HELLO/AANII,
Welcome to April 2022 edition of our newsletter dedicated to the topic of chess.

For those of you who are not chess players, the idea of learning to play chess, let alone teaching others to play chess may evoke feelings of apprehension. After all, chess is a strategic game requiring focus and the ability to be tactical, and that is not easy. While this is undeniably true, chess is also simply a game that has interesting chess pieces and rules that make it one of those games that you can play for as long as you live and never be bored with. Also, chess is beneficial in many aspects. I hope that this edition of our newsletter will encourage you to introduce chess into your practice.

To those of you who already include chess in your curriculum, thank you! If you have any resources on chess that you would like to share with our Early Years Community, please send them my way.
On a personal note, I have been enjoying playing chess with my son lately. Still, lots to learn so we keep The Kids’ Book of Chess by Harvey Kidder close by when playing, but fun!

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. 
How to Teach Chess to Toddlers

Time commitment: 38 minutes, 43 seconds
Areas of interest: chess, games children can play
Format: video

This video gives several approaches and a lot of advice for teaching 2-5 year olds how to play chess.

Also, here is a link to the slides.
ChessKid

Time commitment: depends on level of exploration
Areas of interest: chess, curriculum, strategies,
Format: website

A platform for kids to learn and play chess and educators and parents to teach chess. Click here for the website.
How to Play Chess for Kids | Learn How to Play Chess in 6 Minutes

Time commitment: 6 minutes, 5 seconds
Areas of interest: chess, children led instructions
Format: video

In this video, children explain basic chess moves and chess pieces.
Please write to Kasia to let her know your thoughts on Chess or any other topic for a chance to win a resource of your choice (value of up to $50)
EARLY YEARS PROFESSIONALS IN MUSKOKA
Carol Corriveau-Truchon
What is your current job, and how did you arrive at it, in other words why do you do what you do?
When I became a parent, I realized how much I didn’t know about being a parent. Thanks to Barbara Coloroso and Susan Biehn-Smith, I learned so many skills. My goal is to ensure that other parents in Muskoka have the same opportunity.

Without disclosing confidential information, please tell me how your involvement within the early years profession created a better outcome for a child/family.
When I was a parent education facilitator, I remember teaching a condensed version of “How to Talk so Kids will Listen” over several weeks to inmates at Beaver Creek. On my fourth visit, one of the inmates enthusiastically told the class that “this stuff really works”. He went on to describe how he had spent the weekend with his family in one of the onsite cottages and when he simply described the toys that needed to be cleaned up in a very calm way, his children would pick them up. He was so shocked and he said his family was equally shocked that he was not yelling.

What's most challenging about the work you do?
I think it is the commonly-held belief that parenting should come naturally, and that if you need to take parenting classes, you are either a bad parent or you have bad children. I think this is changing but I would like to see parenting classes become as common as prenatal classes.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to read and travel and spend time with my family

What book/resource could you recommend to our readers?
While I love to read, I also love to listen to podcasts! I highly recommend Unlocking Us with Brene Brown and We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle

What’s your favorite quote?
The one I am learning from right now is from Brene Brown – “Let go of who you think you are supposed to be; embrace who you are”.

Who inspires you and why?
My kids. I often think that they prove Newton’s theory that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts; they are kind and adventurous and wise in ways I can only hope to be.

In the last couple of years, what new belief, behavior, or habit, or item, has most improved your life?
I am learning to become more mindful through meditation and journaling. I have also picked a couple of tasks I do everyday, like making coffee and washing my hair and hands, and I try to remain present while I do them. I find it really helpful to stop my mind from racing and bring myself into the present moment at several points throughout the day.

What advice would you give your teenage self?
Exercise regularly! I was never (and never will be) an athlete, but in the last few years I have learned how beneficial daily exercise can be to my physical and mental health.

What would you take with you to a desert island?
My bed; I’m really not a “sleep on the ground” kind of girl.

Anything else that you would like to share?
When you are supporting children and families, you are truly doing to the most important work out there; you are caring for those littles who will grow up and change the world.
Fun Corner!
Click here ,or the picture above, to answer the poll about Chess!


March 2022 Poll winner:
Jamie Haley
Congratulations Jamie!

INSPIRATION CORNER
Have You Heard About?
DBT Interpersonal Effectiveness

“No!” Such a small word, but it has a big impact. In this session, we will review communication skills and how DBT utilizes strong assertiveness skills. Learning how to say no is difficult. In this session, we will go over how you can practice saying no without feeling guilty. Also, how to find your voice to speak up for what you need and/or want.

Date & Time: Wednesday, May 4th, 1:30-2:30pm

This event is free, but pre-registration is required. Click here to register!
Revised CPL Program
The revised Continuous Professional Learning (CPL) Program is launching in July 2022. Approved by the College Council in April, the revamped program now includes member education on sexual abuse prevention and a simplified CPL Portfolio that:
1. Reduces the portfolio cycle from two years to one
2. Reduces the number of required professional learning goals from three to one goal per year
3. Reduces components from three to two

For more information on the Revised CPL Program, please visit the CCEC website.
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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