Ashwak Bawa-morad: Nurturing emotionally healthy children, guiding parents

Year: 2018 – Province: Alberta

Transcription – Ashwak Bawa-morad-2018 Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in Early Childhood Education

[Black screen fades up to close-up of woman in interview setting, against a mottled background. Music playing.]

[Caption: Ashwak Bawa-morad, Edmonton Northwest Child Care Centre]

Ashwak Bawa-morad: The number one factor that contributes to student learning is that they have a strong, healthy relationship with the adults in their life.

[Ashwak speaks in the interview setting, alternating with voice over accompanied by video and still images, as follows: Ashwak speaking into a microphone behind a podium and pointing to a screen, with several of her fellow recipients gathered around a large table listening; Ashwak seated at a round table in the child care centre with several children, holding a book and listening to a child; and a child playing with wooden pieces suspended from rings on a bar.]

Ashwak Bawa-morad: It is very important that they feel loved, and build that trust between them and the adult in their life; to feel they are welcome in the environment in which they learn. I am a big believer that the environment has a big influence and impact on the way that children behave and learn, by exposing them to an inviting environment that allows them to explore and curate their own learning style.

[Cut to close up of Ashwak speaking into a microphone behind a podium, addressing fellow recipients.]

Ashwak Bawa-morad: The environment serves to answer questions through exploration. An intentional environment allows children to imagine, to explore, wonder, problem-solve.

[Cut back to Ashwak speaking in the interview setting.]

Ashwak Bawa-morad: By having materials that they can put together to invent something.

[Ashwak speaks in voice over, accompanied by still shot of a child and devices created with sticks, rope and other objects.]

Ashwak Bawa-morad: For example, I have one child who made a windmill and 10 months later he comes in with it and he says, ‘Oh, look, I still have my windmill!’

[Cut back to Ashwak speaking in the interview setting.]

Ashwak Bawa-morad: It’s very important that they feel that the materials are there. With encouragement and motivation, they surprise you with what they can come up with. Technology can positively impact the education process by … It can help children to be ready for school readiness skills.

[Cut to still photo of Ashwak looking at a book with several children.]

[Cut back to Ashwak speaking in the interview setting.]

Ashwak Bawa-morad: Technology can have a positive impact on them because they start learning how to find answers to their questions. I would say that it’s not an easy field but it’s a very rewarding field.

[Voice over is accompanied by a long shot of Ashwak speaking into a microphone behind a podium and pointing to a screen, with several recipients gathered around a large table listening.]

[Cut back to Ashwak speaking in the interview setting.]

Ashwak Bawa-morad: I would like to say ‘to get inspired and to inspire others. Just keep going.’

[Fade to black.]

[Cut to white screen, with the Government of Canada FIP followed by the Canada Wordmark.]

Certificate of Excellence Recipient

Ashwak Bawa-morad

Edmonton Northwest Child Care Centre
12823-116 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB T5M 3C8

Telephone: 780-454-6353
Website: Edmonton Northwest Child Care Centre

 

Type of setting: Child care centre for children ages 2.5 to 4 years

Born in Iraq, Ashwak Bawa-morad sees the children, families and staff of the child care centre as her extended family. She brings to her work with young children the love, nurturing and attention to detail of a mother caring for her family, and acts as an ally and strong guide, and support for parents.

Philosophy of care

Ashwak understands that children develop best when they have a secure and consistent relationship with their caregiver and a positive relationship with other children. With quiet grace and a detailed plan for each day's activities, she ensures each child receives her undivided attention and encouragement.

Support of child development

  • Focuses on daily play (indoors and out) as most important vehicle for developing physical health, imagination, building and creative skills, and language, sensory and fine-motor skills
  • Creates stimulating and engaging masterpieces—provocation tables, sensory bins and an indoor garden—focused on themes and children's interests to challenge but not frustrate little hands
  • Emphasizes children's emotional health and literacy: children identify their emotional state on the "How Are You Feeling?" board; by signing in on the "Who's Here Today" board, children develop a sense of belonging and awareness of others who are absent
  • Fosters inclusion through language: Sign language and simple words help children with limited language skills or whose home language is not English feel included, as does teaching basic vocabulary and counting in the various languages children speak with their families

Involvement with parents, families and the community

  • Respects families' heritage and culture: "All about Me" questionnaires solicit information about customs and practices at home; Ashwak incorporates these through music and meals at the centre
  • Employs many ways to communicate with parents: daily and weekly observation sheets capture important events and developments to share; documentation panels in centre feature pictures (with captions) of what children have been learning; portfolios contain samples of children's work
  • Works one-on-one with parents in response to children's behaviour, sharing ideas for addressing problems and ensuring a consistent approach at home and at the child care centre
  • Reaches out to the community for its and the children's benefit: established pen pal program with seniors home; partnered with university food literacy research program; supports local food bank

Rave reviews

"True leaders inspire. Ashwak inspires the children each day but she also inspires the parents to be better versions of ourselves … . We are thankful that Ashwak chose to come to this country, to our daycare and to share her life experiences and knowledge with us."

Parent and centre board member