Hi everyone!

For those that don’t know me, I’m Hannah Wilkinson. I’ve been subbing since October, 2022 with UVic Child Care Services, so I’ve met many of you over the last few months. This summer I will be doing my third year practicum for my Child and Youth Care degree.

I obtained my Early Childhood Care and Education diploma at Mount Royal College (now university) in Calgary in 2008. Since then, I have been working as an ECE in Saskatoon. I decided to make a career change and pursue a master’s degree in either Early Learning or Child and Youth Care, but first need to finish my undergrad. Those master’s programs aren’t offered in Saskatchewan, so here I am! I really enjoy learning about different ways of doing things, so I’m excited to get to do a practicum with you all here at UVic CCS.

In my life outside school, I have an active 8-year-old daughter who keeps me busy. In Saskatoon before the pandemic, I was involved in roller derby and sang in a community choir. Those both didn’t start back up until right before I moved, so I’m hoping that eventually I’ll find time to get back into them here in Victoria.

As part of my practicum, I’m planning to write some blog posts, primarily relating to various aspects of the Early Learning Framework. I will also often be shadowing Narda to learn more about the pedagogist aspect of early learning in BC as they don’t have a position like that in Saskatchewan. I look forward to continuing to learn more about UVic CCS, and childcare methodologies in BC.

 

See you soon!

The Chair

The team at Juniper Place, decided to add a big blue chair to the office so that the educators could have a comfortable chair to relax in during their breaks and when they need to meet one on one.

The chair is located beside the good-bye window where the children get to say good-bye and see their loved ones (Mommy and/or Daddy) go out of the gate when they start their day inside.

So what do we see? …. A comfortable chair for the educators?

Well, it has become more than that….

It has become a chair to sit on when some children arrive with big feelings, where friends and siblings come together to share a book, look out into the yard, or to support each other.

The chair has welcomed the children into the office, making it a welcoming place just like all the other rooms at Juniper Place. The chair offers all kinds of invitations to show love, share empathy and explore the unknown. It also offers time to share stories with the educators, creating conversations that have come to develop a stronger relationship among the educators and the children at Juniper Place.

As I reflect on this, I have been wondering whether those insects, birds, squirrels, deer and other non-humans in our neighboring community would also have a certain tree, branch, rock, lamp post or a spot in the forest to sit on and what feelings it might bring them.

So go ahead, sit on the chair, enjoy the moment!

~ Atrium Space ~

Defintion of atrium in our heart:
The atrium (Latin: ātrium, lit. 'entry hall') is one of two upper chambers in the heart that receives blood from the circulatory system. The blood in the atria is pumped into the heart ventricles through the atrioventricular valves.

Definition:
"In architecture, an atrium (plural: atria or atriums) is a large open-air or skylight-covered space surrounded by a building. Atria were a common feature in Ancient Roman dwellings, providing light and ventilation to the interior."

In our last pedagogical meeting, we discussed our atrium spaces. I have provided pictures of the atrium space in Harry Lou Poy and Complex A. I wanted to share the definition so we can think alongside it with our thoughts, ideas, theories and histories of the spaces we are in everyday.

"Seeping through the cracks of the door, questions and lived experiences pin themselves in this space of becoming.  Who is this public space for? Who benefits from this space, who is silenced in this space? how will we come together in the name of an event in this space?"

UBC + UVIC Pedagogical meeting, Feb 3rd 2023