Annual Conference - We All Have a Story To Tell
Morning Session 10am-12pm
Dawn Baker
Using Rosenthal’s books we will encourage conversation that inspires children to consider others perspective. We will also explore what it means to value differences in others and what it means to value who we are as well.
Amy Weaver
This session explores the role of best practices in the early childhood classrooms. Sustainable learning opportunities versus learning for the moment s explored.
Jodi Huffman
This workshop will define mindfulness and why it is important. Participants will discuss self care, deep breathing as a form of mindfulness and yoga as mindful movement. Providers will learn how to incorporate mindfulness in the classroom.
Dr. Betsy Diamant-Cohen
A quick overview of executive function skills will be followed by hands-on demonstrations of concrete ways to partner nursery rhymes with activities that build self-esteem and self-regulation skills. For instance, learn how to use a flannel board to practice turn taking, paying attention and following directions, while also building self-esteem.
Liran Laor & Orly Zimmerman-Leizerov
Children growing up today are well aware of the reality of death. They feel something ominous is occurring in their world. We cannot protect them from the tragedies of life, but we can model healthy attitudes. In this session teachers will learn about children’s understanding of death, questions children may ask when death occurs in their surroundings, ways to talk with children about death and support their emotional needs.
Afternoon Session 1:15pm-3:15pm
Jean Montgomery, MA, CCC-SLP
Simple pleasures, like gigantic ice cream cones and soaring red balloons, fill adults and children alike with joy. But how can we help little listeners cope when ice cream scoops go splat and balloons fly away? This presentation will explore how young children recognize emotions and develop language for mental states (e.g., happy, sad, hungry, tired), as well as how we as educators can support healthy emotional development through literacy.
Petrea Hicks
This workshop will discuss ways adults can help young African-American males (2-5 years old) develop and foster a healthy self-image. The areas of discussion will include a sense of security, a sense of belonging and a sense of competence and pride. Additional children’s books featuring young African-American males are introduced.
Trish Kane & Neal Lichter
Neal and Trish will offer attendees a practical understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) using experiential exercises and personal experiences. Providers will learn ways to facilitate successful interactions in the childcare setting through this lens. In addition, there will be an interactive opportunity where attendees can “Make and Take” sensory fidgets.
Phuong H. Hoang
Storytelling is one of the best ways to help young children develop listening, speaking, and comprehension skills. We want to encourage children to be active listeners as they enjoy, retell, and act out stories. We want to help children engage with others and appreciate their cultures. Participants with share their experiences with storytelling and will examine the benefits of using books, folk tales and personal stories to encourage social connections in the classroom, home, and community.