Welcome to the 2026 Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (BECE) Symposium.
The Symposium celebrates the final thesis projects of BECE students by sharing their research with the early childhood education community. Explore the themes below to learn more about a range of topics of interest to early childhood educators.
ECE Workforce & Professional Practice
Dezirae is a fourth-year Early Childhood Education student at Brock University. Her Capstone Research explored burnout among Canada’s early childhood workforce. Dezirae is a dedicated early childhood director in PEI, who is passionate about supporting early childhood educators to remain healthy, happy, and committed to their work with young children.
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Elin PIckfield is a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (BECE) candidate and Ontario-based RECE with a strong interest in advocacy and workforce development in Early Childhood Education. Her passion is shaped by firsthand experience with the working conditions that inform her research.
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Fareeha Mirza is a BECE student who is already working in the field as an ECE. She is passionate about children’s well-being and supporting their future. On weekends, she enjoys working with senior dementia patients at the hospital. In her free time, she loves spending time with her cat, Bano, listening to good music, and
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Luke Zivolak is a RECE from Hamilton, Ontario completing his Bachelor of Early Childhood Education degree through Brock University. He is excited by learning and working with children outdoors as well as dramatic play. He is passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion within the classroom environment and amongst educators in the profession.
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Retention and Turnover in the Early Childhood Profession – PDF
Melody Barrera is an early childhood educator who loves exploring with children through loose parts play. She is passionate about working with children on the spectrum, who inspire her to stay in the field. In her free time, she enjoys nature walks and baking.
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Robyn Siggelkow is a fourth year Early Childhood Education student at Brock University. Her capstone research explored how professionalism is framed through pedagogical practices found in four provincial early learning frameworks. Robyn believes educators play an essential role to leave a lasting positive impact on children.
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Family, Technology & Home Contexts
Adrianna Brinjak is a registered early childhood educator who completed her studies at Niagara College and Brock University. Her capstone research explored the impact of parental engagement on cognitive development in the early years. Adrianna plans to pursue a career in education as a teacher.
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Parent Engagement and Cognitive Development in the Early Years
Angela Korakas is a fourth-year Bachelor of Early Childhood Education student at Brock University. Her capstone research project focused on the physical health outcomes of kindergarten- and preschool-aged children. As an ECE, she has spent most of her professional life working with children and is working towards a Bachelor of Education.
Heather McBride is a 4th-year student in the B.ECE program. In her free time, she enjoys gaming, reading, and long-distance running. Drawing on over a decade of childcare experience in building relationships with families, she has found a growing interest in technoference, or digital interference, especially in our highly digital society.
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Jonathan Hatsisavvas is a graduating student from the Early Childhood Education program at Brock University. He was born in Toronto, Ontario Canada and works as a Registered Early Childhood Educator in the Downtown area. His capstone focuses on the benefits and challenges of digital technology in early childhood settings. He chose this topic to better understand how technology can be used intentionally and meaningfully to support children’s development while addressing the concerns he has observed in real classroom environments.
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KD S is a 4th year BECE student and educator who examined the correlation between digital devices and child development. They addressed this connection in hopes that other educators and caregivers can learn more about this topic to give guidance and direction to the youngest generation.
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The Impact of Digital Devices and Screen Time on Child and Adolescent Development
Kristina Furlone is a fourth-year student in the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education program at Brock University. She completed a capstone project examining how the home environment can influence kindergarten readiness. She hopes to further her education and apply her knowledge to the research field, finding ways to support children’s learning.
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How a Child’s Home Environment Influences Kindergarten Readiness
Embedded in a pedagogical foundation of attachment and relationship Lori Pratt started her ECE career in 1994. Over the decades she has modelled lifelong learning earning certifications and participating in such areas as POPARD, Play Therapy, Autism Awareness, LOT, and Peer Mentoring. Always staying curious, asking questions, and seeking perspective.
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Meagan Breen is a fourth-year student in the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education program at Brock University. Her Capstone study explored how sociocultural factors can play a role in the quality of parent-teacher relationships. Meagan is passionate about creating inclusive and responsive learning environments. She plans to further her education in Teachers College and eventually enter the school system to teach grades 1-4.
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Sociocultural Factors and their Influence on Parent-teacher Relationships
Rukaiya Patel is a fourth-year Early Childhood Education student at Brock University. Her capstone research explored how digital tools foster creativity in early childhood settings. Rukaiya is passionate about teaching and plans to pursue her career by earning a teacher’s diploma.
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How Does Digital Tools Foster Creativity In Early Childhood Settings
Inclusion, Equity & Neurodiversity
Cortney Memmolo is a 26-year old educational assistant completing her degree to pursue a Master’s in Counselling Psychology. Inspired by her blind sister and her work, she is passionate about supporting young children with special needs through play and sensory-based interventions.
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Classroom-Based Sensory Integration and It’s Role in Supporting Self-Regulation in Children with Autism
Hallie Joris is a fourth-year Early Childhood Education student at Brock University. Her capstone research explained how inclusion is defined in Ontario K-3 Policy. Hallie is passionate in supporting students of all abilities and is pursuing teachers college with a goal of working in a self-contained classroom.
Hoodo Kayd Abdillahi is a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education student at Brock University and a registered early childhood educator. Her honours thesis examines Female Genital Mutilation in Canada, with a focus on laws, policies, and the support services available to children and women.
Jayda Melo is a fourth-year Bachelor of Early Childhood Education student at Brock University. Her capstone research explored the impact of positive and culturally responsive classroom management on educator self-efficacy and practice. Jayda is passionate about traveling and hopes to teach in diverse classrooms around the world.
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Impact of Positive and Culturally Responsive Classroom Management
Katrina Byron is a fourth-year Early Childhood Education student at Brock University. Her Capstone project examines how teacher practices in inclusive early years classrooms impact the engagement and learning of children aged 3–6 with autism spectrum disorder. Her passion for supporting neurodiverse learners drives her work.
Paige is a second year Early Childhood Educator student at Brock University. Her capstone research explored how multi-sensory learning environments combined with universal design for learning guidelines, can positively influence engagement, behaviour and emotional regulation development among neurodiverse learners. Paige is passionate about the importance of incorporating different modals of teaching through your senses and movement to create an inclusive classroom that supports all learners.
Rui Mao is a registered early childhood educator with both Chinese and Canadian educational experience and over 10 years of working with children aged 0 to 12 in Canada. Based in Niagara Falls, Ontario, she is a visual learner with a strong interest in Indigenous cultures, which inspired this study on Indigenous picture books.
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Cultural Identity and Relational Resilience in Canadian Indigenous Picture Books
Sarabi Outerbridge-Dill is a para-educator in the Bermuda Public School System with a passion for working with children with special abilities. She is completing her Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Honours) at Brock University and her honours thesis explores how art-based learning can support neurodiverse children.
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Art-Based Learning and the Development of Neurodiverse Children: A Rapid Review
Sasha Reimer is a 4th year BECE student at Brock University. Her Capstone research examined how the timing of ADHD diagnosis in girls influences their social and emotional development across childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood. Sasha is passionate about women’s health and hopes that this research will widen the scope for others when learning about ADHD and how it presents.
Sofija Kljajic is a student in her fourth year of the Bachelor of Early Childhood program at Brock University. Her research focuses on inclusive literacy practices that empower adult learners from diverse cultural backgrounds. Sofija is passionate about lifelong learning, equity in education, and fostering community-based programs that promote access, engagement, and social inclusion.
Literacy, Language & Numeracy
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Claire Knights is a BECE student graduating this year. She lives in a small rural town in Southwestern Ontario, with her husband & 2 year old son. She is looking forward to someday being a primary school teacher. Her passion for teaching young children started when she became an RECE in a preschool classroom.
Erica Cupiraggi is an Early Childhood Education student at Brock University and a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE). Her work focuses on language development, family engagement, and relationship-based practices that support young children’s communication and learning.
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Jammie Cole is a fourth-year student in the B.ECE program. Her capstone research study examined OCT’s perspectives on the effectiveness of the literacy curriculum and on strategies to help students maintain grade-level skills. Jammie is passionate and driven to be an effective primary junior teacher who not only advocates for her students’ literacy needs but also educates and supports parents with resources and strategies to help their children succeed.
Jessica Purdy-Perri, 27 years old. A Bachelor of Early Childhood Education student at Brock University. My research focuses on early literacy development and how social media shapes perceptions of learning in early childhood. I am passionate about supporting children’s development through meaningful, play-based learning experiences. I plan to continue my education and attend teachers college to become an elementary school teacher.
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Khairoon Adam is an educator in Niagara with 14 years of experience in the field. She has worked in diverse educational settings in both Canada and Uganda. Khairoon chose to pursue her Bachelor of Early Childhood Education in response to the ever-evolving needs of educators and schools. She believes education is always changing, and that educators should continue to learn, grow, and evolve alongside it.
Marissa Rodrigues is a BECE Candidate passionate about play based learning and Literacy in early childhood education, Marissa is a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) and Resource Educator (RE) practicing as a Resource Educator in Toronto, Ontario. Marissa loves the outdoors and is passionate about continuing to learn and develop as this amazing field continues to change.
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Play-based learning and its role in supporting emergent literacy skills.
Satinder Singh Gill is an Early Childhood Educator in Out of school age program from the last five years as a room lead. He completed his ELCC Diploma from Northwestern Polytechnic, Grande Prairie. He got hired in the daycare while he was doing his internship. He came to Canada for his studies. After becoming permanent residence, Satinder decided to fulfill his dream which was to become a teacher. So, he started doing his Bachelor of Early childhood education from Brock University.
Outdoor & Nature-Based Learning
Abigail Hawes is a Registered Early Childhood Educator and fourth-year Bachelor of Early Childhood Education student at Brock University. Her capstone research focuses on nature-based outdoor education in early childhood education. She loves spending time in nature and enjoys camping whenever she can.
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Andrea Boal is a fourth year Early Childhood Education student. Her capstone research project explores and explains the benefits of outdoor play and how technology has negatively affected those opportunities. Andrea is passionate about outdoor play and the opportunities it provides for children.
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Outdoor Play: Problem-Solving, Risk-Taking, and the Benefits of Outdoor Play
Ashley Briand is a Registered Early Childhood Educator pursuing a Bachelor of Education. Her work focuses on how outdoor play supports children’s social-emotional development through real experiences. She values child-led learning and creating environments where children can take risks, build confidence, and develop a strong sense of self.
I am a 25 year old, small town girl, who began my early childhood education journey seven years ago when I began working in an early learning center. I have a passion for making positive impacts on children’s lives. I plan to further my education in this field to eventually become a counsellor for children.
Carrie Wu is a fourth-year early childhood education student at Brock University and a registered early childhood educator. Her capstone research explores how outdoor play environments influence play behaviours in preschool children. Carrie is interested in finding a balance between safety and meaningful outdoor play experiences.
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The Influence of Outdoor Play Environment on Play Behaviours in Preschool Child
Christina is an early learning professional with over 20 years of experience supporting children, families, and educators across diverse settings. Her research explores place-responsive pedagogy, emphasizing the environment as a “third teacher.” She integrates reflective practice to strengthen collaboration and enhance outcomes in early learning communities through collaborative leadership approaches.
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Understanding Place-Responsive Pedagogy: The Environment as the Third Teacher
Dilpreet Uppal is a BECE student in her last year at Brock University that choose to research the question “Benefits of Outdoor Play” to see how the natural environment supports skills, well-being, and development of Early Learners in a early childhood education settings.
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Erin Routley is a fourth-year Early Childhood Education student at Brock University and a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE). Her research focuses on outdoor learning in preschool settings. Erin is passionate about play-based learning and creating engaging environments that support children’s development, curiosity, and well-being.
Glinda is a nature loving RECE whose passion for gardening and outdoor exploration comes from her grandparents. As Glinda experienced nature’s benefits in her childhood, she hopes her students feel nature’s calm, love, and adventure as they grow, and she shares every opportunity to enjoy the outdoors together.
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Growing Minds and Hearts: Preschool Children Learning Through Gardening
Hailey Trask is a fourth-year student in the Bachelor’s of Early Childhood Education program at Brock University. Her Capstone focused on the barriers Early Childhood Educators face when implementing nature-based learning in the learning environment. She is a registered Early Childhood Educator passionate about working with children. She plans to continue her education journey and become a certified teacher.
Haley Dygos is a fourth-year student in the Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Education program. Her research focuses on how outdoor learning supports young children’s social-emotional development. She is passionate about creating meaningful, play-based environments that support children’s growth, relationships, and well-being.
Helen Krajc, is an Early Childhood Educator and fourth-year BECE student at Brock University. Her capstone research examined early childhood education for sustainability, with a focus on pedagogy, teaching practices, and learning outcomes in Ontario’s early years framework. Helen aspires to continue sharing ECEfS with young children in kindergarten and the primary grades.
Jasmin is a Registered Early Childhood Educator who works with primary-aged children in Grades 1 to 3. She values relationship-based, responsive practice and creates learning experiences that support children’s confidence, well-being, and sense of belonging through play, exploration, and everyday interactions.
Jaspreet Kaur is living in Alberta for the last five years with her sister. She moved to Canada in 2019 to explore more opportunities and started working with the out-of-school care program after finishing her ELCC diploma in 2022. Currently, she is doing her Bachelor’s with a couple of friends and her sister.
Klara Wegrzyn is a Registered Early Childhood Educator with two years of experience and a student at Brock University. She is passionate about nature-based learning and inclusive practice, and is dedicated to fostering children’s curiosity, development, and overall well-being.
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Understanding the Developmental Benefits of Nature-Based Play
Sarah Patterson is a fourth-year student at Brock University in the BECE program. Her capstone research project looked at how outdoor education is framed in curriculum and policy. As an educator she wanted to better understand how curriculum documents supported outdoor learning.
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Stephanie Reben is a Brock University student studying Early Childhood Education and an RECE in Toronto. She discussed the importance of outdoor play and how it supports emotional regulation and social development of children from infancy to kindergarten.
Victoria Torres is a Registered Early Childhood Educator and a student in the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education program at Brock University. She is passionate about fostering children’s well-being and learning through play, relationships, and meaningful connections with the natural world, with a focus on inclusive and responsive practice.
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Exploring Educator Perspectives on Outdoor Play and Sustainable Educational Practices
Play-Based Pedagogy & Learning Environments
Eden Page is a second year Early Childhood Education student at Brock University. Her research focus is on the demographics within a classroom, specifically looking into Same-Age vs. Mixed-Age Students within a classroom. Eden is extremely passionate about children and their learning. As the semester comes to an end, Eden prepares to welcome her first child in the upcoming days.
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Georgia is a Registered Early Childhood Educator in Ontario and a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education student at Brock University. She is passionate about play-based learning and creating safe, welcoming environments for children while helping educators better understand and implement meaningful play in the classroom.
Kennedy Altenburg is a fourth-year student at Brock University in the Early Childhood Education Degree program. Her capstone research explores the barriers that prevent educators from continuing a play-based pedagogy beyond Kindergarten. Kennedy is passionate about play-based learning, child development, and the importance of letting kids be kids.
Maya is an Early Childhood Education student at Brock University with a passion for creating inclusive, play-based learning environments. Her work focuses on understanding how care-based practices support children’s development and well-being in early childhood settings.
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Ramandeep Kaur is a final-year student in the B.ECE program at Brock University. Her Capstone research study focused on how sensory play supports emotional regulation in children under the age of twelve. Ramandeep loves children’s development and plans to pursue a master’s degree to teach at the college.
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Sensory play supports emotional regulation in children under twelve years old
Reina El Khatib is a 21 year old student in her final year at Brock University. Reina’s career goal is to attend teacher’s college and become an elementary school teacher. This capstone project was designed by her in hopes of bringing forward the voices of children and how they are part of the classroom in an in depth way.
Samantha is a fourth-year student graduating from the BECE honours degree program at Brock University. She has a diploma in ECE from Algonquin College and is a Registered Early Childhood Educator. Samantha has a passion for learning about early education and sharing her knowledge of schematic play with others.
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How Schematic Play Influences Children’s Linguistic and Cognitive Development
Victoria Valliere is an Early Childhood Educator working in a kindergarten classroom with Niagara Catholic and a BA ECE candidate at Brock University. She is a devoted wife and mother of two who values strong relationships, positive environments, and supporting children’s growth through meaningful, play-based learning experiences.
Risky Play & Child-Led Exploration
Gillian Begin is an undergraduate student in the Faculty of Education at Brock University. Her research explores how early childhood educators support risky outdoor play in early learning settings. She is passionate about fostering children’s independence, confidence, and learning through play and outdoor experiences.
Hanaa Hanifi is a fourth-year Bachelor of Early Childhood Education student at Brock University and a Registered Early Childhood Educator. She works as a supply teacher in independent schools, supporting diverse learners. Her capstone challenges how educators view risky and rough-and-tumble play, advocating for children’s right to a
Kelly Howe is a fourth-year Early Childhood Education student as Brock University. Her Capstone thesis focused on the developmental benefits of risky play and how early childhood educators may support it. While Kelly understands that all types of play are valuable, she is passionate about what specific developmental skills are associated with different types of play. Kelly plans on continuing her studies at Brock University in their teacher education program.
Kiratpal Kaur moved to Canada six and a half years ago. She is currently a supervisor at the YMCA of Northern Alberta. She completed her diploma at Northwestern Polytechnic and is now finishing her bachelor’s degree at Brock University. She lives with her sister and enjoys her work and life in Canada.
Liyan is a fourth-year Early Childhood Education student at Brock University. Her capstone project explored how and what forms of unstructured nature play influence preschoolers’ self-regulation development. Liyan is passionate about nature play and plans to pursue her master’s degree at Brock University to deepen her knowledge and skills in education.
Nikki Deagle-Petrie is a fourth-year Early Childhood Education student at Brock University. Her capstone research explored the socio-ecological factors that influence risky play implementation. She chose this topic to better understand the perceptions that shape children’s opportunities for risky play experiences.
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Understanding the Socio-Ecological Influences on Risky Play in Early Childhood Education
Sara Abbara is a fourth-year Early Childhood Education student at Brock University. Her Capstone research explored how outdoor free play and Outdoor loose parts play support self-regulation in children aged 3-6 years. Sara is so interested in play-based learning, specifically outdoor free play, where children learn through play in natural environments.
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Yamila Zaher is a fourth-year student graduating from the BECE Honours degree program at Brock University. Through her dedication to sharing the importance of children’s early experiences with risky play, she aims to bring greater attention to its positive developmental benefits and inspire educators to support these opportunities in their daily curriculum.
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Risky play and its impact on young childrens emotional development
Social-Emotional Learning & Trauma
Alexa Villeneuve is a Registered Early Childhood Educator who works for the District School Board of Niagara. Her research focuses on educator practices that support preschool and Kindergarten children’s social-emotional competence and aims to translate research into practical strategies for early learning environments.
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Supporting Preschool and Kindergarten Children’s Social-Emotional Competence
Donna is an early childhood educator who really enjoys working with children and building strong, supportive relationships. She loves being outdoors and going on hikes, which has influenced how she sees the value of outdoor play and everyday learning. She aims to create spaces where children feel comfortable, confident, and free to be themselves.
Jarod Maness is a fourth-year student at Brock University in the Early Childhood Education Program. His capstone research project focused on intergenerational trauma caused by residential schools to understand the trauma and how educators can provide support for children in need. Jarod is passionate about helping children thrive.
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Intergenerational Trauma Still in Effect Through Intergenerational Trauma
Nicole Francis is a fourth-year student at Brock University’s Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Honours) program. Her research investigated how Well-being Canada’s policy framework represented trauma-informed practices to support Canadian students experiencing adversity. Nicole’s lived experiences not only inspired her research but also influences her intrinsic endeavours to become a certified educator.
Rienne is a 4th year Bachelors of Early Childhood Education student at Brock University. Her Capstone research project explored the impacts of early childhood neglect on 3-6-year-olds. Rienne can’t wait to fulfill her lifelong goal of becoming a kindergarten teacher.
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Early Childhood Neglect: Its Power to Impact Children’s Emotional Development.
Shania Wardrope is a fourth-year Early Childhood Education student at Brock University. Her capstone project explored how physical affection effects infant holistic development. Shania is passionate about the future of inclusion in education and advocating for students with exceptionalities.