Early Childhood
Consultancy
Exploring Seasonal Gardening
Discover a wide variety of ideas for indoor and outdoor planting, developing insect-friendly garden spaces, container garden options, and incorporating vegetable patches into program outdoor spaces. Join me as we look at creating invitations to play that showcase the growing process, the incorporation of recycled materials, shade and full-sun gardens and the beauty of nature.
The Reasons Why
Children Need Nature
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Changes in the past few decades have impacted the way children play in ways we could have never imagined before
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From screen time and media exposure to lack of green space
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Many of us can reflect on positive experiences that we had in nature during our childhoods
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Those experiences might have included making mud pies, planting in the garden, chasing bugs, finding crabs at the beach or building forts in the forest
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How can we provide opportunities for children to have hands-on learning experiences with natural elements in early years settings?
The Roll of The Educator
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Educators may be hesitant at first to create a program garden especially if they do not have experience with gardening themselves
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Gardening is a journey and the learning that takes place along the way
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One of the wonderful things about gardening is that anyone can do it, you have what it takes as long as you have a positive attitude
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Think about teaching less and sharing in the experience more
Engaging Children in The Garden
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Our goal as educators is to provide experiences in early learning settings that engage children mentally, physically and emotionally
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Children need to feel a sense of wellbeing and belonging while in our programs
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When creating a garden, it is important that children feel a sense of ownership through the acts of planning, planting, tending and observing what is happening in the garden
Types of Gardens
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Ground-level gardens
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Raised-bed gardens
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Container gardens
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Green roof gardens
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Vertical gardens
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Bird and butterfly gardens
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Sensory Garden
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ECE Workshops for Individuals
Inspired ECE understands that not everyone can participate in our professional development workshops as part of a group or team. We do our best to accommodate everyone’s needs. Periodically, we run ECE workshops for a group of individuals when we have enough interest.
Julie Hansen
Early Childhood Educator, Consultant and Author
I have been an Early Childhood Educator for 24 years, having received my Diploma in Early Childhood Education from Douglas College. Since then, I have gained experience in a variety of areas within the field of Early Childhood Education: Director of a preschool, supervisor of after-school care as well as 3-5 and Infant Toddler programs and centre management. My primary focus has evolved to encompass team leadership, management training and program development. I have had articles published in provincial and national ECE journals on the topic of emergent curriculum and leadership. My goal as an Early Childhood Educator and facilitator is to support fellow educators and early years professionals in providing high-quality early learning experiences for children and families.
ECE Publications
Canadian Child Care Federation
Urban Baby & Toddler Magazine
The Early Childhood Educator BC
Testimonials
Management and leadership courses offered by an Early Childhood Educator truly is a gift in this line of work. Julie Hansen’s insight and understanding of childcare and early learning dynamics developed my skills and confidence as a manager. Her ideas are innovative, thoughtful and easy to implement for myself and my team. I enjoyed my one to one coaching calls, team workshops and leadership series I have taken with Julie. I recommend her to any new or veteran ECE or ECE Manager.
JENN CARMAN
Manager
À:lmèlhàwtxw Early Education Centre - Stó:lō Service Agency
We were blown away by how amazing Julie's Skype workshop was! She is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about early childhood education.
JEN DIDORA
Assistant Director
Oakbank Kids Korner Co-op Inc.
I would recommend Julie Hansen, Inspired ECE to anyone in the Early Childhood Education field! Julie has been a positive influence in my life with all of her workshops and resources. Julie has so much knowledge of all of the areas of Early Childhood Education and quality early learning experiences. I always walk away with something new and many ideas to take back to my own programs after attending a workshop with Julie . I've also done a consultation with Julie regarding recruiting ECE's and she had so much advice to offer. Thanks to Julie's advice, I was able to hire not one but TWO Educators for my center. If you're looking for professional development opportunities and/or professional consulting, I highly recommend connecting with Julie!
BRIANNA WINTERS
Owner/Operator
Early Childhood Educator
Colour My World Childcare
Thank you Julie for sharing your wisdom, time and resources with me.
I truly appreciate it.
LORRAINE SKELTON
Early Childhood Educator