The Center is pleased to offer this valuable “in-time” resource to help you select high-quality training opportunities that align with your professional development goals.
Search the listings below to find:
- in-person workshop sessions facilitated by local trainers
- online PD modules developed by national organizations, such as the Office of Head Start, NAEYC, and Better Kid Care
If an online PD session does not include a certificate of completion and you want documentation for your records, you can submit a Training Verification Form to the Center. All of the opportunities listed are approved by the Center to meet state child care licensing requirements.
The Center updates these listings monthly—check back regularly to see the latest entries!
Creating IPDPs with Your Staff: It Can be Fun!
Individualized Professional Development Plans (IPDPs) are written plans that are designed to help individuals develop and continue their professional growth. The process of developing and carrying these out plans can seem like a daunting task, not only for a busy child care center director but for the teachers as well. However, IPDPs are important because they guide professional growth and help teachers reflect on how that growth changes over time in meaningful ways. Attend this workshop and learn about the 4-step process of developing IPDPs that will actually help improve quality for children and make portions of your job easier!
| Organization | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Education Consultant | Tracy Cheney, M. Ed | tlcheney2@gmail.com |
Mindful Teachers/Mindful Children Part 2: The Art of Teaching Mindfulness to Young Children to Help with Social/Emotional Skills
This is a continuation of the first Mindfulness Workshop, where participants will be given the opportunity to further explore mindfulness for both themelves personally, as well as professionally in the classroom.
Mindfulness reconnects us to our five senses, bringing us into a moment-by-moment awareness of ourselves and our surroundings through breathing exercises, visualization activities, and learning how to focus on learning opportunities, such as Circle Time, Small Group Time/Learning Centers, and Large Group Time. Research shows that mindfulness helps adults and children be more attentive, less anxious, and better able to handle their emotions and self-regulation. As children build and strengthen these skills, they become capable of exhibiting empathy, compassion, patience and acquire better emotional and social skills.
| Organization | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Consultant | Tracy Cheney, M. Ed. | tlcheney2@gmail.com |
Disciplining Children Positively by Preventing Challenging Behaviors
This training explores the four “P’s” of positive discipline: (1) a positive attitude about children and behaviors, (2) providing supports, (3) being proactive, and (4) preventing concerns before they occur. Participants learn specific strategies they can use to prevent and address challenging behaviors and make improvements in early childhood and school-age programs.
| Organization | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Education Consultant | Tracy Cheney, M. Ed. | tlcheney2@gmail.com |
The Toxic Impact of Stress on a Child’s Brain and Body: What Can We Do in Our Daily Practice?
While stress is a normal (and actually, necessary) part of life, high levels of chronic stress factors can have extremely negative impacts on a child’s brain and body. This workshop will focus on the ways that stress impacts young children and offer strategies about how to combat this impact. Some of these strategies include creating and sustaining supportive relationships, a responsive environment, and mindfulness techniques.
| Organization | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Education Consultant | Tracy Cheney, M. Ed. | tlcheney2@gmail.com |
The Impact of Emotions in the Classroom — Emotional Intelligence De-Mystified
This workshop will focus on how a teacher’s emotions can have a significant impact on the overall classroom environment. Participants will gain an understanding of the five skills related to emotional intelligence as well as how they can create and sustain an emotionally safe classroom for their children.
| Organization | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Education Consultant | Tracy Cheney | tlcheney2@gmail.com |
Safe Spaces and Places to Grow and Learn
This course prepares early childhood teachers to create and maintain a safe environment for young children. The focus will be on risk factors for injury as they relate to stages of development, strategies to prevent injury, and active supervision. Information will be provided for participants to access rules and regulations, national standards, safety checklists, product recalls, and more. The safety of children is the number one mission of early childhood organizations and it is the first principle of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment (P-1.1). Early childhood teachers have a tremendous responsibility to keep the children in their care safe while they provide them with rich and engaging opportunities for learning. The principles discussed and the strategies described will help teachers implement injury prevention practices that meet the needs of the individual children in their care. This course provides training suitable for teachers working within early childhood education (infancy–kindergarten).
| Organization | Registration Link | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality Assist, Inc. | http://www.quorumlearning.com | 404-325-2225 | Help@QuorumLearning.com |
Circle Time: It’s More than Calendar and Weather!
A “good” Circle Time can set the tone for an early learning program’s day, as it can set the stage for learning, offers the children opportunities for sharing and listening, and enables children to experience many content areas within a supportive group environment. When not done well, Circle Time can be an ineffective, inefficient time of the day because a teacher may have unrealistic expectations of the children.
| Organization | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Education Consultant | Tracy Cheney | tlcheney2@gmail.com |
No Bullies Here — Preventing Bullying Behavior in Early Childhood Settings
As early childhood teachers, we have the capability to teach children the appropriate social skills that will prevent bullying from occurring. This training will examine the four characteristics of bullying and will introduce some strategies to prevent bullying behaviors from further developing before they become a problem.
| Organization | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Education Consultant | Tracy Cheney, M. Ed. | tlcheney2@gmail.com |
The Assessment Circle
Curriculum is like a road map = it helps you get where you want to go. Assessment is what fuels that journey. Attend this two-part series to learn how curriculum and assessment go hand in hand, how to implement assessment techniques as a process of documenting and evaluating growth and development, and how to effectively communicate with parents regarding assessment.
| Organization | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Education Consultant | Tracy Cheney | tlcheney2@gmail.com |
Five Hour Series – Block Play: Hands on Experiences!
This workshop training series focuses on fostering an understanding of how children learn best through hands-on experiencing and how block play is an ideal way to promote cognitive development in preschoolers. Participants will learn about the developmental stages of block play; discuss the value of block play; discuss linkages to STEM and Language and Literacy Skills. Participants will discuss strategies for being effective facilitators for optimal learning in the block play arena.
| Organization | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Consultant | Katherine M. Begin, MA | beginhome@aol.com |
Fostering Healthy Gender Development in Early Childhood
As our understanding of gender evolves, participants will engage in a research-based conversation about what gender is, how gender develops throughout early childhood, and what best practice around gender inclusivity looks like.
| Organization | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Consultant | Jennifer Flis | Flis.jennifer@gmail.com |
Active Bodies, Active Minds: Incorporating Nutrition and Physical Activity into Each Day
This training explores the links between nutrition, physical activity, and children’s health and well-being. Participants learn about and practice fun, educational activities they can incorporate into their classroom schedules and environments to promote wellness among children.
| Organization | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Education Consultant | Tracy Cheney, M. Ed. | tlcheney2@gmail.com |
Child Development 101 – What’s “Typical,” What’s Not? Regarding Social-Emotional Development
Social and emotional milestones are often more challenging to understand than stages of physical development. Research shows that social skills and emotional development (reflected in the ability to pay attention, make transitions from one activity to another, and cooperate with others) are a very important part of school readiness.
| Organization | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Education Consultant | Tracy Cheney, M. Ed. | tlcheney2@gmail.com |
The Reflective Teacher: Examining Beliefs, Impacting Practice
Rediscover your passion for teaching! Spend some time thinking about your beliefs regarding teaching and learning and about whether you are “walking your talk.” The reflective strategies in this course provide an introduction to reflective practice as well as an opportunity to define one’s own philosophy of teaching. This course provides training suitable for individuals working within a learning environment designed for students from infancy to kindergarten.
| Organization | Registration Link | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality Assist, Inc. | http://www.quorumlearning.com | 404-325-2225 | Help@QuorumLearning.com |
From Food to Physical Activity
Participants will explore the importance of healthy eating, proper nutrition, and physical activity in the early childhood setting. The strategies for minimizing the development of childhood obesity issues will be identified. In addition, the topics of responding to and accommodating food allergies in young children will be addressed. This course will meet the new Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) training requirements for providers and teachers.
| Organization | Registration Link | |
|---|---|---|
| Quality Assist, Inc. | http://www.quorumlearning.com | Help@QuorumLearning.com |
Waves of Reflection: Building the Foundation for Becoming an Anti-Bias Educator
This series is designed to enhance your understanding of anti-bias education in the early childhood classroom by using a variety of reflective methods. These methods include journaling, dialogue, mindfulness practices, and more. My hope is for you to use these tools in your own unique way as a means to foster intrinsic and systematic change in your teaching practice and in the world beyond.
| Organization | Contact | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Consultant | Sarah Campbell | 401-559-6707 | scampbellec@gmail.com |
Keep Your Teeth on Your Own Body (Tips for Toddlers and Biting and Beyond)
This training will explore the myriad reasons why a toddler may bite, and offer solutions for how to prevent and/or appropriately respond to biting, as well as offer practical ideas on ways to communicate with parents about biting.
| Organization | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Consultant | Tracy Cheney, M. Ed. | tlcheney2@gmail.com |
CDA Planner
Prepare for the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential: build your portfolio, identify critical resources, and understand the necessary requirements for the CDA. This course guides participants through the entire CDA process. Upon course completion, participants will have prepared their documents and materials to apply for the CDA, and they will know what to expect out of the CDA Verification Visit and CDA Exam.
| Organization | Registration Link | |
|---|---|---|
| Quality Assist, Inc. | http://www.quorumlearning.com | Help@QuorumLearning.com |
Building Strong Relationships with Families
Effective family engagement involves intentionally including families in the decisions, plans, and activities that promote their child’s learning. Strong communication skills are essential to this process. In this course, participants will learn communication skills that support the establishment of positive, responsive, and cooperative relationships with families. This course includes strategies for communicating with diverse families, skills for navigating difficult conversations, and practical approaches for managing ethical dilemmas. In addition, this course equips participants with communication tactics to encourage partnerships between school programs, families, and the community.
| Organization | Registration Link | |
|---|---|---|
| Quality Assist, Inc. | http://www.quorumlearning.com | Help@QuorumLearning.com |
Autism 101
Once considered a rare disorder, the most recent study on autism prevalence from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 1 in 59 children are living with it. Most of us likely know someone – a friend’s child, a neighbor, a family member, a student – who has been diagnosed. The “phenomenon” of autism seeming to be everywhere leads to many questions: Is it becoming more common? What is it, anyway, and what causes it? Is there a cure? What are some strategies for working with a child who has autism who is already in your early childhood classroom? Autism 101 attempts to answer these questions and more. We hope that after taking this course, you are not only more knowledgeable about autism but that you’re inspired by the incredible strengths of this very special group of individuals.
| Organization | Registration Link | |
|---|---|---|
| Quality Assist, Inc. | http://www.quorumlearning.com | Help@QuorumLearning.com |
How to Effectively Handle Children with No “Off” Button
Do you have a particularly challenging child in your class this year? One moment he’s playing in the Block Center with his friends, the next moment he is tearing everyone’s structures down. During Circle Time, he might be okay for two minutes, and then he is hitting, kicking, and doing anything else one can think of to annoy his peers. What’s a teacher to do??? Come to this workshop to learn and share some new strategies.
| Organization | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Education Consultant | Tracy Cheney, M. Ed. | tlcheney2@gmail.com |
Mindful Teachers/Mindful Children — The Art of Teaching Mindfulness to Young Children to Help with Social/Emotional Skills
You’ve most likely heard about “mindfulness” but may have thought it was just the latest buzzword in the world of education. Mindfulness is about paying attention to the here and now (also known as being “present”). Mindfulness reconnects children to their five senses, bringing them into a moment-by-moment awareness of themselves and their surroundings through breathing exercises, visualization activities, and learning how to focus on learning opportunities, such as Circle Time, Small Group Time/Learning Centers, and Large Group Time. Research shows that mindfulness helps children be more attentive, less anxious, and better able to handle their emotions and self-regulation. As children build and strengthen these skills, they become capable of exhibiting empathy, compassion, and patience, and acquire better emotional and social skills.
| Organization | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Education Consultant | Tracy Cheney, M. Ed. | tlcheney2@gmail.com |
Essentials of Leadership in Early Childhood Education
Explore leadership competencies both broadly and in the early childhood setting. Leadership essentials include awareness of self, others, and the profession; communication and team-building skills; cultural competence; and ethical conduct. These characteristics are embedded in everything the leader does. Learn to address the challenges of being a leader through practical application of these concepts; learn to lead with integrity, inspiration, and purpose.
| Organization | Registration Link | |
|---|---|---|
| Quality Assist, Inc. | http://www.quorumlearning.com | Help@QuorumLearning.com |
Family Engagement: The Road to Better Outcomes for Children
Family engagement refers to the reciprocal relationship between families and early childhood educators. It occurs when families are purposefully included in the decisions, plans, and activities that promote their child’s learning. Research has shown that engaging families in their child’s education improves school readiness and later academic success. To implement successful family engagement practices, program staff need effective strategies to bring teachers, families, and community members together to support children. In this course, participants will learn the key characteristics of family engagement practices and research-based strategies to successfully engage families.
| Organization | Registration Link | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality Assist, Inc. | http://www.quorumlearning.com | 404-325-2225 | Help@QuorumLearning.com |
Inspiring Creativity: All the World is a Stage
Explore how creativity develops through playful experiences, rather than concern for the finished product. Creativity is not talent, skill, or intelligence. It is about thinking, exploring, discovering, and imagining. Creativity is self-expression that arises out of interaction and exploration of self, others, culture, and environment. Through interactive learning activities, group discussion forums, classroom examples and videos, and reflective writing exercises, participants will learn how to inspire creativity through tasks and activities that engage children in learning that is targeted and fun.
| Organization | Registration Link | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality Assist, Inc. | http://www.quorumlearning.com | 404-325-2225 | Help@QuorumLearning.com |