Advancing Your DEI Journey in Early Childhood Education
  • Study time: 1.5 hours
  • Coach: Sophie Rayner-Grignon

Overview

Explore how pretend play begins with infants through the smallest, sweetest moments: copying, experimenting, using everyday objects, and trying on familiar routines. We’ll reflect on what “make-believe” can look like before big dramatic play shows up, and how educators can notice, support, and stretch those early sparks of imagination. Tiny play moments, big meaning.

Learning Outcomes

  • Recognise the earliest signs of pretend play in infants and what they signal developmentally
  • Understand how everyday moments like copying, experimenting, and routine play build imaginative thinking
  • Apply practical strategies to notice, support, and extend early play sparks in your setting
  • Reflect on your role in creating environments where infant imagination is seen and nurtured

Resources Included

  • Video Workshop
  • Workbook
  • Self-Reflection Prompts

Certificate Included

Outline

Workshop: Supporting Sensory Experiences in Children

Video: Supporting Sensory Experiences in Children
01:00:22
Workbook
14 Pages
Reflection Prompts
10 questions

Get Your Certificate

Download your certificate of completion!
Certificate of completion
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Meet the instructor

Sophie Rayner-Grignon

Sophie (she/they) is a queer, creative educator with over a decade of experience as a Registered ECE. She lives and works on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Peoples in Ottawa, ON.

Her journey began with babysitting and volunteering in a special needs program in Japan. Her experiences inspired her to pursue Early Childhood Education at Algonquin College, where she graduated with honours in 2014.

Since then, Sophie has dedicated her career to supporting young parents, infants, and toddlers in nonprofit childcare settings. Her approach centers around intentional play, curiosity, and connection — seeing every interaction as a chance to nurture trust, joy, and learning.
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