Clivia Lee, Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities EarlyON Child and Family Centre

What was your initial reaction to working with children with complex developmental challenges?

During my placement at Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities, I helped facilitate engaging activities, supporting children’s learning, and fostering a safe and inclusive environment. My responsibilities included creating lesson plans, providing one-on-one support to children with diverse needs, collaborating with educators to create meaningful learning experiences, gathering resources for children and families, and supporting families from a variety of backgrounds. I was both excited and a little nervous. While I had experience with children and EarlyON centres before, this was my first time working at an EarlyON with a different and new set of programs that I've never heard or seen of. I quickly got into building relationships with the staff, children, and families. At the beginning of my placement, I also struggled with feelings of self-doubt. Observing experienced educators seamlessly managing classroom dynamics and engaging with new families made me question whether I was making a meaningful impact. Additionally, there were moments when I felt overwhelmed by the diverse needs of the children, particularly when trying to support multiple children at once.

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

I overcame these challenges by shifting my mindset from self-doubt to growth. I sought feedback from my FE, classmates, and professors, asked questions, and actively reflected on my progress. One piece of advice that stuck with me was, "Building relationships and self confidence takes time and small, consistent efforts." This reminded me to be patient with myself and trust that confidence in communicating with families and caregivers would develop through everyday interactions. I also recognized that even small contributions to those daily routines helped strengthen these connections. This experience taught me resilience, the importance of self-reflection, and the value of seeking advice from those around me.

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

This placement reaffirmed my commitment to working with young children and deepened my interest in advocating for inclusive learning environments. It also inspired me to pursue further studies in teaching, as I gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of creating inclusive, engaging, and supportive learning spaces. I am continuing to expand my knowledge of child development, teaching strategies, and specialized support techniques to better meet the diverse needs of young learners while continuing to grow in this field.