HiMama is improving learning outcomes for children zero to five. We support early childhood education because the sector is the most challenging teaching environment. Low wages, lack of professional development and long days; HiMama’s aim is to ease childcare management and support early childhood professionals.
The HiMama team firmly believes that early childhood professionals deserve to be celebrated and that recognition is important. Our Educator Spotlight is one way we are shining a light on the important and undervalued work of childcare professionals.
HIMA’S JOURNEY
“As Maria Montessori’s theory says,”a child shows indications of what he/she wants to become through their play in the early years”. During my childhood, I always used to pretend play as an educator. I worked in different professions before joining and completing my diploma in Early Childhood Education. I always was interested in educating young children and to learn from and with them. It was interesting to learn that every child is different and how important it is to understand from a child’s perspective. Therefore, I decided to help in every possible way to nurture a child’s social, physical and emotional development to make a difference in the world. I now work in a Full day Kindergarten classroom as a designated ECE”.
CHALLENGES IN EARLY EDUCATION
The challenges Hima describes are familiar to many early childhood professionals. She reflected on three challenges that increase the daily difficulties present in early learning environments:
- Expectations: “To work and plan using the natural elements of children’s interest, yet at the same time assess the child according to the expectations of the curriculum”.
- Behavioral and Developmental Challenges: “If we notice any behavioural or developmental challenges, I want to know how to bring the concerns for any developmental assessments for further support to the parents and keep the management and the parents on board”.
- Natural Materials: “Using natural materials for play and also planning effectively for an outdoor exploration naturally rather than just using physical equipment”.
HIMA’S JOY
“Having a partner in my classroom who is an amazing team member”.
“I believe that children are like fresh clay – they are always full of curiosity and with a natural sense of exploration. Seeing and being with them every single day and learning from and with them as learning partners brings me great joy. The positive difference I make on my class as a facilitator gives me immense joy and job satisfaction at the end of the day. I can laugh over my mistakes, I can be myself with children, which brings me joy in my work”.
PARENT COMMUNICATION
“Parents play a very important role in the life of a child, along with an educator at a school or in a child care center. I believe proper and prime communication with the parents is very important, as it makes the children aware that there is transparency in communication between home and school. Communication creates a sense of trust and safety. Parent communication helps in nurturing the needs of individual children’s learning, inside and outside the classroom”.
HIMA’S CAREER GOALS
Hima wants to complete her Masters in Child Psychology and also do a Bachelors in Pedagogical studies for early learning. “I want to set up an individual child care center, which is 24 hours to help parents who need to be flexible at work and who are not able to work due to lack of proper childcare”, says Hima.
Hima also wants to work as a Professor in a University in Early Childhood Education, so she can help to shape many more passionate Educators who are hungry to change the definition for what a true Early Childhood Educator means.
HIMA’S BACKGROUND
Hima started off as a Casual staff in a small child care in 2013. She has been with the Peel District School Board as a Casual staff for 5 years now. Hima has worked on small contracts within the FDK class room in between the academic years. “I just got a contract for a whole year in a Full day kindergarten class room for Sep,2018”, says Hima. Hima also works as a Respite worker and is experienced with working with children with exceptionalities. “I have been associated as a staff at the Readiness program for Kindergarten, training and working with new comer families in Canada to prepare them for Kindergarten”, says Hima.
Do you have an educator you think should be in our Educator Spotlight? Contact us today and let us know!
