At Graystone CELA, we believe that professional development is essential to nurturing a vibrant and responsive learning environment for children. Recently, four of our educators had the opportunity to attend the NAREA Conference, a dynamic gathering focused on the evolving role of technology in education and everyday life.
Throughout the conference, our team explored how digital tools can be meaningfully integrated into early childhood settings. They engaged with inspiring ideas about using technology to enhance children’s creativity, collaboration, and engagement—always in ways that are thoughtful, intentional, and child-centered. The experience sparked rich reflections on how we might deepen our pedagogical practices through the lens of innovation and connection.
To extend this learning across our entire team, all staff members participated in a hands-on workshop inspired by the Bordercrossings Conference.
During this session, we explored original documentation from the renowned schools of Reggio Emilia in Italy and experimented with a range of materials—light, loose parts, and digital tools. These experiences invited us to consider how materials can provoke thinking, invite exploration, and support children in expressing their ideas in diverse ways.
The workshop fostered collaborative conversations and fresh perspectives, inspiring us to reimagine how technology and materials can support inquiry, creativity, and relationship-building in our classrooms.
We’re excited to bring these new insights and practices into our centre, enriching the learning experiences we offer every day. As always, our goal is to create spaces where children feel empowered to explore, discover, and make meaning in a world that is constantly evolving.
