Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre

Inspiring & Promoting Excellence in Child Care & Early Learning

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Sign Language: My Smart Hands® Level 1

This is a multi-day workshop. Please ensure you are available for all the dates listed below:

8 online sessions - Saturdays, October 19 - December 14, 2024 from time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm (10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/16, 11/23, 11/30 & 12/7 & 12/14, 2024)

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Sign language is a communication tool that you can actively use with preverbal and verbal babies and toddlers in your care. Most children begin to gesture at a fairly early age. We see them put their hands in the air to be picked up, point at things they want, wave bye-bye when someone leaves, and more. When this occurs, children quickly learn that these movements will elicit a reaction from their caregivers. By taking their natural gesturing to the next level, we can teach children specific signs that they can use to clearly communicate their needs.

In My Smart Hands® Level 1 sign language workshop, you will learn over 100 signs to use with the children in your care. Further, in our language-rich and playful environment (yes, brew the coffee, because we’ll have a good time during our sessions together!), you’ll build your American Sign Language (ASL) pedagogy and communication through guided and self-directed instruction, interactive games, and songs. We will explore techniques for successfully integrating signs into everyday life like words for food, family, animals, emotions, opposites, bedtime and play signs.

NOTE: Before the first session participants will receive by email, a digital version of the MSH® curriculum workbook.   

Living Inquiries:

  • Well-being and belonging.
  • Communication and literacies. 

Pathways:

  • Joy in relationships with people, place, materials and ideas.
  • Every child is a gift.
  • Interests and inquiries.
  • Multiple modes of communication.
  • Language and communication.

Suitable for ECE students, parents, intermediate and experienced early care and learning professionals working with children of all ages, from infants/toddlers to school age children, including children with extra support needs.

Facilitator(s): Rosie Paulyk

For almost 13 years, Rosie has worked with hundreds of families both online and in-person as an early childhood music educator, where she uses ASL in practice on a daily basis. Because of this, becoming a My Smart Hands’ licensed online workshop facilitator and educator was a snug-as-a-bug-in-a-rug fit! Presently, in addition to hands-on pedagogical roles, Rosie oversees a team of educators who facilitate the Multiply Music Effect™ via online music classes for children ages newborn to 17. In addition, she is the creator of Chronic Oasis: an online community for humans who love and care for chronically ill family members, chosen family included. In Rosie’s free time (yes, she makes sure she has some!), you'll often find her relaxing at home with a book, a cup of Dark French Roast coffee and her 19 year old cat Eric.

 

  1. Requests for cancellations must be received at least 3 business days prior to the workshop/course date to get a refund, minus any Administration Fees.
  2. All refunds are subject to a $10 Administration Fee, except for workshops/courses that are $100 or more, which have a $25 Administration Fee.
  3. No monies will be refunded or credits offered once the workshop/course starts, or if it’s missed.
  4. Westcoast may cancel a workshop/course at any time. Registrants will be notified and receive a full refund.
  5. If a class is missed, registrants forfeit their fee and there will be no refund or credit.

By registering for a workshop / course participants declare they have read, understood and agree with these policies.

  1. It is the participants’ responsibility to read the workshop/course description and objectives and make sure the training selected is suitable for their learning needs.
  2. Camera's must be on during the workshop to receive a certificate.
  3. Only Vancouver CCRR Registered LNRs or Vancouver Licensed Family Child Care Providers qualify to pay the FCC Fee and will need to state this when they create their account on our website and be approved for this access. When you are an approved CCRR Registered LNR or Vancouver Licensed Family Child Care Provider, these reduced fees will automatically be applied to your registration for all applicable workshops.
  4. Participants must be 19 years of age to work with children.
  5. Minimum Grade 8 high-school English understanding, written and oral skills or equivalent are necessary to actively participate in class.
  6. Participants must stay for the full workshop/course to receive a certificate.
  7. Doors close 15 minutes after start time in respect to the presenter and participants.
  8. We are unable to accommodate children during workshop/course time. Please make childcare arrangements.
  9. Payment must be made at the time of registration to confirm a seat.
  10. Receipts are available on your account at wccrc.ca/login
  11. Handouts (if any) are sent by email.
  12. Certificates can be reprinted or downloaded from your account at any time after you complete the full workshop or course.
  13. Everyone in the class must abide by the Classroom Code of Conduct.
  14. These are non-credit workshops/courses, meaning they cannot be applied towards the completion of a university or college certificate, diploma or degree.
  15. If you have questions about a certificate being accepted by the ECE Registry, please contact them at 1-888-338-6622 or look on their website here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/early-learning/teach/training-and-professional-development/become-an-early-childhood-educator/renew-maintain-ece-certification

By registering for a workshop / course participants declare they have read, understood and agree with these policies.

We are all guests in the training room. In an effort to maintain a safe and welcoming environment, we ask that we follow these guidelines:

  1. Respect people’s choices, experiences and feelings.
  2. One person speaks at a time.
  3. Participate actively by including your voice and make space for other voices to be heard.
  4. Respect confidentiality, what is said in the group, stays in the group. Speak in private with the instructor if necessary.
  5. Assume the best intent. This is a space to learn and sometimes that means making mistakes.
  6. Take care of yourself, whatever that may look like.
  7. Mute your microphone to reduce background noise and unmute it for group discussions, to comment or ask questions.

By registering for a workshop / course participants declare they have read, understood and agree with these policies.

By registering for a workshop/course participants declare they have read, understood and agree with all policies.

In keeping with our eco-conscious goal of reducing paper use, handouts, resources and certificates will be sent by email. In this way, participants will have a resource that can be saved and viewed across various devices, shared and printed anytime.

We may take some photographs (including a Zoom group picture) during workshops/courses with the purpose of promoting our training. By registering you consent to allow us or others attending to take your photograph. If it’s okay with the facilitator, you may photograph materials, slides, books, etc., but not film the workshop.

Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) require a minimum of 40 hours of professional development to renew a certificate to practice. Select topics you would like to expand on or that you’re passionate about.

Registered Family Child Care Providers (RLNR) are required to complete at least 4 hours of professional development before their annual renewal date.

Questions?

Visit our Workshops Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

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Contact Info

Professional Development Team
Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre
pro-d@westcoastfamily.org
604-709-5661 EXT 1221