Presentations

Check out some of the discussions facilitated and/or hosted by member of the ECCRC team:

McIsaac, J-L & Fakhari, N. Supporting Newcomer Children in Canada: Fostering Social, Emotional, and Cultural Wellbeing. Atkinson Centre for Society and Child Development, Toronto. Invited Workshop. May 2025.

Pimentel M., Hamilton-Hinch B., Watson C, McIsaac JLM, West J, Shortte M, Sexton K, Fraser T, Briscome A, Johnson K, Keener T. Applying Africentric Principles and Pedagogy in Early Learning. Inter-University Research Network, Wolfville, NS. May 2025.

McIsaac JLD. Expanding Numeracy and Literacy Learning through Play in School-based Environments: A Presentation and Discussion for Pre-primary Leads. Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. May 2025.

McIsaac, J-L & Fakhari, N. Supporting Newcomer Children in Canada: Fostering Social, Emotional, and Cultural Wellbeing. Atkinson Centre for Society and Child Development, Toronto. May 2025.

McIsaac JLD, McLean C, LeBlanc LA. Expanding Numeracy and Literacy Learning through Play in School-based Environments: A Presentation and Discussion for EIPS staff. Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. March 2025.

McIsaac, J.L., Shaffner, E., Fakhari, N., Osei-Essah, J., Moniz, T., & Rossiter, M. D. Exploring the parenting social media landscape for children’s social and emotional health: An environmental scan. National Association for the Education of Young Children, Annual Conference, Anaheim, California, USA. November 2024.

Fakhari, N., Osei-Essah, J., Shaffner, E., Moniz, T., Rossiter, M. D., & McIsaac, J.L. Mobilizing social media for early social-emotional health with diverse family voices. Maritime SPOR Support Unit Summit, Halifax, Nova Scotia. October 2024.

Applying Africentric principles into practice. Presentation to the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, October 2024.

McIsaac, JLD. Panel Presentation, Policy Research Informing Best Practice (Nova Scotia). Putting the Public into Early Learning and Child Care. Symposium by the Atkinson Centre for Society and Child Development Putting the Public into Early Learning and Child Care, Toronto, ON. December 2023.

McIsaac, JLD., Piers, J., McLean, C. The Early Years For Everyone: Lessons from Nova Scotia. Jimmy Pratt Foundation, St. John’s NL. November 2023.

Hill, T. G., McIsaac, JLD., Janus, M., De-Lawrence, L., Rossiter, M. D., & Turner, J. Identifying the relative importance of factors that shaped well-being for individuals and families during the pandemic at the child, parent, and family level in Maritime households. International Society for Quality of Life Studies, Rotterdam, Netherlands, August 2023.

McIsaac JLD., Pimentel M., Hamilton-Hinch B., Watson C., Stirling-Cameron E., Hickens N. Amplifying the Voices of Black Families and Educators in Nova Scotia: Challenging Anti-Black Racism in Early Childhood Environments. IURN Symposium Promising Practices: Voices of Equity, Wolfville, NS. May 2023.

Rossiter MD, Caldwell S, Campbell JE, Dickson E, Young M, McIsaac JL. Responsive Feeding practices in Early Learning and Child Care Environments: Description of a Modified Assessment Framework. Dietitians of Canada National Conference, Canadian Foundation of Dietetic Research. Montreal (QC), May 2023.

McIsaac, JLD. Equity in the classroom: Peers, educators, families. Plenary presentation, 19th Annual Summer Institute on Early Childhood Development, Toronto, ON, May 2023.

Who’s in and who is out: Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care. Panel presentation, 19th Annual Summer Institute on Early Childhood Development, Toronto, ON, May 2023.

McIsaac JLD, Monaghan P, Ridgewell S. Nova Scotia’s Systems Approach: An Evolution of Theory of Change Development. National Training Institute on Effective Practices: Addressing Challenging Behavior, Tampa Bay (FL), April 2023

Fakhari, N., McIsaac, J.-L., Spencer, R.. Child Immigrant Post-Migration Mental Health: A Qualitative Inquiry into Caregivers’ Perspectives. Dalhousie Crossroads Conference, Halifax. March 2023.

Fakhari, N., Pimentel, M., & McIsaac, J.-L.. Mobilizing Innovative Models in Early Childhood Education and Care for Newcomer Families and Children. Metropolis Conference, Ottawa, March 2023

McIsaac, JLD. Supporting Numeracy and Literacy in Play-Based Early Learning Programs. Muskoka Early Years Workshop Series. January 2023. Virtual.

McIsaac JLD, McLean, C. Supporting Numeracy and Literacy in Play-Based Early Learning Programs. Regional Directors; Education, Innovation, Programs, and Services; Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. November 2022.

McIsaac, JLD., Watson, C., Pimentel, M. Outdoor & Risky Play for African Nova Scotian Children: The Impacts of Anti-Black Racism. Child Safety Link Speaker Series. November 2022.

Pimentel, M., Watson, C. Amplifying the voices of Black families and educators in Nova Scotia: Meeting with Halifax Mayor Mike Savage, August 2022.

McIsaac JLD, Hickens, N. Amplifying the Voices of Black Families and Educators: Challenging Anti-Black Racism in Early Childhood Environments. Early Childhood Collaborative Research Centre & On These Shoulders Research Collaborative. July 2022.

Fakhari, N. Looking Through the Lens of Newcomer Families Poster Presentation. Canadian Association for Health Services and Policy Research Virtual Conference. June 2022.

Humble A, McIsaac JLD. Nova Scotia Families with Young Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic Shutdown: Mothers’ Experiences of Social Support via Household Bubbles. Canadian Society for the Study of Education, Virtual CSSE Annual Congress, May 2022.

Fakhari N, Brigham S, Harkins MJ, Mandrona A, McLean C, Reddington S, Spencer B, Stirling Cameron E, McIsaac JLD. Looking through the lens of newcomer families. Metropolis Conference, Vancouver BC, March 2022.

McIsaac, JLD. Research Over Coffee: A Paradigm Shift: Early Learning and Child Care in Nova Scotia. Webinar hosted by Research Nova Scotia, March 2022.

McIsaac, JLD. Investments in child poverty through a focus on early childhood development. Nova Scotia cross-government table on child poverty. February 2022.

McIsaac, JLD. Scene Setting Remarks for the Best Brains Exchange: Supporting the Healthy Development of Young Children Facing Health Equity Barriers in Communities in the COVID-19 Era and Beyond, Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Public Health Agency of Canada, January 2022

Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Announcement. Nova Scotia Government, January 2022. Invited Remarks.

McIsaac, JLD., Fakhari, N. Looking through the lens of newcomer families. Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration, Halifax NS. November 2021 and January 2022.

McIsaac, JLD. Early Learning and Child Care Announcement. Federal-provincial bilateral agreement, July 2021. Invited Remarks.

McIsaac JLD, Lamptey D, Harley J, MacQuarrie M, Cummings R, Joan Turner. Exploring changes in family activities, routines and experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Maritime Study. Canadian Public Health Association, COVID-19 and Public Health Virtual Forum, April 2021.

Turner J, McIsaac JLD, Lamptey D, Harley J, MacQuarrie M, Cummings R.  Family and child loss of supports: Adjustment to the early days of the global pandemic. Society for Research in Child Development, Virtual Biennial Meeting, April 2021.

McIsaac, JLD., Turner, J. Initial Changes to Family Activities, Routines and Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Maritime Study. Mount Saint Vincent University’s Interdisciplinary Lifespan Developmental Colloquium, March 2021.

Joshi N, Cawley J, Griffin J, Hamilton-Hinch BA, Kirk SFL, Kolen A, Maher P, McIsaac JLD, Rainham D, Rehman L, Spencer R, Stevens D, Truong S, Turner J, Watson C, Stone N. Making Childhood Play Great Again Symposium: PLEY-School: Evaluation of an early-elementary school-based outdoor loose parts intervention for its impact on the health of children. International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, Virtual conference, June 2020.

McIsaac, JLD. Growing Up: Early Childhood Education in Nova Scotia. Research Nova Scotia Podcast, June 2020.

Naylor PJ, Olstad DL, Prowse RJL, Tomlin D, Kirk SFL, McIsaac JLD, Mâsse LC, Caswell S, Hanning RM, Milford T, Raine K. Eat, Play, Live: A RCT embedded within a natural experiment to assess the impact of nutrition policy and capacity building on food environments in recreation and sport facilities. International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Prague, Czech Republic. June 2019.

McIsaac JLD, McLean C, Turner J, Kirk SFL. Exploring healthy eating practices in universal school-based early childhood programs in Nova Scotia, Canada. International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Prague, Czech Republic. June 2019.

MacQuarrie M, McIsaac JLD, Kirk SFL, Cawley J, Rehman L, Stone M. What are preschool parents’ perceptions regarding active outdoor and risky play. International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Prague, Czech Republic. June 2019.

Branje K, Cawley J, McIsaac JLD, Dithurbide, L, Kirk SFL, Stone M. The impact of an outdoor loose parts intervention on the physical competence of Nova Scotian preschoolers. International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Prague, Czech Republic. June 2019.

McIsaac JLD. Building policy-relevant research to support child well-being in Nova Scotia Bridging the Gap: Between Knowledge and Practice to Support Children, Youth and Families. Mount Saint Vincent University Research Day. May 2019.

Spencer R, McIsaac JLD, Stewart M, Brushett S, Number M, Rehman L, Kirk SFL. Engaging Youth in Complex Health and Policy Issues, Through Photovoice. International Union for Health Promotion and Education, World Conference on Health Promotion, Rotorua, Aotearoa New Zealand, April 2019.

Spencer R, McIsaac JLD, Stewart M, Brushett S, Kirk SFL. Food in Focus: Youth Exploring Food in Schools. International Union for Health Promotion and Education, World Conference on Health Promotion, April 2019, Rotorua, Aotearoa New Zealand.

McIsaac JLD, Brenna Richard, MACYS(c). Process of building and nurturing collaborative networks to support evidence-based early childhood policies, programs, and practices. Early Childhood Collaborative Research Centre. March, 2019, Halifax, NS.

McIsaac JLD, Brown A. Process of building and nurturing collaborative networks to support evidence-based early childhood policies, programs, and practices. Vanier Institute of the Family Families in Canada Conference, Halifax Satellite Session, March 2019, Halifax NS.

McIsaac, JLD. Building policy-relevant research to support child well-being in Nova Scotia. Mount Saint Vincent University’s Interdisciplinary Lifespan Developmental Colloquium, November 2018.

McIsaac JLD, Spencer R, Stewart M, Brushett S, Kirk SFL. Applying a complex systems lens to school food environments in Nova Scotia. Healthy Living, Healthy Life, Sept 2018, Halifax NS.

Spencer R, McIsaac JLD, Stewart M, Brushett S, Kirk SFL. Food in focus: Youth exploring food in schools. Healthy Living, Healthy Life, Sept 2018, Halifax NS

McIsaac JLD, Melanson S. How Demonstration Projects Inform Policy and Practice. Early Years Centres and the Pre-primary Program. The 15th Annual Summer Institute on Early Childhood Development, June 2018, Toronto ON.

McIsaac JLD, Spencer R, Stewart M, Brushett S, Kirk SFL. Applying a complex systems lens to school food environments in Nova Scotia. Canadian Public Health Association Annual Conference, May 2018, Montreal QC.

McIsaac JLD, Munroe E, Hughes J. Redressing the Achievement Gap through Early Social Emotional Learning: Building a Foundation with Early Childhood Educators in a Professional Learning Community. Canadian Public Health Association Annual Conference, May 2018, Montreal QC.

Munroe E, Hughes J, McIsaac JLD. Redressing the Achievement Gap through Early Social Emotional Learning: Building a Foundation with Early Childhood Educators in a Professional Learning Community. Inter-University Research Network Symposium, May 2018, Truro NS.

McIsaac JLD, Penney TL, Storey K, Sigfridson L, Cunningham J, Kuhle S, Kirk SFL. Integrated knowledge translation in school-based population health intervention research. 10th Annual Conference on the Science of Dissemination and Implementation. December 2017, Washington DC, USA.

McIsaac JLD, Warner G, Lawrence L, Warner G, Urquhart R, Price S, Gahagan J, McNally M, Jackson L. The application of implementation science theories for population health: A critical interpretive synthesis. 10th Annual Conference on the Science of Dissemination and Implementation. December 2017, Washington DC, USA.

Kirk SFL, McIsaac JLD, McCuaig K, Poon B, Bertrand J. Learning as we grow: Comparing approaches to creating and implementing integrated children’s centres across Canada. Canadian Public Health Association Annual Conference, June 2017, Halifax NS.

Warner G, McIsaac JLD, Urquhart R, Lawrence L, Meisner B, Burns R. Applying Implementation Science Frameworks to Public Health Research. Canadian Public Health Association Annual Conference, June 2017, Halifax NS.

McIsaac JLD, Penney TL, Storey K, Sigfridson L, Cunningham J, Kuhle S, Kirk SFL Examining ‘Integrated Knowledge Translation’ in a school-based population health intervention research project. Canadian Public Health Association Annual Conference, June 2017, Halifax NS.

McIsaac JLD, Spencer R, Meisner K, Kontak, Kirk SFL. Factors influencing implementation of school food and nutrition policies: A scoping review. Canadian Public Health Association Annual Conference, June 2017, Halifax NS.

Raine K, Naylor PJ, Kirk SFL, Hanning R, Masse LC, McIsaac JL, Olstad D, Tomlin D, Prowse R, Caswell S, Jarvis S. “Policy matters: Exploring the influence of provincial nutrition guidelines on the food environment in publicly funded recreation and sport facilities”. International Society on Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity Conference, Victoria, Canada. June 2017.

Naylor, PJ, Tomlin, D, Prowse, R, Raine, K, Kirk, S, Masse, L, Ostad, D, McIssac, JL, Hanning, R, & Caswell, S. “Recreation and sports facility food environments: current and potential contributions to the health of children and youth”. International Society on Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity Conference, Victoria, Canada. June 2017.

Spencer R, McIsaac JLD, Meisner K, Kontak, Kirk SFL. Factors influencing implementation of school food and nutrition policies: A scoping review. World Congress on Public Health, April 2017, Melbourne, Australia.

Spencer R, McIsaac JLD, Kirk SFL. Building on Successes and Learning from Challenges of the NS Food and Nutrition Policy. World Congress on Public Health, April 2017, Melbourne, Australia.

McIsaac JLD, Heath S, Turner, J, Kelly E, Melanson S, Kirk SFL. Learning as we grow: Supporting children and families during the early years in Nova Scotia. Canadian Public Health Association Annual Conference, June 2016, Toronto ON.

Turner J, Melanson S, Heath S, McIsaac JLM, Kirk SFL. Nova Scotia Early Years Centre Model.Mental Health in the Early Years Conference: Social Emotion Wellness from the Start. October 2015, Halifax NS.

Knowledge mobilization community events, workshops, virtual materials

Early childhood sector online workshop. Applying Africentric Principles and Pedagogy in Early Learning. February 2025.

Community Event: Applying Africentric Principles and Pedagogy in Early Learning, Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute, Halifax NS. November 2024.

Early childhood sector in-person workshop. Recipes for Success: Responsive Feeding and Diverse Menu Planning in Child Care Settings. Offered through the Association of Early Childhood Educators Nova Scotia. November 2024.

Promoting Equity in Early Childhood: A Storytelling Series to Build Atlantic Connections. Sessions included an emphasis on newcomer early childhood educators, and programs that support educators, families, and children. 2024.

Promoting Equity in Early Childhood: A Storytelling Series to Build Atlantic Connections. Sessions included an emphasis on culturally responsive programming, anti-oppression, and accessibility and inclusion.  2023.

Fakhari, N., Pimentel, M., & McIsaac, J.-L. D. (Directors). Mobilizing Innovative Models in Early Childhood Education and Care for Newcomer Families and Children: A Pan-Canadian Environmental Scan. February 2023.

Bringing Up Baby Podcast Childcare in Nova Scotia with Jessie-Lee McIsaac. January 2023.

Amplifying the Voices of Black Families and Educators. Presentation to the sector on research results. August 2022.

Looking through the lens of newcomer families. Public photo exhibit at Emera Oval, Museum of Industry, Halifax Public Library, Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia and Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. Summary of work. 2022.

Virtual Seminar Series: Data Systems for Early Childhood Development in Atlantic Canada: A Collective Discussion to Share Current Progress and Explore Aspirations for the Future. March – June 2021.

Virtual Seminar Series: Expanding Connections to Support Early Childhood Development in Nova Scotia. February – April.

Play Persuasion: Convincing the Unconvinced [Video]. November 2019.

Early Intervention for Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder [Video]. October 2019.

Supporting Social & Emotional Development [Video]. September 2019.

Responsive Feeding Environments in the Early Years [Video]. June 2019.