Claire Caron, Centre Francophone du Grand Toronto

What was your initial reaction to working with children in this placement?

Through this placement, I learned the importance of balancing professionalism, friendliness, and clear communication when working with children and families. At first,  I was nervous about engaging with caregivers and family members and was unsure how to build trust and form meaningful connections with them. I felt like the placement pushed me out of my comfort zone.  Under the guidance of my field educator, I began designing activities based on children’s interests and my confidence started to increase slowly.  Eventually, one of my activities was selected to be on the centre’s poster board and that recognition gave me a wonderful sense of accomplishment.

How did you overcome these hurdles — and what did you learn about yourself and your practice?

Initially I was nervous because I was not sure how to engage with the families. Families at the centre came from various backgrounds and at first it was a challenge for me to understand the  value of cultural diversity  in building trust and fostering strong relationships. I also had the opportunity to work with a child on the autism spectrum and I found some resources that I shared with the mother. My field educator was very helpful in my interactions with these families by providing both constructive and positive feedback on a daily basis. Her positive comments kept me motivated and confident in my abilities.

How did this field experience influence your plans for working in the early childhood sector?

Now that I look back, I can see how important it is to prioritize building a strong relationship with caregivers and family members right from the beginning. I know that even after graduating from this program I will continue to actively engage and seek feedback from both families and my mentors.