Brock graduate Ramanpreet Kaur Bains (BECE ’24, MEd ’26) is determined to help children, and future generations, thrive through education.

Working in early childhood education (ECE) inspired Bains to further her own education and develop research that advocates for meaningful change in ECE settings.

“Every day when I work with young children, I think about how their education now will set them up for their future learning — it’s a huge responsibility,” said Bains, who graduated with Master of Education on Oct. 16 during Brock’s 120th Convocation.

Her undergraduate research in Brock’s online Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (BECE) program explored the role of technology in early learning environments. She continued to work as a full-time early childhood educator while studying, which allowed her to leverage her professional experience to inform her research.

Under the supervision of Assistant Professor of Educational Studies Jaime Barratt, Bains focused her master’s research on how technology can support physical activity and gross motor development in young children.

“I wanted to learn more about how technology — often viewed as ‘negative’ in early childhood learning environments, especially by families — can be leveraged as an engaging tool through movement videos, dance instructions and yoga demonstrations, for example,” she said.

Her research found that 90 per cent of early childhood educators surveyed wanted to use technology to enhance the classroom experience for children but needed further training and resources.

Bains said the use of technology with young learners should always be intentional.

“We can learn and expand our teaching practice by observing how engagement goes up when children watch a colourful, exciting video on a big screen and harness that engagement to enhance the learning that is occurring,” Bains said.

Bains plans to pursue a PhD to create a step-by-step resource to guide early childhood educators through the process of integrating technology into their classrooms in healthy, intentional and impactful ways.

“By enhancing professional development tools and providing a roadmap for training and best practices, we can harness the learning benefits of technology for children. We can also begin the work of advocating for stronger, equitable policies related to technological use in the field that empower educators to try new approaches in their classrooms,” she said.

In recognition of Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day on Wednesday, Oct. 21, BECE Program Director Sandra Della Porta said Bains’ research and dedication to advancing knowledge should be celebrated as a powerful example of the impact Brock researchers are having on the youngest learners.

“This year’s ECE Appreciation Day theme, Care Counts, is reflected in Raman’s research. Raman thoughtfully enacts ways in which we can foster children’s learning and well-being — through intentional practice,” said the Associate Professor of Educational Studies.

Della Porta said that Bains brings an ethic of care to her research by listening to educators and responding to their needs.

“Raman’s work reinforces the importance of caring for the carers, reminding us all to celebrate our early childhood educators and child-care workers and take meaningful action ensure their contributions are valued and supported.”

Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day 2026 is proclaimed by the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care and observed by school boards and childcare centres across Ontario and provides an opportunity to recognize ECE workers and advocate for resources and support for the field.