Early Childhood Educators play an important role in supporting gender creative and transgender children, their peers, and their families in the child’s journey as they explore gender and express their authentic selves. In this workshop, we will discuss concepts around gender expression and gender identity, learning how to educate children about complex topics in a developmentally appropriate way. Learners will gain knowledge of the particular barriers transgender and gender creative children face as we explore how we can create a safe,  equitable, and gender-expansive learning environment that focuses on joy and inclusion, rather than adversity and rejection. Additionally, we will discuss how managers and co-workers can support gender diverse educators in the field in a respectful, responsive way.

TK is a manager of a forest school with years of experience in Forest Schools in Ontario and BC. TK is an openly nonbinary transgender educator who uses they/he pronouns. In addition to Forest School, they work as freelance  workshop facilitators. Some examples of his workshops are Storytelling,  Creative Art and Loose Parts in the Forest, Supporting Transgender and  Gender Creative Kids in the Early Years, & Supporting Outdoor Play and  Exploration in the Early Years. TK is passionate about  holistic education, the importance of play (no matter the age!) and the journey of unlearning. In their spare time, TK loves to play guitar, spend time in nature and keeping play alive in his life!