Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (June 07/02) - The adults played the role of the children for a while at Kids' Corner Daycare last week.

Ten childcare workers made clacker blocks and mixed assorted ingredients in some elementary science experiments. These activities were part of a Partners for Children Project, a three-day workshop allowing childcare workers to share ideas on programming and age-appropriate activities such as various arts and crafts.

"The sky's the limit here," facilitator Evelyn Thorogood, from Yukon College, said of the creativity level.

The workshop participants touched on issues such as children's brain development, ages and stages, the role of adults in children's play as well as self-care and support. After all, childcare workers are the people whom many parents trust to look after their children each day. They are essentially the "most important people in your society and least valued," Thorogood said. In discussing barriers to quality childcare, the workers noted that they are often underpaid, entitled to no benefits, receive a lack of professional respect and frequently lack access to resources for their programs.

Workshop helps

However, they do occasionally benefit from a workshop such as last week's, noted Ann Keizer, early childhood officer for the South Slave.

"I think this is great. They're learning (by) leaps and bounds," Keizer said. "The binders are filled with information."

Workshop participant Leah Davidge said the seminar helped her realize the importance of teaching children holistically -- socially, physically, intellectually, culturally, creatively, emotionally and spiritually.

Certain activities combine some of those foundations while others, such as dramatic plays and drum dances, can include each of those elements. Equally imperative is that a childcare worker must be well suited for the job.

"You should love what you do if you're working with children," said Heather Noseworthy.

Davidge concurred. "Love of children is a must," she said.

Fellow participant Sarah Lennie, who works with students in Wrigley, said youngsters are well served to learn about diversity at a young age.

"It's good to incorporate the aboriginal culture and language with pre-school," said Lennie. "The earlier they're exposed to the culture and the language, they'll never forget it."