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October 2022
Intentional Teaching – With BLOCKS! (Online)
Tuesday, October 11, from 6:30-8:30 pm Educators who understand the importance of blocks support children in improving their problem solving skills, motor development, and collaborative play all while playing with blocks!! Block play enables children to explore architecture - building unique structures and designing communities. Block learning will also teach children about basic engineering skills, build their attention span and introduce patterns, balance and shapes. This session will explore why we both love having blocks in our classroom and why…
Find out more »Understanding Grief and Loss: Strategies for Early Educators and Families (Online)
Thursday, October 13, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Everyone experiences loss and the accompanying grief. Families are often faced with the loss of a loved one, whether through miscarriage, stillbirth, death of an infant or child, a parent, grandparent, or close friend and not everyone knows what to do or say. This session is designed to provide information and resources so early educators can provide support to families facing what seems to be the overwhelming burden of loss. Emphasis will…
Find out more »Creating a Compassionate Culture: Orientation to Trauma Informed Care (Online)
Tuesday, October 18, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. In this training, participants will learn about the definition of trauma and its systemic impact on the lives of children and adults. Participants will explore the main principles of trauma informed care practices and how these principles can be applied to create a more compassionate culture within organizations. (Trainer: Mary Williams, The Family Conservancy) Age Focus: All Ages Register
Find out more »Infants and Toddlers Learning Environments (In Person)
Wednesday, October 19, from 6:30-8:30 pm How can we really use the environment as the third teacher with infants and toddlers? What are provocations and loose parts and are they even usable with infants and toddlers? What kind of natural materials can we add to the classroom safely? We'll answer the questions and more to see how purposeful organization of the classroom can enhance the learning environment. We'll look at and explore what loose parts and provocations are and how…
Find out more »Intentional Interactions with Toddlers: Parenting through a CLASS Lens (Online)
Thursday, October 20, from 6:30-8:30 pm It is important to make the most of parent / child interactions when you can. In this training we will give a brief overview of the importance of quality interactions in regards to parenting (being outside of the classroom) and the benefits of quality and intentional interactions. Parents and caregivers will learn how to observe and follow a child’s lead, read their cues, foster independence, & reduce behavior challenges.(Trainer: Jenna Bodensteiner, The Family Conservancy)…
Find out more »Strong from the Start (In Person)
Saturday, October 22, from 10:30 am-12:30 pm Strong from the Start is for caregivers of children ages 0-5. This workshop introduces the importance of brain development, and what caregivers can do to support healthy development, especially during and after a crisis. There is also a focus on self-care for adult caregivers. Each participant will receive a free Child Care Resilience Kit, valued at $138.60. (Trainers: Carol Ayres and Jill Solomon, The Family Conservancy) Age Focus: All Ages. (Limited Registration) Register
Find out more »Men Matter! Exploring the Importance of Fathers and Father Figures in Early Care (Online)
Thursday, October 27, from 6:30-8:30 pm The goal of this session is to allow participants the opportunity to explore the importance of a nurturing fatherhood environment for children, mothers, and fathers while children are in care. Through interactive discussion, participants will share current practices, discover benefits of engaging the men in early care, and design strategies all programs can adopt. (Trainer: Gayle Anderson, The Family Conservancy) Age Focus: All Ages. Free training sponsored by Kansas City Public Television. Register
Find out more »Strengthening Business Practices & Leadership in Early Childhood Settings (Online)
Thursday, October 27, from 6:30-8:30 pm How will we grow and improve our business? This class will provide participants strategies to support and enhance business practices in early childcare settings and provide strategies and professional development resources to inform program quality improvement plans. (Trainer: Jeanetta Issa) Free training sponsored by Educare. Age Focus: All Ages Register
Find out more »November 2022
Director Lunch & Learn: Advocating for Play: A Director’s Responsibility (In Person)
Friday, November 4, from 12:00-2:00 pm Administrators and teachers are often under pressure from families to include more structured academic activities in their programs. Educators need to have rich repertoire of practices up their sleeves, and learning through play is only one of them. Play is a powerful way of learning and a child's right, however, it is the one declining in early childhood settings. In this session, we will explore the director's role in helping families and teachers understand…
Find out more »Ready, Set, Go!: Adopting A Wellness Policy in Early Care and Education Programs (In Person)
Saturday, November 5, from 9:30-11:30 am Is the thought of implementing a wellness policy in a childcare setting seem daunting and overwhelming? Putting your wellness policy into action benefits everyone: children, staff and families. By breaking down your wellness policy in smaller pieces and setting short and long term goals, small wins can make substantial changes in your program. (Trainer: Rhonda Erpelding, Harvesters) Age Focus: All Ages Register
Find out more »Having Fun with Nutrition, Food, and Fitness in the Classroom (In Person)
Tuesday, November 8, from 6:30-8:30 pm Expand on your knowledge of incorporating practical knowledge and self-care routines into your daily structure by developing nutritious menus and preparing nutritious food with the children. Learn how incorporating a variety of healthy foods into the daily routine with help children become investigators of their world through taste, texture, smell and other sensory input. Discuss techniques that will make the most of these learning experiences at mealtime. Expand on your knowledge of incorporating perceptual…
Find out more »Intentional Teaching – the Importance of Large Motor Play (Online)
Tuesday, November 8, from 6:30-8:30 pm Kicking balls! Flying kites! Pedaling a tricycle! Large (gross) motor skills - are one set of developmental milestones teachers need to know and understand. In early childhood, it is the development of these muscles that enable the baby to hold his/her head up, sit, crawl and eventually walk, run and skip, These skills are developed as children are encouraged and provided opportunities to learn and practice movements like walking, running, jumping, climbing and balancing.…
Find out more »Understanding and Supporting Speech & Language Delays in the Early Childhood Classroom (Online)
Wednesday, November 16, from 6:30-8:30 pm In this training, teachers will develop an understanding of what speech and language delays are. Teachers will learn the importance of monitoring milestones and early intervention. Teachers will develop an understanding of early intervention services. Teachers will learn strategies for how to best support children with potential speech/language delays in the classroom. Teachers will also learn how to talk to and support parents through a potential speech delay. (Trainer: Telese Pickens, United 4 Children)…
Find out more »Music and Movement – Challenging the Body and the Brain (In Person)
Thursday, November 17, from 6:30-8:30 pm Music and movement can be much more than just a tool used to get the wiggles out. Music and movement is a powerful and highly interactive way to keep children engaged, involved and learning. Using a variety of materials and strategies teachers will be introduced to the ways they can challenge both the brain and body through planning and facilitating movement and music related activities. When the entire body is involved so is the…
Find out more »December 2022
Outside In: Transforming Outside Activities to Inside Learning Experiences (Online)
Thursday, December 1, from 6:30-8:30 pm Participants will explore nature-based activities by bringing the OUTSIDE IN. Using everyday tools and nature’s gifts, early educators will discover ways to expand a child’s imagination with nature and its environment, and how to facilitate interactivity and learning from the outdoors INSIDE! (Trainer: Gayle Anderson, The Family Conservancy) Age Focus: Toddler & PreK Register
Find out more »Coming to Our Senses: Applying Sensory Processing Knowledge in Early Childhood (Online)
Thursday, December 8, from 6:30-8:30 pm Child Care professionals are called to accommodate and support children with a variety of needs. Sensory Processing differences are widely unrecognized, since children are developing their need to self-regulate. Providers can be on the forefront of providing information, resources and supportive services to individuals with sensory processing differences. This course unpacks the concept of Sensory Processing and how to apply this knowledge. (Trainer: Amy Nelson, Emotional Milestones) Age Focus: PreK Register
Find out more »Intentional Teaching – With Dramatic Play! (Online)
Tuesday, December 13, from 6:30-8:30 pm Remember tea parties? Building and defending your fort or castle? Experience and research has shown us that providing opportunity for dramatic play provides children opportunities to role play! Dramatic play encourages knowledge of the community, imagination, self-expression, social skills and an opportunity to practice what they are learning in safe ways. Come join us in learning how to be make the most of the dramatic play areas and opportunities in your classroom. (Trainer: Nancy…
Find out more »Pre-K CLASS Quality Feedback – A Closer Look (Online)
Thursday, December 15, from 6:30-8:30 pm Training session will help participants implement strategies to keep children engaged and learning at a higher level than they would be able to do on their own. Participants will be given practical strategies to implement. (Trainer: Jenna Bodensteiner, The Family Conservancy) Age Focus: PreK Register
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