The Collaborative Classroom Series
Welcome to The Early Years Family Development Centre Inc. and the “Collaborative Classroom” series.
What a privilege and fascinating journey we are on…. raising up new generations!
Welcome to a place where educators and caregivers can collaborate; take on new skills, feel rejuvenated and validated over timeless skills and work together in the best interest of children.
We have a trunkful of tools to share, and invite you to explore some of the activities, materials and strategies you’ll find here, wonderful methods that benefit all children.
There are so many different elements you are considering each day as you navigate through bringing in required learning, understanding the home in which each child has come from when they walk through your door and what to do with behaviors that get in the way of growing in all areas of childhood.
Why take the Collaborative Classroom Series?
With a background in education and having completed the Child Behavior Certification Program, The Collaborative Classroom will remind us that there is no problem so great that cannot be solved.
That all behavior is meaningful and purposeful regardless of how disruptive or difficult some situations may present.
*This series will provide an approach to educators that will highlight your methods opening the door of possibilities; coming alongside educators and what they have implemented while allowing for another lens , a new perspective with diverse ways of learning and suggested programs.
In striving for the utmost competence through ongoing learning, communication and specific tools and strategies, these are the components it takes to best serve families and the community at large.
Bridging the gap between school and home builds bridges that will follow a child’s footsteps for many years to come.
Our Mission
To increase awareness in how and where we can effectively create an environment that includes all areas of the whole child experience. Success in the collaborative classroom means that each child has a strong sense of belonging, becoming an important member of their classroom family. Therefore, success is not measured primarily on the expected behaviors but rather what children need in order to grow.
Building a strong community with core beliefs will result in desired behavior that facilitates the healthy growth of each child over time.
We believe that it is critical to motivate and inspire children while setting rules and guidelines; helping them to acquire habits, goals and knowledge that lead to well-functioning adults. We best do this by seeking to educate from the “Educator down” and not the “Child up”. Therefore the burden of guidance and connection belongs to the meaningful adults in a child’s daily life.
“When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower”
– Alexander Den Heijer
Meet your instructors
Sharyn Timerman
Founder and Director; Instructor for CBCP, TBCP, and the Collaborative Classroom
Read more about Sharyn
Sharyn’s career began 35 years ago working within a pre-school and child development environment.
She specializes in children’s behavior from birth to the early teen years.
She received her diploma in early childhood education while raising three young children with her husband Gaby.
Sharyn is the founder of The Early Years Family Development Center Inc. coaching parents through a wide variety of childhood stages with individual plans for positive parenting, and a “parenting script”.
She is creator of the “Tools in your Pocket” series for parenting workshops.
Sharyn presents staff training programs in the pre-school and elementary school environment. Through “observing and reporting” Sharyn provides plans of action for both educators and parents for children who may require added support.
Sharyn is Founder and Director of “The Child Behavior Certification Program”. This 16- week online program specializes in certifying child behavior specialists across Canada, The United States, and Europe. She is “mentor” to over 95 certified graduates from diverse skill sets and professions.
Sharyn is a faculty member of the “Family Sleep Institute” teaching behavior milestones and the effects of sleep through webinars and daily dialogues. She is a member of the National Association For The Education of Young Children.
Danielle Ellis
Program Director and Instructor: The Collaborative Classroom
Read more about Danielle
Danielle is an experienced and dedicated educator who has spent over a decade working with children and families. She has worked in both preschool and Montessori settings, as well as various educational environments. Danielle has also honed her leadership and program development skills as a Community Director for a childcare center in Toronto.
Danielle’s true passion lies in teaching and supporting educators and childcare professionals. This led her to create “Learn with Love,” a business that provides workshops, resources, and webinars to enhance skills, knowledge, and a love of learning in connection to child development.
Alongside her work with “Learn with Love,” Danielle has been collaborating with Sharyn to create “The Collaborative Classroom.” This platform is designed to provide individuals with tools, activities, and strategies to support children and create a welcoming atmosphere.
Danielle loves music and movement and is a Certified Children’s Yoga Teacher! Her passion for education and heart for learning are evident in everything she does.
Danielle brings a comprehensive program that teaches each child through all behaviors. She is grateful to have added the Early years programs to her repertoire of ongoing education. The Early Years Program has added much value to her present work, and she is deeply committed to reaching out to all communities, working together for our children.
CONTACT DANIELLE
AN OVERVIEW OF THE 4 WEEK PROGRAM
THE VALUE OF COMMUNICATION
- A Housewarming: Belong/Believe/Behave
- 7 Powers of Self-Control
- Developmentally Appropriate Strategies
- Oppositional Behavior and Impulsive Behavior
- The Whole Child Model
- The Intentional Teacher and Teachable Moments
- Promoting Language Skills
- The Think for yourself Model
- Brain Development
- The Teaching Pyramid
CONNECTED LEARNING
- “THE WARM WELCOME”
- Communication and building positive connections
- Welcoming Environment
- Including and Preparing all children for change
- Collaboration in the Classroom (Ideas & Activities)
- “You make our classroom a special place”
- Songs & Activity Share (songs and group activities that cultivate a welcoming environment)
- Empowering children with special tasks & jobs
- “Set up for Success”
- Observing a classroom layout
- How movement, sounds and visuals can support the brain and learning.
- Creating Invitations
- Using learning Materials in a supportive, engaging way
- Visuals to support transitions.
- Supporting Transitions in the Classroom
- The Intake Process (building trust from the moment a family starts at school/centre)
- Making the most out of small spaces
- Preparing the classroom
- “Programs & Activities”
- Integrating Sensory (movement, squishing, jumping, throwing in safe ways etc.)
- Wind down Activities and Sensory Rest (dimmer lights before nap, water play with calm music).
- Providing choices for students (e.g., instead of everyone sitting and tracing the letter “A,” have the option to stand or build with blocks at a table or at a mat, work alone or collaboratively, etc.)
- Using play to support behaviours (get silly in the best way! how this helps with re-direction and connection)
- Danielle’s favourite resources
REIMAGINING CIRCLE TIME AND CONSULTATIONS
- Flexible sitting options
- Building Engagement (ways to create circle time success)
- Prioritizing Connection (using intentional time for teamwork, shared goals + victories, celebrating one another: here is how!)
- Including Movement
- Alternatives to “raise your hand” and other strategies
- What are ‘carpet calmers’ and how to use them to support behaviour
- Quiet table: how it is used and supports behaviours.
Case Study
- What was presented in a personal case study (concerns, thoughts from staff)
- Share of Observations
- Share of Suggestions Given
- How Educators Used These Suggestions
- What was successful, and what was the learning curve?
- Sharyn’s advice, how Danielle has used it and how it can help you, too!
SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING IN THE CLASSROOM
- Social Emotional Learning (Framework & Overview)
How to promote the following in natural environment & planned play:
- Self Awareness
- Self-management
- Decision-Making
- Relationships
- Social Awareness
- Creating Connections with Students
- Impact of parental conflict and strategies to overcome
BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER: THE COLLABORATIVE CLASSROOM FOLLOW UP
This is a mandatory class in order to receive your certificate of completion.
This class will require your feedback, what areas of the sessions did you most relate to and why? This is a time to join forces and share ideas, brainstorm all with the same goal: making a difference in the lives of children through their classroom community.
