As Kindermusik(TM) states on their website, their research-based curricula aims to empower young children to learn through music. While this role was short due to closure of the hosting studio, the experience was incredibly valuable in understanding the link between development and engagement!
As I continued with my degree, I had the opportunity to be part of the first graduating class of the BASc Human Behaviour program, which was the perfect mixture of research and application to set the foundation for my continued learning. I was naturally drawn to courses such as ‘Child Development’, ‘Socio-emotional Development’, and ’Child Language Acquisition’. My passions began to intersect in a way that inspired me to continue working with children, and I began to notice how parents were responding to my educational background. Parents of children with speech and motor delay, who are highly sensitive, or who are struggling with separation anxiety, began to seek out my services in ways directly related to those issues. Being able to use my academic knowledge to practically engage with and support children also strengthened my connection to the families I worked for and helped me see the reality for many parents.
Toward the end of my degree in 2018, I began working for a company which provides one-on-one therapy services (ABA/IBI) to Autistic children. I engaged in behavioural therapy with 5 clients and learned many practical and effective methods of tailoring learning to an individual’s needs. I ultimately left this position after a year to pursue my own business services and focus on my studies. Since leaving this position, I have further educated myself on the history and methods of ABA/IBI and the experiences of Autistic adults. I believe there are ways to support Autistic children that does not require masking or enforcement of neurotypical behaviour.
In 2019, I graduated from McMaster with my bachelors degree and began my graduate studies at Seneca College. In May 2020, I completed my graduate certificate in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, including a supervised placement. I am a member of the Sick Kid’s Infant & Early Mental Health Promotion (imhpromotion.ca), the World Association of Infant Mental Health (World Association for Infant Mental Health), and the Ontario Association for Infant and Child Development.
Through the end of 2020 and into 2021, I have expanded my support services into an established business! I invested in myself and my business by completing trainings in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C Candidate), Children’s Mental Health workshops through the Institute of Child Psychology, Babyled Sleep and Wellbeing Specialist training, and level 1 practitioner training through the Theraplay Institute. I also participated in and received the Ontario Starter Company Plus Grant & Training program through the Hamilton Business Centre which allowed my business to further expand into what it is today!