Sprott Shaw College invites you to attend our first annual Early Development Symposium – Connections and Conversations taking place on Thursday, October 15 at our Downtown Vancouver campus. This event will explore how relationships, environments, and everyday practices shape children’s and Early Childhood Educators’ mental health and wellness in Early Childhood settings.
EVENT DETAILS:
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026
Time: 8:30AM – 4:45PM
Location: Sprott Shaw College Downtown Vancouver Campus – 789 W Pender St Suite 200, Vancouver, BC V6H 1H2
2026 Theme: Building Strong Foundations – Promoting Mental Wellness in Early Childhood Settings
Registration Fee: $20 per person
EVENT SCHEDULE:
Welcome and Opening Remarks (8:30AM – 9:00AM)
Keynote Speaker (9:00AM – 10:00AM)
What Caregivers Really Need to Thrive: A Path to Wellbeing – Facilitator: Samantha Johnstone, College Instructor and Workshop Facilitator
Morning Workshop (10:30AM – 12:00PM)
Stronger Together: Teamwork and Self-care in ECE Programs – Facilitator: Pooja Kalsi
OR
Leading Beyond Behaviour: The Connection Between Educator Regulation and Children’s Emotional Wellbeing – Facilitator: Ismelalem Fikre Woldegiorgis
Lunch (12:00PM – 1:00PM)
Community tables and presenters in the lobby
Panel Discussion (1:00PM – 1:45PM)
Afternoon Workshop (2:00PM – 3:30PM)
Navigating Mental Wellness – Facilitator: Shiela Mae Balacuit
OR
Creating Communities of Care: Reflective Practice, Well-Being and Emotional Safety in Early Years – Facilitator: Behnaz Lotfi
Closing Remarks (4:00PM – 4:30PM)
If you have any questions about the event, please email katarina.jovanovic@sprottshaw.com for more information.
