Workshop Reflections
Thank you to everyone who participated in making this workshop happen. We learned so much and had a great experience!
"What I enjoyed most about this experience was being able to learn from one another. By engaging in conversations, this has given me a deeper understanding of the ways in which we can incorporate nature into play."
-Erica Klumpenhouwer
"I'm incredibly proud of how our two groups came together and made something awesome. This experience is something I can take with me into my future practice. I want to make a difference in this field, and that only happens when we are able to collaborate and share our knowledge with each other."
-Cat Trites
"The outdoors memory assignment went better than I could have ever expected. It was a true collaboration between two classes of students, faculty, and community educators. Not only was it fun to create, but it turned out to be a very enjoyable and interactive afternoon. My favourite part about the workshop was the memories and friendships that were made. Not only was it a learning experience, but the flow and the feelings were nothing short of a miracle. I believe this group of students thought outside the box on a topic that was truly an important one. We shared knowledge as well as brought play and fun into our presentation and I felt that our difference in approach was a new way to explore outside of the box."
-Nicolle Eadie
"Our building memories project was something truly special and unique. Our team came together, worked hard and created a workshop that we we're so proud to present. Our goal was to spark interest in incorporating nature into children's play as well as to look for collaboration and dialogue from educators in the field who are living these experiences. I believe we did a great job because this is a topic we are all passionate about. I enjoyed the time I got to spend with my peers researching, planning and preparing for this event. I felt the presentation went better than I could have expected and the knowledge that was shared from my peers, faculty and guests only fueled my passion further. This was a meaningful experience that I will take with me into my journey of Early Childhood Educator."
-Jenn Logan
"In completing this project with other students, faculty, and the community, I have gained and learned so much. I enjoyed how well our group worked together, and that we were all very proud of what we had completed with the end results. I learned from the faculty and community members that were present through group discussions and fun games that we all participated in and they shared their knowledge they have gained through years of experience, it was great."
-Vanessa Hilton
​
"One thing that stood out for me whas how everybody was engaged in the activities. Everyone was enthusiastic and they were playing the games with fun. Not only in games, everyone was engaged in discussions, too. Asking questions, giving ideas, sharing own experiences, listening to each other, all helped me to understand how I can include discussions among adults in a fun way."
-Sukhmani Walia
"My favourite part of the day was the conversational aspect. We had a relatively small group, which made for great, intimate conversation and learning. I enjoyed speaking about what I am educated on and also learning from the educators around me. It’s interesting to hear different perspectives and worldviews and how that can change your personal perspective."
-Caitlyn Dawes
"Messing around with nature was an amazing assignment to be part of, not only was I able to create and be apart of something I am very passionate about but also had so much fun doing so. From taking part in this presentation I feel that I am more equipped and have a better understanding of what it is like working with school age children in after school programs. During our presentation I have able to pull knowledge from each and every class in order to get us to where we are today. My favorite part from the presentation was the scavenger hunt I found myself in deep though about what I could use for each of the different senses and what I would have been able to find in a different season."
-Cheyanne Quackenbush