HELLO/AANII,
Welcome to May 2022 edition of our newsletter dedicated to the topic of feedback.

We all have opinions, but only few of us can truly deliver great feedback. As we know, anything great requires time, contemplation, knowledge, and skill. It requires care and good intention. If you are interested in learning more about feedback and interactions, this edition of our newsletter can be useful to you. I sincerely hope that you enjoy the resources included in it. My favorite one is titled Feedback: A Crucial Skill No One Taught You and comes from Shane Parrish's Embracing Confusion Interview with Jeff Hunter.
If you would like to share with our Early Years Community resources on feedback, please send them my way.

On a personal note, I very much enjoyed May 15th total lunar eclipse. The moon was stunning; and there was something magical about observing the Earth’s shadow being cast upon it. Have you seen it too and taken photos? If so, please share them with me.

Stay in touch,
Baa Maa Pii Gaawaabmin (I’ll See You Later)
Kasia Oxley, Children’s Services Community Facilitator, Children’s Programs and Services
Work Cell: (705) 644-1533
Please note that the information contained in this newsletter is intended to encourage conversation and self-reflection and is not to be considered as advice. 
Responsive Interactions

Time commitment: 21 minutes, 14 seconds
Areas of interest: back-and-forth exchanges between children and adults
Format: video

Interactions with infants and young children are like a dance. They require you to watch for children's cues and follow their lead. In this webisode, hear from Janet Gonzalez-Mena, writer, trainer, and early childhood consultant, and other experts about ways to use back-and-forth exchanges during everyday routines to meet children's individual needs. Use the Quick Start Guide as a reflection tool to deepen your practice
Asking Good Questions to Support Children’s Thinking and Learning

Time commitment: 45 minutes, 3 seconds
Areas of interest: children-adult conversations, language, giving and receiving feedback
Format: video

Children learn through conversations with adults, but we sometimes ask children so many questions that we don’t leave much room for them to lead. In a true conversation, adults pay attention to what children are curious about and allow them to respond. Learn about using language and questions to support and expand children’s curiosity and exploration, as well as strategies for responding. Explore the important role of language in supporting young children’s thinking and learning.
Providing Feedback

Time commitment: 4 minutes, 38 seconds
Areas of interest: educator’s feedback, support
Format: video

Explore this in-service suite to learn how to provide feedback to children that supports them. Teacher feedback can help children’s learning and encourage effort.
Feedback: A Crucial Skill No One Taught You

Time commitment: 4 minutes, 47 seconds
Areas of interest: providing feedback to adults, giving great feedback
Format: video

Ever wonder what great feedback looks like? In this clip, Jeff Hunter, the CEO of Talentism, teaches us how to give clear feedback to others in order to unleash their potential
Please write to Kasia to let her know your thoughts on feedback or any other topic for a chance to win a resource of your choice (value of up to $50)
EARLY YEARS PROFESSIONALS IN MUSKOKA
Tina Matthews
What is your current job, and how did you arrive at it, in other words why do you do what you do?
I am an Early Childhood Educator at KP Manson Public School. I work for the school board in kindergarten. My current role has kept me busy for almost 13 years. After many rewarding years in childcare this opportunity allowed me to do what I love in a whole new way. Working with children and supporting their learning journey.

Without disclosing confidential information, please tell me how your involvement within the early years profession created a better outcome for a child/family.
I recently was able to catch up with a few former students who will soon be graduating high school!! They talked fondly of the caring and supportive environment they experienced at KP Manson. They were thrilled that the strong foundation laid out was a huge part of their success and gave them the confidence to see a future full of possibilities.

What's most challenging about the work you do?
The Most challenging part of my job is seeing a student struggle and wanting to offer every support available, only to find out there is no more money or that service does not exist in Muskoka or has a huge waitlist. We strive to give each child all they need and seemingly unnecessary roadblocks are so challenging.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to read both fun and work-related literature. I enjoy my gardening immensely and am an avid bird watcher.

What book/resource could you recommend to our readers?
Check out Passionately Curious Educators. A team of Educators who value nurturing the whole child, are not afraid to reflect and refine their practices and have a wide variety of professional resources.

What’s your favorite quote?
"You are stronger than you seem, braver than you believe and smarter than you think" - Winnie the Pooh

Who inspires you and why?
My two children inspire me. They continually evolve and are not afraid to be who they are. They both are in careers they love and are genuinely kind and generous humans. They push me to be more and find ways to give.

In the last couple of years, what new belief, behavior, or habit, or item, has most improved your life?
Learning to say what I feel. I'm a people pleaser and have often buried my needs and opinions. I'm still kind and thoughtful when I speak but I'm on a journey of not being afraid to express my ideas and then accept whatever response comes.

What advice would you give your teenage self?
You are worth it, you are enough, and you have lots to offer this world, do not back down on your dreams.

What would you take with you to a desert island?
Can't live without my craft beer LOL is that appropriate? Guess I should have said my husband, he is very talented.

Anything else that you would like to share?
Thanks Kasia for this opportunity. I have so many fond memories of my Early Years Colleagues. The ability to learn alongside so many incredibly talented people is an honour.
Fun Corner!
Click here ,or the picture above, to answer the poll about feedback!


April 2022 Poll winner:
Karen Phillips
Congratulations Karen!
INSPIRATION CORNER
Have You Heard About?
For a chance to win a resource of your choice (value of up to $50), please submit a reflection of yours to Kasia on a topic of your choice that you would like to be considered for publication in one of the upcoming newsletter editions. 

Your submission does not have to be in a form of an essay, other forms of expression are welcome, such as: poetry, video footage, note, opinion piece, interview, photos accompanied by a short text, review, etc.  
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