Center-Approved PD

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.

All About the ITERS-3: A Fun, Hands-On Overview of the Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale for Improving Quality

This workshop series provides an overview of the ITERS-3 tool so that participants will be able to self-assess their own classrooms and set goals and timelines for quality improvement. (Please Note: This offering does not meet the BrightStars Learning Environments training requirement which begins at Level 2 in Standard 1: Learning Environment.)

All About the ECERS-3: A Fun, Hands-On Overview of the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale for Improving Quality

This workshop series provides an overview of the ECERS-3 tool so that participants will be able to self-assess their own classrooms and set goals and timelines for quality improvement. (Please Note: This offering does not meet the BrightStars Learning Environments training requirement which begins at Level 2 in Standard 1: Learning Environment.)

Challenging Behavior: Reveal the Meaning

Children express their needs through words, facial expressions, body language, and behavior. When communication is sent in the form of challenging behavior, understanding the message can be difficult. This course explores the ways children speak to us through behavior and examines the role teachers play in the two-way conversation. Participants will learn how to interpret children’s behavior, how to effectively teach social skills, how to develop an environment that supports cooperative and meaningful learning, and how to build partnerships with families. Through case studies, interactive learning activities, group discussion forums, and reflective writing exercises, participants gain a solid understanding of what challenging behaviors communicate and how best to respond. This course provides training suitable for any professional working within the early childhood education field or with young children, directors, family members, and parents.

How to Integrate Yoga in the Classroom and Appreciate the Benefits

This two-part training will introduce participants to the benefits of yoga, and offer poses and sequences that participants can incorporate into their classroom routines and activities.

Establishing and Sustaining Exceptional Relationships with Families: Going Beyond Johnny Had a Good Day

This training will help participants gain knowledge of basic communication skills to be applied in their daily interactions with families. In addition, participants will learn how to build and sustain relationships with families by providing strategies for communication in a variety of ways.

Understanding Child Abuse and Prevention

In this course, participants will learn how to identify the signs of abuse and neglect, describe how abuse and neglect impacts development, implement strategies to build resilience in children suffering from abuse and neglect, and identify the mandated responsibilities of reporting cases of abuse or neglect. Early childhood teachers have a unique opportunity to affect the life of a child suffering from abuse and neglect. Many children spend as many as 10 hours a day in early childhood programs, and children depend on their teachers to provide a safe, nurturing place to grow and learn. Unfortunately, some of those children come to child care with experiences of abuse and neglect. High-quality child care centers, with professionals who have action-oriented information, can make a difference for children that has long-lasting benefits. The principles discussed and the strategies described will help teachers understand the importance of their role and build resilience in young children suffering from abuse and neglect. This course provides training suitable for anyone related to or involved in the field of early childhood education.

Focusing on the Strengths of Others for Success

We live in a society in which we are always trying to improve and acquire new skills; basically, to get better, or “fix” someone. This workshop focuses on a different approach, that of what is already working well and is inherently a person’s strengths. When we focus on a person’s strengths, we can learn to have a more positive approach to supporting others, communicate more effectively, and focus on the positive.

Professionalism and Boundaries for Early Childhood Educators

Reflecting and understanding all that it means to be an early childhood professional is crucial to our work each and every day. This includes understanding how to maintain appropriate boundaries and roles with children, families, and coworkers. This workshop will explore both of these topics through discussion and specific scenarios.

Creating and Supporting a Responsive Toddler Room

This training will demonstrate a developmentally appropriate and responsive learning environment for a toddler classroom. At Dr. Day Care, we refer to this as a Toddler Model Classroom. From this training, you will learn about the typical routines and daily expectations in a toddler classroom.

Creating and Supporting a Developmentally Appropriate Infant Room

This training will demonstrate a developmentally appropriate learning environment for an Infant classroom. At Dr. Day Care, we refer to this as an Infant Model Classroom. From this training, you will learn about the typical routines and daily expectations in an infant classroom.

Responsive Caregiving: Nurturing Relationships with Infants and Toddlers

Responsive caregiving is the foundation of quality infant and toddler care. Nurturing relationships, one component of responsive caregiving, creates a secure base for infants and toddlers to develop socially and emotionally. When infants and toddlers spend time in the care of others in various settings, caregivers and families share the responsibility of developing nurturing relationships. This course begins with an overview of responsive caregiving, then goes deeper into the aspects of developing nurturing relationships with infants and toddlers. Participants will explore Attachment Theory which is at the heart of responsive caregiving, examine the role of the caregiver in understanding social and emotional development, and review a variety of communication strategies that foster nurturing relationships.

Creating High Quality Learning Experiences for Children

How do you create high quality learning experiences for children? Learn about how to structure your classroom to best meet the needs of all children. Learn about how policies, procedures, and regulations help inform your daily practice. This training is geared for teachers of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school age students.

Effective Parent-Teacher Communication

Participants will learn skills to effectively communicate with the families of children in their classrooms (ages birth to 12). This training will focus on types of communication skills and tips for effective communication with parents.

Using Motivational Interviewing Techniques to More Effectively Partner with Parents

This webinar examines the importance of developing strong relationships with families. Highlighting the techniques of motivational interviewing, the webinar provides information and strategies on how to more effectively partner with families to foster relationships and support children’s growth and development. This webinar is available in English and en Español.

Certificate of Completion: No

Strategies to Support and Encourage Healthy Active Living Course

This online, interactive self-study course was developed to advance the skills and knowledge of Head Start and Early Head Start staff. However, with a focus on healthy, active living for children and families, this course is relevant for anyone working in the early care and education field. Practice building skills to effectively communicate and engage with families around creating and maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle. This course is available in English and en Español.

Certificate of Completion: Yes

Caring Connections Podcast Series

The Caring Connections podcast series offers eight (8) podcasts that provide quick and useful information on topics relevant to early childhood educators and families with young children. Topics include physical health, social and emotional development, routines, and much more. The podcasts may be accessed by computer, smartphone, or other mobile device. The podcasts are available in English and en Español.

Certificate of Completion: No

Supporting Children and Families Experiencing Homelessness

The National Center on Parent, Family and Community Engagement has developed a new interactive learning series to enhance your knowledge around family homelessness and the McKinney-Vento definition of “homeless” as it refers to children and youths. The series also explores other relevant federal regulations for Head Start, Early Head Start, and Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) programs.

This series includes eight modules. Each module takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. You can spend as much or as little time as needed, depending on your level of experience. A Certificate of Completion can be printed after you complete all sections of each module.

Module Topics

• Overview of Family Homelessness
• Understanding Family Homelessness
• Understanding the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act’s Definition of “Homeless”
• Determining a Family’s Homeless Situation
• Identifying and Reaching Out to Families Experiencing Homelessness
• Enhancing Program Access and Participation for Children Experiencing Homelessness
• Building Relationships with Families
• Connecting with Community Partners

Key Features

• Transcripts: Printable text versions of the modules
• Resources: Helpful handouts available for download
• Federal policies: Direct links to the federal legislation and regulations referenced in each module
• Knowledge checks: True/false and multiple-choice activities
• Practice scenarios: Activities offering useful guidance for program staff members serving young children and school-age children

Target Audience

• Professionals in Head Start, Early Head Start, and child care programs
• Early childhood and school-age child care providers
• CCDF lead agency or designated entity staff
• Other key stakeholders

Digging Deeper: Looking Beyond Behavior to Discover Meaning

Digging Deeper: Looking Beyond Behavior to Discover Meaning includes four lessons that explore and apply the Responsive Process—Watch; Ask “I Wonder” Questions; and Adapt: Using “Flexible Responses”—to the behaviors of very young children. Developed by the Early Head Start National Resource Center, the lessons are delivered in easy-to-read, accessible language and include voice-over narration, written scripts, video examples of appropriate practice, and reflective questions. Program staff, education coordinators, and trainers may use this information to build or refresh their observation skills and responses to children’s behaviors. The lessons are available in English and en Español.

Integrating Early Childhood Social and Emotional Development into Early Childhood Systems

This presentation reviews the fundamentals of early childhood mental health and the implications of young children’s social and emotional development for their long-term outcomes. The importance of early brain development and caregiver mental health (especially depression) are highlighted.

Certificate of Completion: No

Traumatic Childhood Experiences: Homelessness

This one-hour webinar, presented by SchoolHouse Connection in partnership with Sesame Street in Communities, provides important information on how to help children experiencing homelessness. SchoolHouse Connection is a national organization working to overcome homelessness through education, and Sesame Street in Communities provides multi-media resources for families and providers on several topics aimed to support young children’s growth and development.

Training Module: Executive Function

The module discusses the science of executive function and self-regulation and how adults can help children build these skills. The module takes about 90 minutes to complete, and users can stop and resume participation, as needed.

Certificate of Completion: No

Building a Dynamic Brain: The Influences of Music, Movement, and Nutrition

This webinar examines brain and motor development as it relates to the prenatal period and then ages birth to 3. The webinar investigates the relationship between the developing brain, nutrition, and the motor, movement, and music development of infants and toddlers. The webinar also identifies ways that early childhood educators, administrators, and families can support such development in young children. This webinar is available in English and en Español.

Certificate of Completion: No

Devereux Center Upcoming and Archived Webinars

The Devereux Center for Resilient Children offers both live and archived webinars for early childhood educators. Early childhood development experts share information on promoting social skills for children, healthy emotional development, and resilience. From the website, you can access and view recorded presentations, or register for upcoming live webinars. Downloadable handouts also are available. Webinar topics include supporting early learning with challenging behaviors, promoting resilience in adults who care for children, and promoting resilience in children and families involved in the child welfare system.

Beyond Bottles and Baby Food: Setting the Nutritional Foundation for Lifelong Wellness

This webinar provides important information for families, caregivers, and communities to have about nutrition and feeding for infants and very young children. Developed as part of the Little Voices for Healthy Choices Initiative, the webinar features Paula Mydlenski, a registered dietician, and teaching artists from the Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts. This webinar is available in English and en Español.

Certificate of Completion: No