Sparking Conversations on Culturally Responsive Childcare
by Spark Team
Sparking Conversations is a podcast for early learning educators and leaders to explore what culturally responsive childcare looks like in action. Each episode explores everyday practice—how to navigate cultural differences, support diverse families, or create spaces where all children feel a sense of belonging. Hosted by Sarah and Thea from the PolicyWise team that created the Spark Guide. They sit down with educators, leaders, and cultural experts to share stories, reflections, and practical ideas. Whether you’re new to Spark or looking for fresh ideas, this podcast is here for you!
Episodes
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13. Learning from the Land as Our First Teacher
What happens when we let the land guide children's curiosity and learning? In this episode, we sit down with Etienna Moostoos-Lafferty, an educator, PhD candidate, and Assistant Professor in Early Learning and Curriculum Studies at MacEwan University, to look at play through an Indigenous lens…
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12. Following Children's Lead in Play
What happens when children are not just invited into an activity, but are trusted to shape it from the beginning? In this episode, we sit down with Kennedy Kozak, a play professional and designer with a background in early childhood education and inclusive design, to explore what it means to...
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11. Reflecting on Bias for Inclusive Play
What assumptions about play might we be carrying without realizing it—and who gets left out when we expect play to look a certain way? In this episode, we sit down with Alison Rinas, Manager of Inclusive Childcare at KidsIncluded, and Shay Saxton, Early Learning Inclusion Navigator at…
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10. Learning Across Cultures Through Play
What can children’s play teach us about who they are and what matters to their families? In this episode, we sit down with Amaka Amadike, faculty member at Bow Valley College and Executive Director of Between Cultures Foundation, to explore how culture shapes the ways children play, connect, and...
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09. Exploring How Play Builds Young Minds
What can we learn about children’s thinking when they play? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Ozlem Cankaya, Associate Professor in Early Learning and Curriculum Studies at MacEwan University, to explore the connection between play and children’s cognitive development. Dr. Cankaya shares how...
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08. Building Structures for Curiosity, Celebration, and Kindness
How do you create a childcare system that truly supports culture, diversity, and belonging? In this episode, we sit down with Rebecca Leong, an early learning leader with over 20 years of experience and a strong focus on educator well-being and children’s rights, to explore what culturally...
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07. Cultiver l'identité francophone dans l'apprentissage précoce
Que signifie soutenir les enfants tout en renforçant une langue et une culture ? Dans cet émission, l'animatrice invitée Meghan Perrin s'entretient avec Kirsten Wallace, directrice de la prématernelle La Capucine à Calgary et professeure au Campus Saint-Jean, au sujet de l'apprentissage précoce...
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06. Navigating Cultural Differences through Curiosity
What if navigating difference wasn’t a problem to solve, but an invitation to learn? In this episode, we speak with Deanna Mendoza, an award-winning early childhood educator and Coordinator of the Care for Newcomer Children Program at the Edmonton Newcomer Centre, about the everyday realities of...
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05. Turning Language Differences into Strengths
What changes when we treat children’s languages as strengths? In this episode, we speak with Andrea MacLeod, a researcher on multilingual families and bilingual development, about early learning in minority language contexts and the powerful role childcare plays in shaping how children and…
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04. Uplifting Educators Through Collaborative Leadership
What becomes possible when leadership is grounded in collaboration rather than hierarchy? In this episode, we speak with Adine Shuchuk, Executive Director of Jasper Place Family Resource Centre, about how thoughtful, values-based leadership can uplift educators and strengthen culturally…
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03. Talking with Children About Differences
What do we do when a child names a difference, and we’re not quite sure how to respond? In this episode, we sit down with Jasvinder Heran, Executive Director of the Intercultural Child and Family Center in Edmonton, to explore the moments that make educators pause, feel uncomfortable, or...
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02. Bringing Childcare Spaces to Life with Stories
What if childcare spaces could tell the stories of families? In this episode, we talk to Jody Merrick, from the Terra Centre in Edmonton, an early learning leader who shares her experiences shaping childcare spaces with families, not just for them. Through reflection and lived experience, the...
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01. Building Belonging and Joy with Families
What happens when we stop trying to be the expert and start getting curious instead? Our first guest is Naheed Mukhi, a parenting and early childhood curriculum developer and champion for culturally responsive childcare. This episode asks educators and leaders to consider: What shifts when...
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Welcome to the Podcast
Welcome to Sparking Conversations on Culturally Responsive Childcare! This podcast invites listeners into honest conversations about culture, belonging, and inclusion in everyday practice. Hosted by Sarah Andrews and Thea Luig, members of the PolicyWise team that created the Spark Guide, each...
About this show
Sparking Conversations is a podcast for early learning educators and leaders to explore what culturally responsive childcare looks like in action. Each episode explores everyday practice—how to navigate cultural differences, support diverse families, or create spaces where all children feel a sense of belonging. Hosted by Sarah and Thea from the PolicyWise team that created the Spark Guide. They sit down with educators, leaders, and cultural experts to share stories, reflections, and practical ideas. Whether you’re new to Spark or looking for fresh ideas, this podcast is here for you!
Hosted by
Spark Team