Questioning with Curiosity in Our Reflective Practice
with Kathy Boelsma RECE
and Susan Ramsay RECE
Founders & Co-Hosts of Early Learning Café
Live Online Session:
Wednesday Dec. 4, 2019 (7:00‑8:30 p.m. EST)
This Online Conversation is an introduction to reflection and questioning – a foundational practice of RECEs and early learning educators. Reflection and questioning lead us into communication, listening, valuing others’ ideas and risk taking in conversation, and help us examine mistakes for new learning.
In this Café we can learn authentic ways to question ourselves, our practice and our colleagues, with a sense of trust and genuine curiosity.
Join us as we cultivate a way of relating to each other and our work through the exchange of ideas and guided discussions about our values and how we approach learning with children.
What should you expect?
- A 1.5 hour live online conversation with Kathy and Susan that includes both large and small-group discussions
- Opportunity for reflections and Café feedback
- Certificate of completion
- Ongoing access to this café’s supplementary materials
What do I need in order to participate?
This program includes a live, participatory online conversation among all the participants. Therefore, in order to participate, you will need the access to:
- an internet device: a computer (laptop or desktop) or tablet (iPad or Android tablet)
- your device must include a camera and microphone
- a high-speed internet connection (at least 5 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload speeds)
- We highly recommend that you complete the free ELC Cafe called “The Early Learning Café Meeting Space” Completing this café will ensure that you have the required hardware and application (RingCentral Meetings) for your computer, that they are working properly, and you are able to access our online meeting space.
This Café supports the Ontario Ministry of Education’s:
The Kindergarten Program (2016):
- Supports the Pedagogical Approach of Reflective Practice and Responsive Relationships
CECE Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice July 2017
- Standard I Caring and Responsive Relationships
- Standard IV Professionalism and Leadership
About Kathy Boelsma and Susan Ramsay:
Kathy Boelsma RECE and Susan Ramsay RECE met almost 18 years ago as Early Literacy Specialists in the South East Region of Ontario. With the introduction of How Does Learning Happen? (2014) and The Kindergarten Program (2016) in Ontario, however, their interests and desires to understand Reggio-inspired thinking and pedagogy more deeply grew. In March 2018, Kathy participated in a study tour to Reggio Emilia, Italy. A few months later Kathy and Susan began planning an online forum for early learning educators to think, question, and reflect together about Reggio-inspired ideas. In 2019 Early Learning Café’s first online conversation was launched.
As well as her work with Early Learning Café. Kathy works part-time as an educator in a Reggio inspired Forest School. She also offers spaces for in depth learning and pedagogical collaboration work with educators and programs through her social business network ReCognition. Similarly, Susan is developing resources to spark thinking and reflection among educators and parents through her business Inspired to Learn. Susan’s past experiences in childcare, and as a consultant will be augmented through her work in kindergarten classrooms this fall.
Both Kathy and Susan have been studying with the Ontario Reggio Association (ORA) in the Emergent Curriculum Certificate program.
