The Childhood Expressions™ Educator Certification is a professional development program designed for dance teachers, early childhood educators, recreation professionals, and children’s program facilitators who want to create meaningful, developmentally appropriate arts-based learning experiences.
Grounded in child development, creative expression, and evidence-informed educational practices, the certification moves beyond teaching activities and lesson plans to help educators understand how young children learn, why creative experiences matter, and how to create environments where every child can thrive.
What makes Childhood Expressions™ unique is its belief that the arts are not simply something children do, they are something children grow through. Through movement, music, visual art, dramatic play, and purposeful teaching practices, participants learn to nurture creativity, confidence, connection, and a lifelong love of learning.
Through a combination of theory, reflection, practical application, and guided teaching experiences, educators develop the mindset, skills, and confidence to become responsive practitioners who create engaging learning environments that support children’s growth both inside and beyond the studio or classroom.
Graduates leave with a unique combination of theory and practice: a deep understanding of child development, a responsive teaching philosophy, and a fully developed arts-based curriculum that brings these principles to life through movement, music, visual art, and dramatic play. Participants gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to create meaningful learning experiences that foster creativity, confidence, connection, and lifelong learning.
Childhood Expressions™ teaches educators how to nurture the whole child through the arts.
Childhood Expressions™ Educator Certification Course
Inaugural Cohort Investment
Regular Tuition: $1,500
Inaugural Cohort Tuition: $995 (limited to the first cohort only)
CDTA Members – receive an additional 5% discount ($945.25)
As we launch the Childhood Expressions™ Certified Educator Program, we are inviting our inaugural Founding Cohort to join us at a special introductory investment. These educators will help shape the future of the program through their feedback and participation while receiving recognition as Founding Childhood Expressions™ Certified Educators.
Become the Educator Children Remember
The Childhood Expressions™ Educator Certification is a comprehensive professional development program that helps educators create meaningful, arts-based learning experiences that support children’s physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and creative development.
Grounded in child development, relationship-based practice, and arts-based learning, the certification equips educators with practical strategies they can confidently apply in classrooms, studios, recreation programs, and community settings.
Our Philosophy
At Childhood Expressions™, we believe children learn best when they feel:
- They belong.
- They are emotionally and physically safe.
- They are engaged through exploration and creativity.
- They have meaningful opportunities to express themselves.
Rather than focusing on isolated activities, we help educators intentionally design experiences that nurture the whole child.
Our philosophy reflects many of the principles found in How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years by bringing Belonging, Well-Being, Engagement, and Expression to life through everyday teaching.
What You’ll Learn
The certification guides educators through a progressive learning journey that strengthens both understanding and practice.
You’ll learn how to
- Understand child development through a whole-child lens.
- Create welcoming, inclusive learning environments.
- Teach through movement, music, storytelling, dramatic play, and visual arts.
- Observe children and adapt experiences to meet diverse needs.
- Lead with confidence, calm, and emotional intelligence.
- Apply the Childhood Expressions™ approach with confidence.
Certification Journey
The program includes seven progressive modules:
Foundations of Childhood Expressions™
Understand the philosophy and child development principles that form the foundation of the program.
The Educator’s Role & the Environment
Learn how relationships, communication, and environment shape children’s learning.
Teaching Through the Arts
Use movement, music, storytelling, dramatic play, and visual arts to create meaningful learning experiences.
Observation, Adaptation & Child-Led Learning
Develop responsive teaching practices that meet children where they are.
Emotional Intelligence & Classroom Leadership
Strengthen your confidence, leadership, and emotional awareness.
Embodying the Childhood Expressions™ Educator
Integrate everything you’ve learned into a consistent teaching philosophy.
Final Certification Assessment
Demonstrate your learning and earn your Childhood Expressions™ Educator Certification.
Who It’s For
The certification is ideal for:
- Registered Early Childhood Educators
- Preschool and Kindergarten Educators
- Dance Teachers
- Music and Movement Instructors
- Recreation Leaders
- Children’s Program Facilitators
- Before and After School Educators
- Homeschool Educators
- Children’s Ministry Leaders
- Anyone passionate about helping children thrive through the arts.
What Makes Childhood Expressions™ Different?
Unlike programs that simply provide activities, Childhood Expressions™ helps educators understand why children learn the way they do.
You’ll learn how to intentionally create experiences that build:
- Confidence
- Creativity
- Communication
- Curiosity
- Connection
- Joyful learning
Every activity has a purpose. Every experience supports development. Every child is seen as capable, creative, and full of potential.
What’s Included
Your certification includes:
- Seven comprehensive online learning modules
- On-demand video lessons
- Downloadable participant workbook
- Lesson planning templates
- Seasonal curriculum
- Developmental reference guides
- Reflection journal
- Practical teaching activities
- Final certification assessment
- Official Childhood Expressions™ Educator Certificate
- Lifetime access to program materials.
Meet the Creators
Childhood Expressions™ was created by Jane Davis Munro and co-created by Lara Munro, whose combined experience in child development, arts education, music, movement, adaptive education, and relationship-based practice has shaped a philosophy that has inspired educators for generations.
Ready to Learn More?
Whether you’re beginning your career or have years of experience, Childhood Expressions™ will help you deepen your understanding of children, strengthen your confidence, and intentionally create learning experiences where every child can flourish.
Self Guided Program