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TOYBOX at WestCAST 2026!

TOYBOX Team Members Present at The University of Winnipeg's Faculty of Education Annual Conference

February 18-20, 2026

Written by Sheri-Lynn Skwarchuk



Wow, what a week! The WESTCAST student educator national conference was held in Winnipeg from 18-20 February, 2026. TOYBOX was featured in 10 student-led, faculty and community supported peer-reviewed early learning presentations. This time, the audience learned about TOYBOX from the perspective of our students. There was so much content diversity and hard work, and I am so incredibly proud of our student team. Even the mascots were curious to attend…and you will notice that Litty (new yellow mascot) just arrived from Toronto to share in the fun.


The presentations were videotaped and can be viewed below. Presentations (in order of date/time presented) with topic content highlighted include:

Mascots, Video Clips and Jingles, Oh My! Considerations for marketing the TOYBOX early learning project. (Lyn Dalit)

Behind the Scenes of the TOYBOX Early Intervention Project: An archival perspective. (James Lesyk)

Preschool wellness fairs as Low Barrier Pathways to Early Identification and Family Engagement. (Callie Kjarsgaard)

Artistic collaboration within the TOYBOX Learning and Wellness Project. (Herlinda Dalayoan & Brian Guervarra)

Learning ways to support climate change knowledge within the TOYBOX intervention project. (Wynonna Mendoza)

From play to preparedness: Aligning early childhood pedagogy with school readiness. (Nerissa Rieu & Camryn Kowalchuk)

Learn together, play together everyday! Inclusive considerations for the TOYBOX Early Learning Project to support learning through play. (Yeong Shin)

Nurturing emotional growth together in early childhood. (Camryn Kowalchuk & Nerissa Rieu)

MET high school involvement in supporting the TOYBOX early intervention project. (Iman Javaid)


Thank you especially to the presenters, the audience and the community members who came out to support our TOYBOX learning processes. It was amazing to see how team members supported each other-attending practice runs and providing feedback, cheering each other on during presentations, and sharing conference learnings together at break times. Such incredible individuals and such an incredible team!


Additionally, the WESTCAST conference helped me to connect with early childhood colleagues in the West Indies. It was the first time that WESTCAST included conference presentations from the Developmental Studies department, connecting early childhood education and supporting the theme “Together We Grow.” Thanks to Wayne Davies, Will Burton and Michael Holden for all of their hard work with the conference.


 
 
 

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