Learning Centre Journal

Here's where you'll find the latest from our Reggio-Inspired Learning Centre, including news, information on upcoming events, and stories from our educators. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter, too!

Cultivating Strong Relationships

Cultivating Strong Relationships

September 8, 2021

As educators, we know that the stronger relationship we have with the children, the better we can learn together. As September arrives and we welcome new children into our programs, … Read More

Children Can be Risk Assessors Too

Children Can be Risk Assessors Too

September 21, 2020

Risky Play is always a topic that comes up in our work with children: how do we allow risk without jeopardizing the safety of the children in our programs? A … Read More

“Difficult” Discussions

“Difficult” Discussions

June 15, 2020

Emily was holding a multi-colour flower while riding the bike. As she was driving by, she told me that the flower was for George Floyd. Emily said she’s having a … Read More

Story Time at The Village

Story Time at The Village

May 11, 2020

Our educators at Frog Hollow have been thinking of ways to connect with children who are not able to attend their childcare centre due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Educators and … Read More

Observation & Cognitive Knots

Observation & Cognitive Knots

April 28, 2020

On our online workshop on April 16th we introduced and deeply investigated the concept of “cognitive knots” which was new to many of our attendees. Carolyn Edwards, defining cognitive knots … Read More

Clay Monster

Clay Monster

March 31, 2020

Our February 2020 Conference was led by Suzanne Axelsson, who helped us see technology and the “digital” with a different perspective. “Screen-time” has become taboo in the world of Early … Read More

A conversation with August

A conversation with August

March 24, 2020

The outbreak of the Covid-19 virus has made many changes to the usual patterns we see in our everyday lives: people are staying at home more often, stores are packed … Read More

Observation: a Difficult Day at the Infant Room

Observation: a Difficult Day at the Infant Room

October 18, 2019

From Maryam, our Learning Centre Director: Observation and reflection is the foundation of Emergent Curriculum. As educators, we must be able to record our observations, our thoughts and our feelings … Read More

Making Children Visible

Making Children Visible

October 4, 2019

Making Children Visible is our favourite initiative at the Learning Centre. Through this initiative, we bring children out into the community through community projects. In turn, these projects remind adults … Read More

The Magic of Loose Parts

The Magic of Loose Parts

September 20, 2019

Loose Parts have been a huge part of our culture at Frog Hollow. The children in our programs are used to the concept of Loose Parts and when a new … Read More

Alex’s Music

Alex’s Music

September 13, 2019

What is it like to be a partner in learning with children? How do we, as educators, listen actively to what the child is expressing with their 100 languages? How … Read More

Parent Interview: Ping

Parent Interview: Ping

September 6, 2019

Family involvement in our Reggio-inspired children’s programs is so important. When families can see and understand the experiences that we share with their children, this beautiful approach is enriched for … Read More

Hugo’s Fossils

Hugo’s Fossils

August 30, 2019

An Introduction from Hugo’s mum: One of the magical things about the Reggio approach that I have observed as a parent is that there are so many opportunities to witness … Read More

Sves’s Potions

Sves’s Potions

August 23, 2019

Reflection is a vital part of the educator’s practice in the Reggio Emilia approach. As educators, we come across hundreds of “AHA moments” in our journeys with the children. It … Read More

Meeting Time: A Shared Experience

Meeting Time: A Shared Experience

August 16, 2019

Our “circle times” at Frog Hollow have changed dramatically since we started to think about promoting a Culture of Collaboration in our children’s programs. Traditionally, our circle time has been … Read More

Making Children Visible on the Drive

Making Children Visible on the Drive

August 9, 2019

Last summer, as part of our Making Children Visible initiative, we spent the day on Commercial Drive, asking people passing by about their ideas to make the Drive more accessible … Read More

Reggio-Inspired Mentor Program

Reggio-Inspired Mentor Program

May 31, 2019

Our Reggio-Inspired Mentor Program begins in September. This program is designed for Reggio-Inspired programs who would like to implement in-house mentorship for their own educators. The program aims to train … Read More

The Beauty of Serendipity

The Beauty of Serendipity

May 3, 2019

Serendipity can be thought of as a happy accident. It is what many scientists and artists come across during their explorations; it is the birth of many amazing creations in … Read More

The Reggio Approach in School-Age Programs

The Reggio Approach in School-Age Programs

April 25, 2019

Often we hear that the Reggio approach is only appropriate for younger children. At Frog Hollow’s Children’s Centres, we have deeply looked into this claim, and we disagree with it. … Read More

Pedagogical Encounters

Pedagogical Encounters

April 12, 2019

Pedagogical Encounters are public tours that allow participants to observe our children’s centres, and see our Reggio-Inspired programs in action. These Encounters are much more than just a tour; in … Read More

ECEBC Leadership Conference 2019

ECEBC Leadership Conference 2019

April 3, 2019

We are honoured to be presenting at the ECEBC Leadership Conference, and excited to be part of their evening tour this week. Maryam, Gary, and Anna will be presenting on … Read More

Living With Material

Living With Material

March 29, 2019

For a long time, The educators from Frog Hollow Kids World programs were not sure how to use clay in their programs. They continued to challenge themselves, offering the clay … Read More

Mentoring Reggio Educators

Mentoring Reggio Educators

March 22, 2019

The Reggio Emilia approach is rewarding, fascinating and exciting. But it is also complex and requires much work, practice and dedication. At Frog Hollow we have realized that training our … Read More

New Workshops Open for Registration!

New Workshops Open for Registration!

March 15, 2019

We’ve posted new workshops and tours for Spring 2019. Scroll down to read what’s coming up at the Learning Centre, and follow the links for more info and to register. … Read More

Custom Workshops and Tours

Custom Workshops and Tours

March 8, 2019

On January 19, 2019, Frog Hollow Learning Centre provided a Custom Workshop to the educators of Bright Eyes Academy. The educators at this centre have been exploring the Reggio Emilia … Read More

Conference Wrap-up

Conference Wrap-up

February 25, 2019

Our Second Annual Conference was a huge success; thanks to everyone who participated! On the evening of Thursday, February 21, we launched the conference with an inspiring session with Sara … Read More

Join Us For Evening Events!

Join Us For Evening Events!

January 25, 2019

Now that the Making Children Visible Exhibit has begun, we would like to invite you to two evening events that we’re hosting in conjunction with the Exhibit, and the upcoming … Read More

The Encounters Exhibit has begun!

The Encounters Exhibit has begun!

January 18, 2019

Thanks to those who attended the Open House at the Roundhouse on the evening of the 15th, where we officially opened the 2019 Encounters Exhibit. We are looking forward to … Read More

Encounters Exhibit Presentations

Encounters Exhibit Presentations

December 21, 2018

We are very excited to host two presentations as part of the Encounters Exhibit. Open House and Presentation: Join us at Roundhouse Community Art & Recreation Centre to hear about … Read More

Being Present

Being Present

December 14, 2018

Today I want to share an observation from Mike Graham, one of our educators at Frog Hollow, and remind us of the importance of Being Present. As educators in early-years … Read More

Cognitive Knots

Cognitive Knots

December 7, 2018

Recognizing “Cognitive Knots” and welcoming the uncertainty they offer is one of the ways our educators at Frog Hollow “observe” children and engage with their ideas. In The Hundred Languages … Read More

Relationships and Connections

Relationships and Connections

November 30, 2018

Relationships and connections are important principles of the Reggio Emilia approach. Educators of Reggio Emilia believe that humans are interconnected and interdependent beings. Lella Gandini speaks of educators, families and … Read More

The Reggio Emilia Approach

The Reggio Emilia Approach

November 23, 2018

Here at the Frog Hollow Reggio-Inspired Learning Centre we’re always looking for ways to spread the word about the many amazing benefits of the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood … Read More

6 stages of Curriculum Design

6 stages of Curriculum Design

November 16, 2018

Progettazione, or the “Projection of Curriculum” is a complex and yet rewarding process in which educators of Reggio Emilia imagine potential paths for the emerging curriculum. Inspired by the Reggio … Read More

Environment as the Third Teacher

Environment as the Third Teacher

November 9, 2018

One of the most common questions that I receive at our workshops is, “how do you manage to spend time with small groups of children when you have so many … Read More

New Glossary of Terms

New Glossary of Terms

November 2, 2018

Every program has terms and phrases they use that are specific to their approach. Recognizing that some of the language we use at Frog Hollow may be unfamiliar to new … Read More