My daily practice at Sorrel & Cedar is rooted in one simple truth: we are not separate from the world around us but a part of it. My approach is woven from a few interconnected threads that honour the child’s voice, celebrate the richness of our environment, and acknowledge our shared responsibility to the land.
Our Pedagogical Foundations
- The Reggio Emilia Approach: I view children as capable, curious researchers of their own experience. I treat the environment as the “third teacher,” and use child-led, open-ended inquiry to help them make sense of the world through discovery and wonder.
- Ontario’s How Does Learning Happen? (HDLH): This framework is the heartbeat of the program. It keeps me grounded in the conditions that matter most: ensuring every child feels a true sense of belonging, supporting their well-being, fostering real engagement, and honouring the many ways they express their unique ideas.
- The Seven Grandfather Teachings: These serve as our moral compass. Teachings like Love, Respect, Bravery, Truth, Honesty, Humility, and Wisdom guide how we interact, how we navigate conflict, and teach us to care for the living world together. These teachings come from the Anishinaabe people, and I hold them with gratitude and care as a lifelong student, not a keeper of this knowledge.
Land-Based Learning
At the heart of this space is our connection to the land. Nature is not a backdrop for our daily activities; it is our partner. We don’t just study the natural world; we learn how to walk with it, honouring the life that grows all around us. We learn the names of the plants that grow here, track the shifting seasons, and try our best to stay still long enough to notice the small things. Through it all, the children start to see that they aren’t just observing the world; they’re part of its living community. This is where we learn about reciprocity and what it truly means to be a steward of the environment.
A Journey of Accountability
It is deeply important to me to be transparent about my role in this work. As a settler, I recognize that I am a guest on this land. For me, integrating The Seven Grandfather Teachings and land-based practices into our curriculum here at Sorrel & Cedar is an act of ongoing learning and reconciliation. It is my way of demonstrating humility and a commitment to honouring the original stewards of this territory. I do not claim to hold Indigenous knowledge; rather, I commit to being a lifelong student of these teachings and to creating a space where the children in my care learn to walk softly, act with integrity, and view themselves as protectors of the natural world.
Rooted in Connection
By blending the curiosity of Reggio, the wisdom of the Grandfather Teachings, and a deep connection to the land, I ensure that Sorrel & Cedar is a place where children learn not just about the world but how to be in it with purpose and heart. We are nurturing a community that understands its place within the broader web of life, grounded in respect for those who have cared for this land since time immemorial.
Sorrel & Cedar ELC 