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Institute on Creating Sustainable Environments Hits the Road

In May 2009, Vicki Stoecklin and WHLLG’s interior designer Amy Nichols hit the road internationally to train child care directors in Canada for two days on creating healthy environments for young children.

The pre-conference session was  sponsored by the Manitoba Child Care Association in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and was part of the early childhood agency’s 32nd Annual Early Childhood Education Conference, Where the Rivers Meet: Raising the Level in Early Childhood Education, La ou se Rencontrent les Rivieres: Rahausser le niveau de l’education de la petite enfance.  The presenters were knowledgeable and exciting, and the conference included interesting tours of child care centers and the city of Winnipeg.

Vicki and Amy worked with nearly 60 early childhood staff over two days on creating healthier environments and helping staff make changes.  The first day covered topics as diverse as toxic toys, safe art materials, locating green furniture and how to do green cleaning.  The second day focused on the role nature plays with young children and culminated with all participants making a collage of their “ideal” outdoor environment using art supplies donated by Kaplan. Here is a slide show of creative collages of their naturalized outdoor spaces.

WHLLG is grateful to join hands with our Canadian friends to ensure children will have healthier environments both at home and in child care.

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