Teacher Talk is a research-based professional learning program developed by The Hanen Centre to support early childhood educators in strengthening the everyday interactions that build children’s language and communication skills. Grounded in the Learning Language and Loving It framework, Teacher Talk was designed by speech-language pathologists, researchers, and early childhood professionals to help educators become more intentional, responsive, and confident in how they interact with children.

When educators understand how to support communication through everyday moments — play, routines, and conversations — children benefit through stronger language, engagement, and learning. These interaction skills don’t just support individual children; they enhance the overall quality of the program.

Teacher Talk isn’t just professional development — it’s a long-term investment in the quality of your practice and the learning environment you create for all current and future children in your care.

Teacher Talk Helps You

-Strengthen educator–child interactions
-Build language-rich environments through everyday moments
-Support children’s communication at all developmental stages
-Increase back-and-forth conversations during play and routines
-Feel more confident and intentional in your interactions

Why Choose Teacher Talk Facilitated by ADSN?

Teacher Talk is a powerful program on its own, but taking it through ADSN makes it especially meaningful for dayhome educators. Here’s why:

Tailored for Dayhomes

While Teacher Talk is designed for early childhood settings broadly, ADSN delivers the program through a dayhome lens. Examples, discussions, and reflections are grounded in real dayhome experiences — including mixed-age groups, small group dynamics, and the unique rhythms of home-based care.

Facilitated by a Dayhome Professional

Danielle Bourdin is a Hanen-certified Teacher Talk facilitator and the Executive Director of ADSN. With lived experience as a dayhome educator and years of supporting providers across Alberta, Danielle delivers the program in a way that is practical, relevant, and deeply connected to the realities of dayhome work.

What Educators Will Learn

Through the Teacher Talk Program, educators will build practical interaction skills they can use immediately in their programs. The learning focuses on how to:

-Be more responsive to children’s cues and interests
-Extend interactions through meaningful back-and-forth conversations
-Use language that supports children at different stages of development
-Strengthen communication during play, routines, and shared activities
-The skills learned through Teacher Talk continue to benefit educators and the children in their care long after the program ends.

Program Delivery

Teacher Talk is delivered live over Zoom in a small-group format that is interactive, reflective, and designed with dayhome realities in mind. Sessions focus on real examples, discussion, and practical application, making it easy for educators to connect learning directly to their everyday practice.

Evening sessions are scheduled to support participation outside of program hours.

Format

Length: 3 Weeks
Schedule: 2.5 hours per week, in the evening
Location: Online via Zoom
Group Size: Maximum 20 educators per cohort

Expectations
Teacher Talk is a live, interactive program that relies on active participation and reflection. To get the most out of the program, participants are expected to:

-Attend all 3 sessions in full
-Come prepared to reflect, share experiences, and engage in discussion
-Keep cameras on whenever possible to support connection and group learning
-Respect the confidentiality and experiences of others in the cohort
-Complete light between-session reflections (no formal homework)

Choosing If Teacher Talk Is Right For You
Teacher Talk is most impactful when participants are engaged, open to reflection, and willing to explore how everyday interactions influence children’s communication and learning.

It is recommended that educators:

-Are comfortable using Zoom and its basic features
-Can participate in group learning and reflective discussion delivered in English
-Have access to reliable internet, a quiet space, and a device with a microphone and webcam

Cost
The cost for this program is $100.