Keynote 3 - The Development of Self-Regulation
Dr. Stuart Shanker, Distinguished Research Professor of Philosophy and Psychology, York University; Director, the Milton and Ethel Harris Research Initiative, York University
Presentation in PDF
Recent advances in developmental neuroscience are dramatically altering attitudes towards the possibility of maximizing the educational potential of every child. Scientists now understand that the better a child can self-regulate, the better she can rise to the challenge of mastering ever more complex skills and concepts. But what exactly is self-regulation, and why is it so important for learning? Dr. Shanker talked about the nature of self-regulation; the experiences that promote the development of self-regulation and the factors that can impede its development; and what teachers and parents can do to enhance the self-regulation of each and every child in their classroom.
Concurrent Sessions C (1-6)
C1 - Strategies for Reaching Priority Populations
Paula Stanghetta, trainer, facilitator and project manager, Paula Stanghetta & Associates Inc.
Presentation in PDF
This session described key challenges and strategies for working effectively with priority populations. Through discussion and small group activities, participants explored elements of health promotion program design and messaging that succeed in engaging various priority populations. The presentation stimulated audience members to consider the role they play as service providers in reaching various populations in diverse settings.
C2 - FASD and Aboriginal Communities
Kim Meawasige, Consultant
This session covered information about Aboriginal approaches to raising and caring for children and how these approaches apply to children with FASD. This session provided information on the issues and challenges faced by Aboriginal families. Participants learned what they can do support Aboriginal families impacted by FASD or a related condition.
C3 - Growing Up in a New Land
Louise Choquette, Bilingual Health Promotion Consultant, Best Start Resource Centre, Health Nexus
Saleha Bismilla, RN, BScN, MN, Healthy Babies Healthy Children Manager, Toronto Public Health
Presentation in PDF
This workshop was based on the new manual from the Best Start Resource Centre titled: Growing Up in a New Land - Strategies for service providers working with newcomer children. It was designed for service providers who work with newcomer families with children ages 0 to 6 through Ontario Early Years Centres, Healthy Babies Healthy Children, family resource programs, settlement programs, and other parenting programs. The workshop made the manual “come alive” by sharing research information, program ideas, resources and activities which can help newcomer families meet their children’s developmental needs.
C4 - Presentation-Induced Cerebral Necrosis: A Treatment for Death by PowerPoint
Joseph A. Kim, Assistant Professor, Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University
Presentation in PDF
You have likely sat through many uninteresting meetings and presentations dominated by PowerPoint. While the details may be covered, the message is often lost. You have also likely been on the other side – looking out to an audience who struggles to pay attention. What are the costs of missing the message? Does it have to be this way? How does research from pedagogy and applied cognition inform presentation structure slide design? In this lively session (using PowerPoint), Dr. Kim outlined the symptoms and treatment for the wide-spread epidemic of presentation-induced cerebral necrosis. Participants left with a working foundation of how to improve their presentations.
C5 - Weight Gain During Pregnancy: A Canadian Population Health Approach
Becky Blair, RD, MSc, Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
Jennifer Hutcheson, RN, BScN, Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
Presentation in PDF
Resources in PDF
Presentation References in PDF
The goals of this session were to review the issue of excess gestational weight gain and, its impact on maternal and child health outcomes, and discuss recommendations aimed at improving these outcomes. Participants were introduced to the current research describing the rates of overweight and obesity of women of reproductive age, factors which may impact prenatal weight gain (Determinants of Health), and Health Canada’s new gestational weight gain recommendations and tools. Participants explored practical applications of recommendations for healthy eating and physical activity for pregnant women in order to support healthy weight gain in pregnancy.
C6 - Building Resiliency in New Parents
Kirsten Coupland-Tardif R.N. B.Sc.N., Public Health Nurse, Early Years Health Program, Ottawa Public Health
Presentation in PDF
Becoming a new parent is an exciting and wonderful time! With that joy also comes numerous challenges to a parent’s life. How can parents become fully prepared for these changes? This workshop explored some of the evolving trends and issues around the topic of resiliency and becoming a new parent. Participants looked at different tools and strategies to help build capacity around supporting parents and preparing them for their new role.
Keynote 4 – Aboriginal Reproductive Health
Jessica Yee, Founder and Executive Director, The Native Youth Sexual Health Network
Indigenous communities currently face the highest rates of youth pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STI's), and domestic violence in North America. Those who experience these realities the most are our youth. Colonization, Christianization, and genocidal oppression have drastically severed the ties where traditionally we might have received the knowledge that would enable us to make informed choices about our sexual health and relationships. Many of our ancestral teachings show us that several of our societies were matriarchal and this included healthy, educated decisions over matters of childbearing and sexuality. However clinical sexual health often ignores these origins of sex positive existence, while there is a severe lack of culturally competent and community oriented resources available to service the needs in our Indigenous communities.
Today, the Native Youth Sexual Health Network works to address the strength and pride to be drawn in our tradition and culture that is directly related to what we term today as "healthy sexuality". This session was an opportunity to reflect on our experiences working with and for Indigenous youth, while exploring the complexities of sexual and human rights, harm reduction, empowerment in the context of differences in power, the impact of colonization, racism and access to care. We believe that it is with the self-determination of our rights as Indigenous youth and the understanding of our ancestral teachings intersected with our present realities that justice can be met for us in the world of reproductive and sexual health. |
