Putting children first: Early Childhood Studies students experience child welfare in action at the courthouse

Children are some of the most vulnerable members of our society, and it takes a strong advocate to amplify their voices and ensure that their voices are central in all the work they do. The University of Guelph-Humber’s (U of GH) Early Childhood Studies (ECS) program prepares students for this important role, whatever form it may take, including through exposure to working in law.  

To broaden students’ horizons when it comes to future careers working with children, the ECS program introduced a new course this Winter 2025 semester called “Children’s Rights, Law, and Policy” that was taught by lawyers with experience in children’s welfare cases. The course focuses on the legal aspect of fighting for the wellbeing of children. Students enrolled in the course had a very special opportunity this semester – taking a field trip to visit the A. Grenville & William Davis Courthouse in Brampton, Ont., where they met numerous legal professionals at work and witnessed a real Children’s Aid Society case (usually not open to the public).   

 “The trip truly highlighted for the students the risks and dangers that children face. We often focus on the positive aspects, such as healthy growth, nurturing, and offering wonderful opportunities for children. However, there’s also a significant negative side where things don’t always go well, and unfortunately, bad things can happen to children,” ECS Associate Head Amina Yousaf stated. 

During the excursion, students were able to connect the theories they learned in the classroom to practical, real-world situations as the group toured the courthouse. 

They also met a judge, a lawyer, a clerk, and a mediator, all of whom spoke with the students and answered questions about potential career paths, highlighting the many ways one can work to protect children within the legal system beyond becoming a lawyer. Justice Sonia Khemani, who presided over a Children’s Aid Society case during the visit, was a former children’s lawyer as well, which gave students additional perspectives (and coincidentally, her sister is a U of GH ECS graduate, too).  

“It was very inspiring,” ECS student Jacquie Innes said, who was on the field trip. “This trip definitely opened my eyes to a lot more out there that you can do with this degree… To see the law side of [working with children] was very interesting because I'm so used to seeing the educational advocacy that we do for kids.” 

When observing the Children’s Aid Society case, Yousaf noted that the subject matter was especially heavy as these professionals fought for children’s safety and wellbeing. She said that Justice Khemani emphasized the importance of tending to your mental health when working with difficult subject matter involving children, as it can be distressing to hear about.   

“My biggest educational takeaway is there's lots of courage and bravery [needed in these roles] because when you're working with these cases, there's a lot of sensitive information you're dealing with,” ECS student and field trip participant Nandita Sarin said, who added this trip gave her a deeper appreciation for Canada’s justice system and those who work in it. “It is important to take care of your mental health as well while dealing with these difficult challenges, because personally, some of the cases we observed were emotionally draining.” 

The field trip also reinforced to ECS students the importance and the value of children’s voices, and to understand the intersection between children and the legal system. Usually, when children are heard in court cases, adults often doubt their reliability. Yousaf emphasized that it’s important to consider giving children a voice in decisions that affect their lives. 

As an educator and a leader in early childhood studies, she explained that this trip impacted her as well, reinforcing the importance of caring for children and the role educators play in their lives.  

“We really need that love, support, and care to nurture them.  If we neglect to advocate for children and their needs and fail to amplify their voices, it forces us to reflect on our purpose,” Yousaf added. 

The trip also inspired students to think about their future roles working with children. Innes said while she’s interested in pursuing special education, she found seeing the legal side of working with children to be fascinating and rewarding. As for Sarin, while she aspires to become a teacher, the trip has sparked possible interest in child advocacy work, too.  

The Children’s Rights, Law, and Policy course will run again in Winter 2026.