Play Learn Grow Together

Welcome to all parents, grandparents and educators who are busy balancing work commitments, family life, and the myriad day-to-day demands on your time. My name is Patricia Shields and I spent my 25 year career teaching and leading in Vancouver elementary schools. More recently, I have worked as a consultant with educators, community partners and families in over 30 B.C. school districts supporting them to implement an Early Learning Program for 5 year old children called Welcome To Kindergarten.  I am passionate about ways to best support families, educators and community agencies as they partner and support children’s educational journey.

This blog is a place for me to continue to learn and grow as I share current effective practice related to play-based learning activities. Each blog, in a newsletter format, will focus on one topic with five sub-headings that include activities relevant to educators and families with young children.  This one-stop newsletter will also share suggestions for educators and families to explore together, virtually or real, around any community or  B.C.’s lower mainland. All of these suggestions are intended to encourage you to engage and interact joyfully with children. Website links to share the rationale or “why’s” behind the ideas presented are included in the Play, Learn Grow Resources section. All this and more is included in this bi-weekly post for you to consider as you play, learn and grow together with your young children.