LIVE ONLINE 4-PART WORKSHOP SERIES

Join us for this community of practice style series for ECEs

  • Connect

    This series will be offered in a community-of-practice style to bring together educators and enhance connection.

  • Recording

    This series includes 8 hours of professional development, and recordings will be available until the end of the year.

  • Certificates

    Participants will be issued certificates for the full number of hours they complete. Participants will have until the end of the year to complete the hours.

Strengthening Pedagogical Practices Series

This series is for educators who want to strengthen their understanding of pedagogical practices. This series will take place every Wednesday in January 2027. Throughout this series, educators will create pedagogical documentation alongside each other. 


This series is a place for educators to gather, think ethically, relationally and critically about practices in community.


This series will support educators in thinking with their human creativity, resisting the use of AI in pedagogical practice. 


Certificates of completion will be issued based on attendance.


About the Facilitator

During Ana's Masters internship she worked as a pedagogist and followed an inquiry into care and belonging.

Owner and Founder of Early Years Thriving Ana Valle Rivera

Ana is a proud mother of three, a TEDx speaker, a keynote speaker, a workshop facilitator, and the founder of Early Years Thriving. Since 2007, Ana has worked in various capacities in the early years field to support children, families, and educators. Ana has a background in ECE, a Bachelor’s Degree in Child & Youth Care, and a Master’s of Professional Education in Early Childhood Education. Ana is a PhD student in Child, Youth, Family and Community Studies at the University of Victoria. Ana has a passion for connecting learning and laughter, and she deeply cares about the well-being of children, educators and families.

Strengthen Your Pedagogical Practice with Ana!

Check out the dates and details below!

REGISTER NOW!

Understanding "Pedagogy" and What Makes Documentation Pedagogical

Date: January 6, 2027, from 6:30-8:30 pm EST and PST

This is an introductory workshop on understanding pedagogy. Misunderstanding the meaning of "Pedagogy" is what makes it seem overwhelming to educators. This workshop is specifically for Early Childhood Educators who want to expand their understanding of pedagogy and how pedagogy intersects with documentation. Pedagogy is the method of practice and teaching; therefore, there are as many pedagogies as there are spaces, places, and educators. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to pedagogy or documentation. In this presentation, participants will learn:

  • Begin to understand what "pedagogy" means.
  • Learn the differences between documentation and pedagogical documentation.
  • Think of descriptive, rich, and inclusive language to make children's learning visible through documentation.


Holding onto Human Creativity, Co-Creating Curriculum and Pedagogical Documentation

Date: January 13, 2027, from 6:30 pm- 8:30pm EST and PST

At every turn, it seems that AI is being used to take over curriculum and documentation within ECE. Although convenient, in education, it becomes problematic when AI takes over the role of thinking generatively and collaboratively. Thinking together is an integral part of co-creating; otherwise, the curriculum becomes meaningless, and the pedagogical documentation becomes static documentation. Pedagogical documentation is living and requires educators to embrace reflection, tensions and the unknown. This is extremely hard to do without disagreement and multiple worldviews (something only humans can provide at this point). In this workshop, educators will:

  • Take time to revisit their image of the child, education, learning and their child care philosophy.
  • Be given practical strategies for co-creating emergent curriculum and pedagogical documentation.
  • Go over the ethical uses of AI when it comes to "co-creating" and using it as a "thinking partner" as an educator. 


Aesthetics and the Environment as the Third Teacher

Date: January 20, 2027, from 6:30 pm- 8:30 pm EST and PST

Ana created this workshop in 2016 with a focus on Reggio-Emilia-inspired child care spaces. Over the years, this workshop has evolved and responded to changing times. When Ana began in the field, bright lights and colourful plastics were a staple in early years spaces. Over time, aesthetics became minimal. Now, most programs are finding a balance, but shades and tones are not the only aspects of the environment that matter. The environment is not and should not be static. While Ana worked in early intervention, she noticed how the environment impacted certain behaviours. This workshop is meant to provide educators with insights, inspiration and ideas about how to utilize their environment as a third teacher and enhance their inclusive environment. In this workshop, participants will:

  • Reflect on colours, tones and materials in early childhood spaces.
  • Consider how our feelings, vibes, attitudes and image of the child impact our child care space.
  • Think deeply about multiple aspects of our environment (rhythm, flow, play).


Play Over Pressure- An Alternative to the Academic and Non-academic Discourse in ECE

Date: January 27, 2027, from 6:30pm-8:30pm EST and PST

A discourse is a collective and ongoing conversation which can shape how we, as a society, see Early Childhood Education. Ana's master's work at Blossoming Niños included many discourses with children, educators and families as part of the pedagogical documentation process. This workshop serves as an extension of Ana's master's work on care and belonging. Conversations with parents led to thinking deeply about what is considered academic and non-academic in early years programs, which led to thinking with Moss (2019) and alternative narratives in ECE. What makes a child care program academic? Why are programs pressured to be more academic? What if, instead of passing on pressure, we passed on play in ECE? In this workshop, Blossoming Niños is offered as an alternative to the current academic and non-academic discourse in Early Childhood Education. In this workshop, educators will:

  • Think about dominant discourses in ECE and how they impact and are impacted by pedagogical choices, societal views, and political contexts. 
  • Discuss the implications of an education system that is deeply rooted in proof and evidence.
  • Reflect on pedagogical documentation and how it can make a case for play and lead to alternative narratives through collective meaning-making.


Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is this professional development live or self paced?

    This series will take place in January 2027. Participants are welcome to attend whichever time zone works best for them.

  • What technology do I need?

    You need a device with a screen, audio and internet. You can use a laptop, iPad, tab or phone. You can also access all course material through the thinkific app.

  • Can I get a receipt or confirmation?

    Once you register you will see a confirmation webpage and you will receive a receipt email. If you need a more detailed receipt please contact us.

  • Can I get a refund or credit after purchase?

    Yes, however refunds are not available once participants unlock their certificate. It is up to the participant to go through the material at their own pace. If you are unsatisfied with the material please contact customer service ([email protected])

  • Will I get a certificate of completion?

    Yes, certificates will be available upon completion of all the workshops. We keep record and track participation of all who register. Certificates of completion will be issued based on attendance.

  • How do I replace a lost certificate?

    Remember to download your certificate and any resources. If you lose your certificate, just contact us and we provide you with a new one.

  • Will this professional development be accepted by the ECE registry in my province or state?

    Ultimately it is up to the participant to ensure this workshop would be accepted by the ECE authority in their province or state. Each certificate of completion will include our contact information so that we can support educators to get their professional development hours. PLEASE COMPLETE ALL MATERIALS IN FULL. You must complete all the materials in full and answer all questions so that we can ethically verify your certificate with any ECE registry.

  • Who do I contact for help?

    Email [email protected] for support and we will get back to you as soon as possible.