as opposed to a reactive approach to sexuality education.
For parents and educators

PM11 Sportball Games for All Ages And Spaces
Lee Richardson, BSc, BEd, Sportball
Our workshop focuses on creative ways to use limited space and equipment and how to modify games for any age group. Participants will engage in many high-energy movement activities, based on the core of the Sportball program: improving gross motor skills, physical strength, social skills and self -esteem. Through creative instruction and positive encouragement, you will learn and participate in high-energy games in a fun and exciting environment. Please wear comfortable attire and be prepared to have an entertaining active time!
For parents and educators of children of all ages

PM12 Fostering Resiliency With Aboriginal Children
Monique Gray Smith is a Psychiatric Nurse with experience in Aboriginal Education with a focus on the Early Years; Stress and Trauma Recovery, Staff Development, and Addictions
This workshop will provide a brief overview on how Stress & Trauma impact a child’s physical and emotional state and why we may see various behavioural disruptions from children. A brief historical perspective will be shared that will assist in identifying how our history as Aboriginal people continues to affect the lives of children, families, and communities today. We will discuss what Resiliency is, what promotes resiliency and explore the many traditional and non-traditional strategies you can use to help strengthen Resiliency in the children you work with.
For ECEs or parents

PM13 A Calm Mind is a Learning Mind: Teaching Emotional Regulation to Children With Developmental Disabilities & Other Learning Challenges
Katherine Paxton has been supporting people with special needs for over 25 years. She is a Canadian Certified Counsellor in private practice and author of “Counselling people on the autism spectrum”
One of the greatest barriers to learning for children with or without a developmental disability is poor emotional regulation. Upset, anxious, or overexcited children cannot learn at their best. Children with developmental disabilities require additional support in learning to “keep a calm mind”. Emotional regulation is one of the key skills to functioning successfully as an adult. Although this workshop is tailored to children with developmental disabilities, the strategies are applicable to all children who have difficulty with emotional regulation.
For professionals, para-professionals and parents of children of all ages

PM14 Living Intentionally: Communicating from your Values
Tracy McMicking & Patricia McKay. We have over 30 years combined experience supporting parents and families through healthy communication and education.
Attending to our values and recognizing children’s unique values can enhance relationships and nurture connections. We often focus on children’s behaviour and focus on changing the behavioiur, forgetting to focus on ourselves and to inspire children to connect with their authentic selves. Exploring ways to respond to tantrums, misbehaviour and crying in ways that nurture the connection can bring more joy in day-to-day interactions with children. This workshop is interactive and provides opportunities to connect and learn collaboratively.
For parents and educators

PM15 Positive Play
Jocelin Caldwell is a partner in Possibilities Training Group, a consulting company specializing in team development, group facilitation and experiential learning programs
In an age where frantic competition and elimination define most children’s games, it’s no wonder our playgrounds have become harsher and more judgmental. Many children choose not to participate for fear of failure or rejection. We need programs to teach children other ways to interact. We recognize the importance of developing programs which are not just “fun,” but which build assets in children as they play. This hands-on workshop equips participants with a new repertoire of exciting games and programming ideas for children aged 5-12. We believe in “learning-by-doing;” participants will be actively involved in this workshop.
For ECEs and parents

PM16 The Images of Learning Project: Enriching your program with Reflective Practice and Documentation
Kim Atkinson, ECE (over 25 years);Danielle Davis, ECE (over 13 years)
For the past 3 years we have been participating in the Investigating Quality Project at the University of Victoria, and have shared many “aha” moments. We found a framework and language for the values and practice we have believed in for many years and we were challenged and energized to build on that knowledge. Join Kim and Danielle as they lead you through their journey of embedding documentation and a more reflective practice in early childhood programs. This workshop will inspire a more reflective approach and your own ways of making learning visible.
For ECEs

PM17 Caregiver Support for Extended Breastfeeding
Linda Clement, La Leche League Leader, parenting coach, POWERtalk public speaking club member
The benefits of breastfeeding continue well past the first year. It is surprisingly easy to discourage breastfeeding by accident, and even easier to intentionally support families making this beneficial choice. Find out why breastfeeding is good for families and the community long after the newborn period, and how to support long-term breastfeeding in early years childcare.
For ECEs

PM18 Healthy Mouths and Eating Well for Babies and Young Children
Janet Krenz, Areli Hermanson, both with Child, Youth & Family Community Health, VIHA
See AM17 for Description…