About Laurie / Creator + Educator Trust + School Adoption Credentials + Services + Advocacy
Laurie Clark, Creator of Growing Memories Audio
Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) | Bereavement Education Advocate | Youth Educator | Trauma-Informed Practitioner
Laurie Clark is a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE), bereavement education advocate, youth educator, and creator of Growing Memories, a musical storytelling resource supporting children, families, educators, and communities through conversations about grief, loss, memory, connection, and emotional wellbeing.
With over 25 years of experience working with children, youth, families, and educators, Laurie’s work is rooted in relationship-based learning, restorative communication, nature connection, trauma-informed approaches, bereavement education, and social-emotional learning (SEL).
Through Growing Memories, Laurie brings together storytelling, music, reflective practices, and circle-based learning to create gentle opportunities for children to explore feelings, navigate change, honour memories, and develop emotional literacy.
Her work is guided by the belief that children deserve safe, compassionate spaces where their voices are heard, their experiences are respected, and difficult conversations about grief and loss can be approached with care.
Professional Background
Youth Work & Early Childhood Education
1998–Present
Laurie’s professional journey has focused on supporting children and youth through meaningful relationships, creative expression, outdoor learning, and community connection.
Her practice combines child-centred education with nature-based learning, restorative communication, and compassionate approaches to supporting emotional wellbeing.
Education & Professional Certifications
Early Childhood Education Diploma (RECE)
Algonquin College, Ottawa, Canada (2012)
Professional training in child development, responsive caregiving, play-based learning, relationships, and creating supportive learning environments for children.
Specialized Bereavement & Trauma-Informed Learning
In addition to her professional certifications, Laurie has completed specialized learning focused on childhood grief, school-based bereavement support, and trauma-informed education.
Somatic EMDR Therapy Certification
The Embody Lab (2023)
Training in body-based approaches supporting emotional awareness, nervous system regulation, and trauma-informed practices.
Bereavement Facilitation Training
Center for Loss & Life Transition – Dr. Alan Wolfelt (2021/2022)
Professional learning in grief education, compassionate bereavement support (online training throughout covid), and understanding the experiences of individuals and families navigating loss.
Trauma-Informed Care Training
Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute (2021)
Training focused on trauma awareness, supportive responses, emotional safety, and creating environments that foster resilience and connection.
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
Talk Tools Training (2022)
Training focused on recognizing distress, offering supportive intervention, and connecting individuals with appropriate resources
Palliative Care & Hospice Training
Lanark County Home Support (2018)
Education in compassionate care approaches, end-of-life awareness, and supporting individuals and families experiencing illness, dying, and loss.
Professional Experience
Nature Connection & Restorative Communication Circles with Youth
2003–Present
Laurie has facilitated nature-based learning experiences and restorative communication circles supporting children and youth in developing:
-emotional literacy
-empathy and listening skills
-confidence in expressing their voices
-respectful communication
-community connection
Restorative circles offer children opportunities to communicate safely, listen deeply, and participate in meaningful conversations within supportive communities.
Montessori Early Childhood Education & TESL
2010–2011
Podocarpus National Park, Loja, Ecuador
Worked within a Montessori educational setting supporting children’s learning through child-centred education, creativity, language development, and connection with the natural environment.
Lanark Highlands Forest Program Director
2015–2020
Directed outdoor education programming focused on:
-nature connection
-environmental learning
-youth leadership
-experiential education
-community relationships
Outdoor Education Facilitator
2018–2019
Upper Canada District School Board – Drummond Public School
The Garden as the Outdoor Elementary School Classroom (K-8)
Facilitated nature connection and outdoor education experiences integrating:
eco-literacy
sensory awareness
inquiry-based learning
hands-on exploration
connection to place
Lecturer – Early Childhood Education Program
2018 & 2022
Algonquin College
Facilitated learning experiences for Early Childhood Education students exploring:
sensory awareness
eco-literacy
outdoor classroom practices
nature-based learning approaches
Rediscovery Program – Banff National Park
1993–1999
Participated in cultural outdoor education programming focused on:
experiential learning
environmental awareness
connection to place
community-based education
Shadowed indigenous elders in the Rocky Mountain Back-Country
Bereavement & Grief Consultation Services
In-Person & Online
Individual & Group Work
Laurie provides compassionate companionship, grief education and consultation for children, families, educators, and organizations.
Services Include:
Bespoke Bereavement Sessions
Individual and group support tailored to the needs of schools, families, and communities.
Bereavement Companionship Circles
Virtual sessions for educators exploring grief literacy, supportive responses, and school-based bereavement awareness.
Eco-Literacy & Circle-based Education
Nature connection programs supporting youth through reflection, creativity, memory, and connection with the natural world.
Somatic Grief Work
Body-based approaches supporting emotional awareness, regulation, and compassionate exploration.
Somatic Exploration & Nature Connection Workshops
Guided experiential sessions combining nature connection, reflection, and embodied awareness.
Online Journaling Sessions
Reflective email prompts supporting personal exploration, memory, and emotional awareness.
Advocacy
Bereavement Education in Schools
Laurie advocates for increased awareness and support for children experiencing grief and bereavement within educational settings.
Her work focuses on:
Normalizing conversations about death and dying
Supporting educators with grief-informed tools
Creating emotionally safe spaces for children
Integrating bereavement awareness into social-emotional learning
Encouraging restorative communication practices
Supporting compassionate school communities
Why Trust Growing Memories?
Growing Memories is created from the integration of:
✓ Over 25 years of experience in early childhood education and youth work
✓ Registered Early Childhood Educator training
✓ Bereavement facilitation and grief education
✓ Trauma-informed professional learning
✓ Somatic approaches to emotional awareness
✓ Restorative communication circles
✓ Nature connection and eco-literacy
✓ Music, storytelling, and creative expression
Growing Memories provides educators and caregivers with a gentle, meaningful resource to support children’s emotional literacy, connection, memory-making, and understanding of loss.
Growing Memories is an educational resource, not a therapy program. It is designed to complement school wellbeing initiatives and support compassionate conversations guided by caring adults.
Growing Memories School Resource
Growing Memories supports educators seeking practical tools for:
Social-emotional learning (SEL)
Bereavement awareness
Emotional literacy
Restorative circle learning
Nature connection
Memory and meaning-making activities
Through music, storytelling, and guided reflection, Growing Memories helps create spaces
where children feel heard, supported, and connected.
