Learning StoriesBCACCS Conference 2015

Melanie Midgley & Terri Mack

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Introduction - Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre’s Early Years Outreach programme

Learning Stories - being present with heart, mind and spirit

Parents as partners - ‘tools’ of engagement

NAC’s Animal Spirit Bags - links to 5 areas of development

Strong Nations Resources - http://www.strongnations.com  

Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca

Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre Aboriginal Early Years Outreach Worker

NAC is a community organization with a focus on early childhood development that acknowledges the critical importance of supporting healthy human development in the early years. !A home visit programme that honours the valuable role of parents and other caring adults - what’s my role? ! Home visits are guided by 5 Animal Spirit Bags and learning shared with families - how can we best prepare urban Aboriginal children for school? !Funded by AIS (Aboriginal Innovation Services) and mandated to use ASQ - why collect data?

NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca

Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca

How do you recognize the strengths of your learners?

Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca

Learning StoriesBuilds on tradition of oral story-telling

Strength-based

Parents as partners

Language links

Next steps & ideas for parents

“Careful looking and listening leads to knowing each child’s development, interests, and abilities.”

BCACCS handbook of Best Practices in Aboriginal Early Childhood Programs - 2003 p.103

Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca

Strength-based practice:

Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca

Parents/Family-as-partners:

Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca

Culture and Language Links:

Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca

Next steps & Ideas for parents:

Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca

What could you pull from this model and use in your own practice?

Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca

Parents as partnersEmpower parents as first teachers - school readiness?

“Tools” of engagement

ASQ - yay or nay?

evaluation and self-reflection = networking and community resources

“Experience shows it can take as long as 3 years before parents are comfortable approaching staff.”

BCACCS handbook of Best Practices in Aboriginal Early Childhood Programms - 2003 p.107

Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca

Tools of engagement: !

Door-knocking !Learning stories & portfolio

!Incentives & Gifts

!Facebook !Scrapbooking

Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca

Ages and Stages Questionnaire:

Taken from: http://www.sapphirepediatrics.com/upload/3%20yr%20ASQ.pdf

Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca

How do you either engage or recognize the strengths of the parents that you work with?

Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca

Animal Spirit Bags

5 Areas of DevelopmentWritten by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre

www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.caArtist: Joel Good - Snuneymuxw First Nation

Frog Spirit Bag !

listens

takes turns

tells stories

traditions

songs

Animal Spirit:

Traditionally the frog symbolizes communication. The frog is adaptable and peaceful. !Key area of Development: COMMUNICATION

Communication skills, oral language. !Aboriginal Early Learning Goal:

Learning is embedded in memory, history, and story.

Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca

Eagle Spirit Bag: !letters & sounds

draws

writes

counts

reads

Animal Spirit: Traditionally the eagle represents wisdom and intellect. The eagle is a spiritual leader. !Area of Development: COGNITIVE LEARNING

“Academic learning” - in early years we must be creative in how this looks… !Aboriginal Early Learning Goal:

Learning recognizes the role of indigenous knowledge.

Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca

Bear Spirit Bag: !

brave

strong

helps others

self-care !

Animal Spirit: Traditionally the bear symbolizes power and strength. The bear has courage and is a protector. !Area of Development: PHYSICAL HEALTH & WELL-BEING

Being physically active, taking care of your body, being brave. !Aboriginal Early Learning Goal:

Learning requires exploration of one’s identity. !!

Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca

What could you pull from this practice?

Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca

RESOURCES http://www.strongnations.com

Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca

Aiy-Aiy

Thank you

Merci

Klecko-klecko

Gilakas’la

Huy ch q’u

Written by: Melanie Midgley for Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre www.NanaimoAboriginalCentre.ca