Early Learning Matters

Early Learning Matters Executive Director with 20+ years of early childhood leadership experience.

Helping directors, educators, and childcare programs grow through practical leadership, governance, consulting, professional learning, and wellness retreats.

10/06/2026

A fun surprise gift could be yours!!! And all you need to do is comment on the original post ! ❤️

Confident children aren’t made by getting everything right. They grow through the small moments when someone shows them:...
10/05/2026

Confident children aren’t made by getting everything right. They grow through the small moments when someone shows them: Your ideas matter. You can try. I believe in you.

High-quality ECEs support this every day when they:

🌱 Make space for children to share their thoughts
🌱 Notice effort, curiosity and persistence
🌱 Give children time to try things for themselves
🌱 Listen with care
🌱 Offer choices and respect children’s boundaries
🌱 Encourage them when something feels challenging

And these moments can happen at home, too. Let your child help with a little task, choose between two options, tell you about their big idea, or try again while you stay close and cheer them on.

Children build confidence when the grown-ups around them make room for their voice, their choices and their growing abilities.

ECEs and families are on the same team. 💚

What’s one small way you help a child feel capable?

10/03/2026

🎉 ELM GIVEAWAY! 🎉

I have some goodies left from the last retreat, so I thought… why not turn them into a giveaway?! 💛

But I also want to know who’s actually hanging out here with me?

How are YOU connected to the early years?

🍎 ECE
🌱 ECE student / new to the field
👩‍💼 Director or Assistant Director
📋 Board member
🏠 Home childcare provider
👨‍👩‍👧 Parent of a little one
💛 Grandparent of a little one
🌈 Something else — tell me!

To enter: Just comment below and tell me how you’re connected to the early years.

That’s it. No essay. No tagging five friends. 😂

🎁 One person will win an ELM prize package filled with goodies!

I’ll deliver it if you’re local, or ship it to you if you’re farther away so you don’t need to live nearby to enter!

Want to tag an early-years friend who might enjoy ELM too? Go for it, but it’s not required. 💛

Winner will be randomly drawn Wednesday, October 7!

This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by Facebook or Instagram.

10/02/2026

Answer me this!?

Early learning days can be loud, messy, busy, and full of plans that change.

But the small moments matter too: a child feeling safe enough to try, a kind word at just the right time, or someone taking a moment to listen.

To everyone working in early learning in the classroom, the kitchen, the office, or behind the scenes thank you for the care you bring to your work.

What’s one little moment from this week that stayed with you?

10/01/2026

Are children “just playing” at childcare? I hear versions of this question sometimes and the short answer is that play is one of the ways young children explore ideas, use language, solve problems, and connect with others.

A day full of play may not look like a series of formal lessons, but there’s a lot happening. What do you notice children learning through play?

09/30/2026

This might be an unpopular opinion, but I don’t think “school-ready” should mean every child can sit still, complete a worksheet, or meet the same checklist before kindergarten.

Early learning matters. Children are learning every day but so much of that learning happens through play, relationships, routines, and having room to try things for themselves.

What do you think childcare should focus on most before school?

Today, I’m recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. I’m taking time to remember the children who never...
09/30/2026

Today, I’m recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

I’m taking time to remember the children who never returned home, honour residential school survivors and their families, and reflect on the lasting impact of residential schools.

Listening, learning, and supporting reconciliation are ongoing responsibilities. 🧡

09/30/2026

Today, September 30, we acknowledge the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

We recognize that reconciliation is an ongoing journey, not something that happens in one day. Today is an opportunity to pause, reflect, continue learning, and consider how we can contribute to meaningful reconciliation in our work and our communities.

We encourage you to take some time today to learn and reflect as well.

For more information about Orange Shirt Day and the 94 Calls to Action in Truth and Reconciliation use the links below.

www.orangeshirtday.org

https://nctr.ca/about/truth-and-reconciliation-commission-of-canada-calls-to-action/

09/29/2026

Who does your centre call when something feels off?
Boards see the reports. Directors and teams live it every day: staffing, budget, licensing, tough parent conversations. A lot of it gets handled alone, and most centres only bring in help once it's a crisis.
Centre Support is monthly access to an early years consultant for your centre. Email or call with questions about finances, operations, or anything that doesn't feel right.
Comment or DM "SUPPORT" and I'll share how it works.
And I'm curious: what's the last thing you handled on your own that you wish you hadn't had to? 👇

Address

Box 458
Cabri, SK
S0N0J0

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Early Learning Matters posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category