Inspired by Wonder Inc.

It arrived today in the mail!!!!

I am deeply honoured to share that I have had the opportunity to collaborate as a contributor in the book, Learning with the Pedagogy of Reggio Emilia: Innovative Approaches to Early Childhood and Teacher Education.

I am especially grateful that Chapter 7 - our chapter reflects a collaboration with my peers and fellow educators, Sarah and Elizabeth from our online MA program that we graduated from in 2022. This program is a meaningful partnership between the University of Colorado and Boulder Journey School.

This work represents the power of collective thinking, dialogue, and shared commitment to reimagining education together.

I also want to express my deep appreciation to Lori Ryan, who edited this book and invited me into this work. Over nearly two years of connecting through Zoom, her guidance, vision, and commitment to this project helped bring this collaboration to life.

I am deeply humbled that Carla Rinaldi wrote the foreword—one of her final texts before her passing. A tireless advocate for children, her voice continues to guide and inspire educators around the world.

To engage in this work alongside educators and thinkers who are committed to seeing children as capable, curious, and full of potential is both humbling and inspiring. The pedagogy of Reggio Emilia continues to remind us that learning is relational, rooted in community, and shaped through listening, truly listening to children.

Thank you to all who made space for this collaboration, and to the children, families, and educators who continue to inspire this work.

LifelongLearning

We have just returned from the World Forum on Early Care and Education in Kuala Lumpur and I’m still reflecting on what an inspiring and grounding experience it was.

I had the opportunity to present multiple times throughout the forum, including a session titled “What the Village Is Already Teaching.” Sharing this work and learning alongside educators and leaders from around the world, was both energizing and deeply meaningful.

A few ideas that continue to stay with me:

“ If you invest in children, you invest in peace”!

Nature as a right, not a privilege
There was a powerful and growing conversation around children’s connection to land and the role of nature in supporting well-being, identity, and learning. Access to outdoor and natural spaces is not an “extra”—it is essential.

Children’s rights in action!
Across contexts, there was a shared commitment to ensuring children are seen as capable citizens, with voices that matter. Moving beyond rhetoric to truly embedding children’s rights in our daily practice remains critical.

Global connections, shared responsibility!
While our contexts may differ, the responsibility we carry is collective. The decisions we make as educators and leaders have lasting impacts on children, families, and communities.

We return feeling both inspired and challenged to continue deepening this work, to advocate, and to listen more closely to the children in our care.

Grateful for the connections, conversations, and continued learning.

Join Pat Furman at MCCA for "When the World Enters the Classroom: Having Difficult Conversations with Children".

When: March 26, 2026
Time: 6:30-8:30pm

Workshop Description: How do we talk with children about death, environmental loss, and experiences that feel overwhelming, even to adults? Children have the right to express their feelings, ask questions, and make meaning of the world they live in, even when that world includes loss, uncertainty, and difficult realities. This session shares concrete examples of how educators used curriculum as a living, responsive tool to support children through complex emotional experiences. Participants will be invited into pedagogical stories of preschool children processing wildfire smoke and its impact on their summer, expressing care for animals, and taking action together. The session will also explore how one classroom navigated grief after the loss of a parent to cancer, highlighting the powerful ways children supported one another by creating a space for grief, empathy, and mutual care. Through children’s words, images, and educator’s reflections, this presentation highlights the role of educators as listeners, advocates, and co-learners, even in the hardest moments.

Click here to register today! https://web.cvent.com/.../4ad5fd2a-037d.../regProcessStep

Join me tomorrow and our Children's Rights working group as we discuss challenging stereotypes! Registration is free!

Let’s Talk! Children’s Rights: Challenging stereotypes – WoFo Global Cafe Join us in WoFo Global Café on February 18 at 11:00 AM New York City/EDT Time for a thought-provoking discussion on children’s rights. Through the power of storytelling, we will delve into the complexities of real-world decision making in relation to children’s rights, highlighting the importan...

🌟 Celebrating Amanda Johnson — 2025 Award Recipient! 🌟

We are incredibly proud to honour Amanda Johnson, recipient of the Premier’s Award for Early Childhood Excellence and the Outstanding
Indigenous Early Childhood Educator Award in Manitoba for 2025!

Amanda has been with Inspired by Wonder since 2016, where she first served as Infant Supervisor. Over the years, she has become a trusted leader,
mentor, and advocate within our centre.

A proud Métis woman, Amanda thoughtfully integrates Indigenous knowledge, culture, and land-based learning throughout her programming—ensuring that children experience rich, authentic, and meaningful connections to identity, land, and community.

Her professional journey highlights her dedication to growth and excellence:
🌿 2022: Completed the Forest Practitioner Program and launched a Forest
School program for preschoolers.
🇮🇹 2023: Expanded her practice through a Reggio Emilia study tour in Italy, enriching her approach to early learning.
📘 2025: Stepped into the role of Pedagogical Leader, guiding curriculum development, documentation, and best practices across the centre.

While Amanda is currently on medical leave and was unable to attend the award ceremony, her colleagues proudly accepted the award on her behalf that evening—an acknowledgement of the tremendous impact she has made on our
community and the field of early childhood education in Manitoba.

✨ Congratulations, Amanda! Your leadership, spirit, and commitment continue to inspire us all.

It’s that time of year again! A huge thank you to the SSCY Centre creating an incredible trick or treat experience for our childcare! One of the many highlights of our year! We value these amazing partnerships we have within our building.

On October 15 we were delighted to spend some time with Anne Marie Coughlin , Author and Early Years Consultant with London Bridge Child Care Services. Many of our staff attended her keynote address and I had the honour of having dinner with her and our friend Marc Battle. The Pedagogical Institute was very inspiring as she reminded us the importance of care in our work. Care for the children, our families and ourselves!

Honoured to presenting at this years CAYC- MB ( Canadian Association for Young Children) professional development day this Friday October 24! Registration is still available! To register:
https://www.mbteach.org/mtscms/index.php/special-area-groups-of-educators/sage-event/?eventid=3996

On Wednesday October 8 at 10am CST, I'll be co-presenting with our Child's Rights Working Group.
Come and discover how a group of 2–5 year olds in our Birch room responded to the summer wildfires in our province. Learn how thoughtful and intentional educators listened closely to the children’s concerns for the animals affected, and how they honored their voices through documentation and meaningful action.

Let’s Talk! We Can’t Do It Alone: Listening to Children, Listening to One Another – WoFo Global Cafe We invite you to join us in this Café on October 8 at 11:00 AM New York City/EDT Time to explore the many ways we as adults are listening to one another, including listening for how we are listening to children.

Saying goodbye is never easy, especially to the children and families who
have shared their laughter, stories, and milestones with us! Each child has
taught us something new and reminded us about the daily wonders in small
moments.

To the families—thank you for trusting us with your little ones, for your
partnership, and for allowing us to be a part of your child’s journey. 💛

Though our time together is ending, the memories, growth, and connections
will always stay with us. Each child and family has become part of our IBW fabric. They’re part of our history and left us traces of their learning.

Wishing each child continued joy, curiosity, and confidence as they step into their next chapter. 🌱🌈

This season we said goodbye to 12 children! We honour them with our River Of Reflection ceremony!