Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre

Inspiring & Promoting Excellence in Child Care & Early Learning

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Screens and Small Children: What the Research Says and What Actually Works (4810-8100)

Online Thursday, August 20, 2026, from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

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Parents and educators of young children have been watching the impacts of heavy media use on children's health, behaviour and well-being for decades and the research backs up their worries, fears and optimism. This workshop looks at the role media plays in young children's development and how screens can be introduced into children's lives in a way that's intentional, healthy and realistic. Participants will walk away with: 
•       An understanding of how media influences attachment, attention and language acquisition 
•       A clear look at the risks of early and excessive screen exposure on development 
•       Practical tools to guide families toward healthier media habits 
•       Community and support to navigate these conversations with confidence 

Living Inquiries:  

  • Communication and literacies. 
  • Identities, social responsibility, and diversity. 

Pathways: 

  • Participants will look at the strength of the media industries currently inundating children's development. 
  • We will explore the role of media in shaping of children's identity and social engagement with the world 

Suitable for 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): Kym Stewart

Kym holds a PhD in Education and an M.A in Communication Studies from Simon Fraser University. Her PhD thesis explores her decades of media studies research, including the development of media education programming for elementary classrooms in Burnaby and Haida Gwaii. Her M.A research explored youth media culture and is one of the earliest explorations of South Korea’s gaming and PC-Bang culture. She has spent the last 16 years as an instructor in the School of Communication at Capilano University.   

 

  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