1. Encouraging skills development in early childhood education through TOYBOX training and mentorship.
TOYBOX provides free, playful, evidence-based and curricular-based activities in literacy, numeracy and wellness for caregivers and their 2-to-8-year-old children. This project was initiated in 2018 by local community members. The goal was to provide ways for caregivers to access recent research results about getting children ready for learning and life. In Canada, some children do not start school with requisite skills, and they have trouble catching up. This social enterprise research project is designed to ensure every child is accessing the content needed to be a capable and confident learner. We are studying the ways to best train educators and parents to empower them, so they can provide good learning activities and conversations for their children. This year, we have been working directly with children to make sure that the activities are suitable and support learning. Most of the work on our website was completed by undergraduate students, supported by the team. See: https://www.toyboxmanitoba.ca/blog-posts. We have worked in family centres with parents to gently share the work and solicit their feedback. Finally, we have developed training for early childhood educators and teachers about child development pedagogy and content so they have resources and know-how to competently play with children. In 2027, we will be: editing our activities/resources for continued improvement; developing connections with people who can translate materials into minority languages spoken in Canada; continuing our efficacy work to ensure activities are effective in enhancing children's skills development; and *new* finding ways to including child care centres in the research, development and marketing of the program. In 2023, we enjoyed working with 2 MITACS students (and are still in touch with them) who helped us to add some worldly perspectives. We rely on these connections with students and community members to sustain project diversity. (Academic references omitted due to space.)
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: I am the director of Early Childhood Education program at the University of Winnipeg. We provide training for individuals interested in working with children and families. For most of my life, I have been studying the skills children need to be proficient in numeracy. I developed the TOYBOX project to encourage parents and educators to provide engaging activities to support lifelong learning in numeracy, literacy and wellness. This research supports United Nation's children's rights to play and have a suitable education. I have been learning ways to communicate our methods and findings efficiently with parents and educators so children benefit.
Student roles:
The student will work on the TOYBOX team either facilitating training sessions with adults, working individually with children, or developing materials for dissemination to families and early childhood educators and teachers. The student will complete literature searches and complete publication writing or translating of materials depending on their interests and abilities. The student could be asked to attend child care centres and facilitate TOYBOX events with our mascots to demonstrate the learning in the project. We are looking for students who are keen to spend their summer learning with children, families and the research team while having fun, and also supporting ways to encourage learning and wellness with children and their families. Students could be working at the university research space; at home independently (reading articles, writing reports, creating materials for families or children); testing out materials or project delivery at training sessions or child TOYBOX studies, or as part of an early learning and child care outreach event. All activities in community will be held in English (or French, if candidate speaks French). A laptop computer with internet capabilities and a webcam would be an asset, but is not required. Each week, we typically have one in-person lab meeting and one-team meeting on-line. For the remaining hours, students work on small teams to complete assigned tasks. There is space should the student prefer to attend campus during all work hours.
Skills required:
The student will be required to complete an on-line triagency research ethics course, and mandatory TOYBOX training. The student is expected to show proficiency in English. Knowledge of other languages is an asset for assistance with translating our project into other languages. The student should have worked with children in the past, and/or have a desire to work with children. Student should work independently and responsibly, but also as part of the student team. Hours will run during the daytime work week, with very occasional weekends. All training will be provided and students will work at a their own level.