It all started with imagination, the powerful force that can turn a piece of a plastic PVC pipe into the most gentle and cherished being: a baby. The girls held the pipe, passed it to one another, and rocked it gently in their arms. When I asked them about it, one girl said "It's our… Continue reading “Babies”: imagination, diversity, and cooperation
As many Nova Scotians, I ask myself how I can be helpful and useful at this stressful time. I have knowledge, experience, and time but no place to apply it. I have decided to offer my service as a volunteer to any centre that needs a bit of help with their re-opening process. I have… Continue reading Offering help with re-opening NS child care centres
This post has no photos because my latest makeover was done for a small studio apartment and the toughest customer was... my mom. I have learned a lot of valuable lessons because having close relationships with your "customer" can be both a blessing and a curse. I think the most practical application of this experience… Continue reading The Toughest Customer
The Preschool room at YWCA Spryfield has 24 children and 3 teachers, and it is busy! One of the teachers, Yuna, worked with me in that very classroom six years ago and it was wonderful to team up with her again! During our conversations with the other two teachers, Elaine and Andrea, I learned that… Continue reading Preschool Room Makeover, YWCA Spryfield
Yarmouth has a special place in my heart. After working on the Toddler Room at Lil' Jems, I came back to finish two more rooms and to do a 2-hour workshop for home care providers. It was an awesome experience because of the awesome people who let me helped me mess up their room and put it back together.… Continue reading Lil’ JEMS Makeover, Preschool Room
It's been almost five years since I worked at Mawio'mi Child Care Centre as a substitute teacher, when I was still a student at NSCECE. Mawio'mi is one of the "lab schools" that are managed by the Nova Scotia College of Early Childhood Education and they often become testing sites for new and progressive ideas… Continue reading Mawio’mi Toddler Room Makeover
June 29th is International Mud Day. I learned about it while building a mud kitchen at the centre where I work. To be precise, it was supposed to be a mud kitchen but somehow the project took an unexpected turn and it became a multi-purpose, all-age (including adults), gender-neutral space for working, playing, and resting. The funny… Continue reading Work. Play. Rest.
Balancing work and life is not easy. Providing child care service during the day and winding down after working with children in the same space can be quite challenging, especially if the place is a part of your living room. When Ashley Toole won a free makeover for her home daycare, I was really excited to work with… Continue reading Home, Sweet Home Daycare
beautiful classrooms 