Creating a Sense of Belonging: A Drop from Education’s Ocean

Behnaz will share her knowledge in relation to ECCE through the lens of the stories she lived. She will engage the audience with topics such as: the image of the child, the image of the educator, the meaning of pedagogy in ECCE, and how to create pedagogical environments where children feel that they belong. She will engage the participants in reflective activities that will support the crystalizing of their own perspectives. The hope is that educators will know themselves better after this workshop. Behnaz embraces interculturalism and passionately lives and facilitates in ways that are inclusive and ethical.

Living Inquiries:
Well-being and belonging.
Engagement with others, materials, and the world.
Communication and literacies.
Identities, social responsibility, and diversity.

Pathways:
The image of a child
What is the image/role of a teacher?
What is pedagogy?
What is the Pedagogy of belonging; what is the sense of belonging, and how should we create and respect it?
How to create an environment where learning flourishes and children’s creativity and imagination are encouraged.
How does pedagogical narration make a change in the center?
How to respect inclusion and the role of community in children’s wellbeing and life.

Suitable for ECE students and all early care and learning professionals working with children of all ages and abilities, from 0 to 12 years of age.

Facilitator(s): Behnaz Lotfi

Behnaz has been involved in ECCE since 1978. After a break dedicated to raising her two children, Behnaz returned to studying and became a passionate Early Childhood Educator who continues her studies at Capilano University. She is interested in what is new in this beautiful profession. She loves to share her knowledge, advocate for inclusion and support families and students who are new to Canada in her role as a mentor.