Welcome to September 2022 edition of our newsletter dedicated to the topic of the art of reading. 

As Early Years Professionals, we focus a lot of our attention on literacy when it comes to creating a fulsome curriculum for children in our care. Ironically, however, we ourselves do not always dedicate personal time to reading. Whether you like reading or not, knowing about Benefits of Reading Books: For Your Physical and Mental Health (healthline.com), ought to encourage you to embrace the pastime. I am myself an avid reader, although must admit that due to business of life, I do not read as much as used to, which is a shame and something to work on. I am currently enjoying Stalin’s Daughter by Rosemary Sullivan, a fascinating read. I consider books to be a source of refuge and some authors to be friends, although I never met them and never will as most of them have been gone for a long time. Often, one cannot help but get spiritually/emotionally close to those whose thoughts one has a privilege to explore.  

As always, below you will find resources that you will, hopefully, find interesting, encouraging, and helpful. If you have any resources on this topic, that you would like to share with our Early Years Community, please send them my way. 

On a personal note, I am sharing with you a photo which I took during my canoe/camping trip in Chiniguchi and Temagami area this summer. It was a great trip. I enjoyed the beauty and vastness of our province and gained a deeper appreciation of the simplest things in life. Do you have a photo or two that you took whilst on vacation and which you would like to share with our community? If so, please send them my way. Thank you!

Stay in touch,

Baa Maa Pii Gaawaabmin (I’ll See You Later)

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 RECE. I currently work for EarlyOn at the District of Muskoka.

Why I picked this career is, at the age of 4 years old, I watched a show called, Mr. Dress Up, and that was it for me. That is when the great puppet shows started. I spent my days creating all kinds of complexed scenarios, for my puppets to untangle, and that was very entertaining to me. 

My dreams were almost unattainable, after high school it was apparent a career for me, was not possible. 

In 1987 my knight in shining armour, suggested I contacted vocational rehab. Together we realized even though I am a smart woman, I struggle with reading and writing, and that was because, I am dyslexic.

I went to college, and with the proper tools, I when from Ds in high school to A+.in college. 

I am here to inspire, encourage, and to remind everybody, at first if you fail, try again! I am so glad I did not give up!

Without disclosing confidential information, please tell me how your involvement within the early years profession created a better outcome for a child/family.

As a team, we create a welcoming, engaging environment for families of Muskoka to connect and feel that they belong. Having a place to go to connect, make friends and have someone to listen, to all you have to say about your life, is good for your mental health. Through science, sensory, creative activities, and a whole lot more, families are stimulated and engaged. We show by example, and connecting with families, how being present in their children’s lives is a benefit for all. We gently guide any family that is struggling with any developmental stage, to the proper agencies, to help any child in need. We all hold confidentiality to the highest standard. I greet families with a smile, and it is so nice to see them smiling back. The programs I am involved with, my goal and promise to the family of Muskoka is, you will find a safe space, no judgement, and a whole lot of fun.