Tom Kertes’s presentations are thoughtful and highly engaging, covering topics ranging from learning, child development, children’s cultures and early education. While not a parent himself, and therefore not a parent educator, Tom hopes to be a bridge for parents wanting to know more about how theories of children’s development and education can inform educational practice. Parents crossing this bridge can apply knowledge learned to support their own child, whether at preschool or at home.

Tom’s workshops combine theory with common sense practice to help families do what’s best for their child.  His workshops do this with hands-on learning coupled with thoughtful instruction. Participants are challenged and encouraged to think critically by combining new knowledge with long-standing wisdom.

Families leave Tom’s workshops with a deeper understanding of the why and how of early childhood education, which can be applied when communicating and working with teachers or when figuring out how to support your child at home.

Current Family Night Workshops

Early Learning: From Play to Beyond Play
The evidence is in: Young children learn through play that’s meaningful and open-ended.  Parents and early childhood educators who understand and apply this knowledge can work together to support each child’s learning, ensuring that each child’s potential is fully realized.  This workshop covers the basics of play-based teaching and learning, explaining how teachers and parents can help children learn through a variety of play experiences – from entirely child-directed play to adult-supported play.

Once we understand the how and why of play and learning, other questions remain, which is why the workshop also goes “from play to beyond play.”  We address questions such as, what can and should be taught through play? And what are the best ways to support learning through play?  Tom explores these questions through hands-on illustrations, thoughtful discussions, back-and-forth dialogue and an accessible, lively and critical review of the latest research on early learning and play.

(Contact Tom for more information or to schedule a Family Night Workshop.)

Supporting Responsible Children
Children who learn the skills of independence and who can self-regulate may exercise greater responsibility in all areas of childhood, from school, to home, to time alone and with friends or family.  This workshop offers new ways to think about discipline and guidance, based on Tom’s experience as a preschool teacher who encourages children to be responsible and independent, exercising autonomy as productive members of a shared community. Preschoolers in Tom’s early education practice learn how to be independent, how to communicate with others and how make responsible decisions as part of a community of learning and care.

This workshop asks participants to openly share different values and beliefs about child rearing and the proper roles for young children at home and school. Different points of view are brought to the table for open and frank discussion, with no one right way being advanced.  But while Tom does not advance one approach over another, he does challenge participants to re-frame how children’s power can be thought of. Rather than be automatically challenged by children’s expression of power, Tom suggests that this power may be expanded to increase responsible behaviour.

With common sense prevailing, and with respect for different and realistic roles for parents, teachers and children, Tom shares some practical tips for how to encourage young children to exercise responsibility and independence to the greatest level possible for each child (given their age, abilities and developmental level).

(Contact Tom for more information or to schedule a Family Night Workshop.)

More information:

  • These workshops are offered for preschools and daycares in the Lower Mainland for up to 50 participants.
  • Cost for Family Night Workshops is $150 for 1.5 hour workshop, plus travel expenses outside of Greater Vancouver.
For more information about Focus on the Learning workshops or other programming, please contact Tom Kertes by email or phone: