Focus on the Learning

Focus on the Learning provides practical, hands-on and engaging workshops, learning circles and other programming for early childhood educators and families of preschoolers.  Workshops focus on how communities of learning and care can best support each child in realizing their full potential.

Since children learn through play and meaning, our workshops focus on how to teach through meaningful play.  We go beyond play to think about what can and should be taught to young children through the practice of play-based early childhood education. We answer this question together, since early education is centred on the values and beliefs of families, the basis for our diverse cultures.

Focus on the Learning workshops include time for dialogue, so that we can learn from each other and develop a deeper understanding of our differences and diversity in a multi-cultural community of great cultural wealth.

Upcoming Workshops

• We will start offering ECE Learning Circle workshops for early childhood educators in the fall of 2010. We’ll be posting more information and resources in the coming months!
• Family Night Workshops are now being offered for preschools and daycares in the Lower Mainland, for groups of up to 50 participants.
• Professional Development Intensives start in the fall of 2011 and will provide early childhood educators with 15 hours of professional development on exploring reading, mathematics or science with young children. The intensives combine theory with practice and include hands-on materials and activities so that participants leave with ideas and supplies that can be immediately applied at their centre or preschool.

• Email: Tom@FocusOnTheLearning.com
• Phone: (604) 600-4926

The next ECE Learning Circle will be about mathematics and will focus on ways to explore numbers and number concepts with children ages 3-5.

NOTE: This workshop is currently full. Please send an email to tom@FocusOnTheLearning.com to be added to the wait list. Thank you.

• When:
  • Saturday Sept. 25 from 10 AM to 3 PM
• Where:
  • Workshop will be in Vancouver (near 7th and Fraser in Mount Pleasant neighbourhood)
  • Register for exact location
  • Bus route: Within walking distance of the 99 B-Line (exit at Fraser)
• Cost:
  • $20 (suggested donation) payable in cash or cheque on day of workshop
  • Bring materials: There will some sample materials that we’ll make during class – a materials list is provided in advance.
• Professional development certificate:
  • Certificate issued for 4.5 hours of professional development in early childhood education
• Workshop information:
  • Skills, concepts and theories related to numbers are foundational to many other areas of math. This workshop focuses on dozens of ways to understand and apply number theory, including counting, learning number-names and extending numbers to other learning areas.
  • Workshop is facilitated by Tom Kertes (read more about Tom’s experience).
• To register:
  • Space is limited, so please reserve early (currently full – wait list is open)
  • Call or text: (604) 600-4926
  • Email: tom@focusonthelearning.com