According to Thomas Boyce (2019), the author of ‘The Dandelion and The Orchid: Why Some Children Struggle and How All Can Thrive’, highly reactive ‘orchid’ children are sensitive to their environment and are at a higher risk of being misunderstood. There will be many factors about children that are unknown to us as educators and teachers, however in the time we work with children we can create environments that support resilience, or negatively impact already sensitive children. In this workshop participants will be presented with information about what impacts childhood mental health. Participants will be presented with information on stress, adversity, and trauma and will learn about the observable qualities of relationship building and co-regulation as a foundation for compassionate, trauma-informed educational care.

Ana Valle Rivera has a diploma in ECE, a Bachelor in Child and Youth Care and is currently completing a Master of Professional Education in ECE through Western University. Ana is a parent, a children’s book author, and the founder of Early Years Workshops & Training. Ana currently works as an Infant Development Consultant and works alongside the Coalition of Child Care Advocates for BC on advocacy for a quality $10/day child care system. Ana has many aspirations but her focus is to inspire positive change in the early year’s field through sharing a vision of social justice and social wellness for all.