Culturally responsive early learning & child care in Alberta
The Spark Guide empowers early learning and childhood educators and program leaders to build vibrant, inclusive spaces. In these spaces children can explore each other’s cultures, build confidence, and share their unique experiences.
What is the Spark Guide?
The Spark Guide is a companion and resource for early childhood educators and program leaders across Alberta.
It aims to strengthen skills, capacity, and confidence to provide culturally responsive child care. The principles and strategies featured in the guide come from professionals and programs across the province. It is filled with real experiences, valuable information, and tools that can help build knowledge and skills in a relatable way. The guide enables Alberta educators and program leaders to celebrate the rich cultural diversity in their programs and communities.
Why was the Spark Guide created?
1.
To provide a principle-based approach to culturally responsive child care.
2.
To strengthen and develop culturally responsive child care skills.
3.
To harness and share the expertise of educators and program leaders.
What do educators have to say?
Get practical advice and tools
You can adapt the strategies in this guide to suit your needs.
There is no recipe for culturally responsive child care. That is because culturally responsive practices build on your unique strengths and lived experiences. They respond to your program and setting, as well as the different families and children within your care. The guide is a companion on your journey. Come back to it anytime. Start where it makes sense for you.
To be culturally responsive is to be prepared to have difficult discussions, reflect on your practice, and think from the early childhood educator point of view.
What’s in the guide?
It has important information and practical strategies for educators and program leaders.
Section 1: Introduction
Overview of the guide and principles of culturally responsive child care
Get familiar with the guide, what culturally responsive child care is, and the guiding principles that you can apply to your practice.
Section 2: Strategies
Strategies to strengthen skills and grow your day-to-day practice
Learn about reflective practice, engaging families, routines, physical spaces and materials, and organizational foundations, why these strategies matter, and how to build your skills in the area. Find practical tools and tips for educators and program leaders. Begin with any of the five strategies and make them your own.
Section 3: Context
Background and foundations for culturally responsive child care
Gain an understanding of the background for the Spark Guide. Discover policies that can support culturally responsive child care across the province.
Sparking ongoing learning, adaptation, and creativity
You can grow your skills and inspire others.
Use the guide to spark discussions at your program, with your colleagues, and among others working to provide early learning and child care for children across the province.
Children see themselves and see their realities reflected in how you’re interacting with them…
Partners & collaborators
Developing the Spark Guide was only possible thanks to many expert partners and collaborators. Learn more about them!
Partners & CollaboratorsThe Spark Guide was
Get the guide
Download the guide in English or French and expand on the many great things you are already doing in your program.