Home Modules Module 4: Engagement with Others, Materials, and the World

Module 4: Living Inquiries – Engagement with Others, Materials, and the World

Local Community Connections

Early care and learning spaces become gathering places. Children actively participate in the community.

Critically Reflective Questions

  • How might families, community members, Elders, and intergenerational knowledge holders be welcomed to enrich children’s theories?
  • How can children’s thoughts and theories be made visible to the broader community?
    • What local partnerships might I find that would be helpful?
  • How can I connect or reconnect to local Indigenous communities?
  • What relationships in the community could be cultivated?
    • Think about gardens, hospitals, seniors’ organizations, farms, galleries, museums, academic institutions, industry, or cultural organizations.
  • How might my setting become a gathering place for cross-generational learning?

Case Study: Local community connections

In an early learning centre, the educators have invited an Elder from their community to tell stories to the children on a weekly basis. As the children’s relationship with the Elder grew, the storytelling evolved into nature walks and gardening with the Elder. The children learn about plants and traditional foods. This cross-generational learning is valuable for the children and educators, and makes for stronger connections to the community.

Reflective Question

How might my setting become a place of gathering for cross-generational learning?

children working in a garden scape