Understanding Child Development

This professional development training provides early childhood educators and professionals working with children with special needs with an overview of child development and the factors that
influence children’s learning, behavior, communication, and social-emotional functioning. Participants will explore developmental milestones, brain development, executive functioning, language development, sensory processing, and developmental disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, and intellectual disabilities. The training emphasizes a whole-child, strengths-based approach to understanding development and recognizing individual differences. Participants will learn to identify developmental strengths and potential areas of concern, consider how relationships, stress, routines, and caregiver functioning may influence development, and recognize when additional screening, referral, or support may be appropriate. Through a  developmental milestone activity and case study, participants will apply their learning to classroom-based situations and identify strategies for supporting children’s participation, development, and success within early childhood and educational settings.