Friday Workshop Descriptions - 1:00-2:30 & 3:00-5:00
A. Observing and Recording in Early Childhood
Presented by: Cherie Skillings MS NCC, Program Director & Mental Health Specialist, MountainStar
Family Relief Nursery
This set 2 training will explore the reasons behind observing and recording information on individual children and groups. We will also look at how classroom learning environment can impact behavior. Tools used for childhood assessments and observations will be introduced and used in a practical application. The presentation will include research behind assessment and observations to screen for developmental concerns.
Core Knowledge Category: Observation & Assessment
B. Numbers and Hypotheses
Presented by: Linda Rhine, MA, Curator of Education, High Desert Museum
Science and math should be hands-on, messy, and fun! It’s time to roll up your sleeves and get your body busy with some math and science. How far can a cougar jump? What are solids and liquids? Let’s find out together!
Core Knowledge Category: Learning Env. & Curriculum
C. Advocacy in Early Childhood Education
Presented by: Elizabeth Joy Zarek, Organizer, Early Learning Alliance/AFT-Oregon
Early childhood educators are professionals and need to be treated and respected as professionals. Come participate in this interactive, fun and thought provoking training about how to advocate for our field. Come away with some new language and great visuals about the important work we do.
Core Knowledge Category: Personal, Professional & Leadership Development
D1, D2, D3. The Foundation for Supporting Children’s Learning and Development
Presented by: Jennifer Edwards, M.Ed. ECSE Inclusion Specialist, High Desert Education Service
District & Diane Luckett, First Steps Program Director, High Desert Education Service District
This 3 section workshop serves as the foundation for the other units of the TRAC (Teaching Research Assistance to Childcare Providers) program. Participants will leave with a basic understanding of the principles of child development, learning environments to enhance children’s learning, teaching children social skills, behavior intervention guidelines, and including children with disabilities in early childhood programs. The foundations course is an 18 hours course. We will be completing 9 hours during the conference. Participants will decide when they will be finishing the remainder of the coursework after the conference. Other TRAC trainings offered after full completion of this course are: Supporting Children with Disabilities, Designing Environments, Challenging Behaviors, Partnering with Families. Participation in all 3 sections required.
Core Knowledge Category: Health, Safety and Nutrition
Presented by: Cherie Skillings MS NCC, Program Director & Mental Health Specialist, MountainStar
Family Relief Nursery
This set 2 training will explore the reasons behind observing and recording information on individual children and groups. We will also look at how classroom learning environment can impact behavior. Tools used for childhood assessments and observations will be introduced and used in a practical application. The presentation will include research behind assessment and observations to screen for developmental concerns.
Core Knowledge Category: Observation & Assessment
B. Numbers and Hypotheses
Presented by: Linda Rhine, MA, Curator of Education, High Desert Museum
Science and math should be hands-on, messy, and fun! It’s time to roll up your sleeves and get your body busy with some math and science. How far can a cougar jump? What are solids and liquids? Let’s find out together!
Core Knowledge Category: Learning Env. & Curriculum
C. Advocacy in Early Childhood Education
Presented by: Elizabeth Joy Zarek, Organizer, Early Learning Alliance/AFT-Oregon
Early childhood educators are professionals and need to be treated and respected as professionals. Come participate in this interactive, fun and thought provoking training about how to advocate for our field. Come away with some new language and great visuals about the important work we do.
Core Knowledge Category: Personal, Professional & Leadership Development
D1, D2, D3. The Foundation for Supporting Children’s Learning and Development
Presented by: Jennifer Edwards, M.Ed. ECSE Inclusion Specialist, High Desert Education Service
District & Diane Luckett, First Steps Program Director, High Desert Education Service District
This 3 section workshop serves as the foundation for the other units of the TRAC (Teaching Research Assistance to Childcare Providers) program. Participants will leave with a basic understanding of the principles of child development, learning environments to enhance children’s learning, teaching children social skills, behavior intervention guidelines, and including children with disabilities in early childhood programs. The foundations course is an 18 hours course. We will be completing 9 hours during the conference. Participants will decide when they will be finishing the remainder of the coursework after the conference. Other TRAC trainings offered after full completion of this course are: Supporting Children with Disabilities, Designing Environments, Challenging Behaviors, Partnering with Families. Participation in all 3 sections required.
Core Knowledge Category: Health, Safety and Nutrition
Saturday Morning Workshops 8:30-11:45
A. Eco-Healthy Child Care: Small steps to improve children's health
Presented by: Elizabeth Joy Zarek
Early years of life are critical to shaping future health. Research links toxicants found in households to health concerns, from asthma to learning disabilities. Small steps to reduce exposure make a big difference to children’s health. Learn simple ways to ensure that your child care facility is a healthy environment.
Core Knowledge Category: Health, Safety and Nutrition
B. Facing Your Fear Factor
Presented by: Mary M. Shea, Ed. D.
Including children with disabilities in early childhood programs can be challenging but nothing is more re-warding than witnessing a child make a friend, enjoy a game, or learn a new skill. This is a highly interactive workshop where participants will get past the fears involved in inclusion (I wasn’t trained for this! I don’t know what to do! I don’t know anything about that disability!) This is one of KIT’s most popular workshops.
Core Knowledge Category: Special Needs
C. Your Profession Needs You!
Presented By: Christyn Dundorf
Early Care and Education is developing into a profession. It needs your help! Becoming a Profession requires involvement on the part of all practitioners, but how are you to fit this into your already busy life? This session explores simple things you can do to support your chosen field.
Core Knowledge Category: Personal, Professional & Leadership Development
Presented by: Elizabeth Joy Zarek
Early years of life are critical to shaping future health. Research links toxicants found in households to health concerns, from asthma to learning disabilities. Small steps to reduce exposure make a big difference to children’s health. Learn simple ways to ensure that your child care facility is a healthy environment.
Core Knowledge Category: Health, Safety and Nutrition
B. Facing Your Fear Factor
Presented by: Mary M. Shea, Ed. D.
Including children with disabilities in early childhood programs can be challenging but nothing is more re-warding than witnessing a child make a friend, enjoy a game, or learn a new skill. This is a highly interactive workshop where participants will get past the fears involved in inclusion (I wasn’t trained for this! I don’t know what to do! I don’t know anything about that disability!) This is one of KIT’s most popular workshops.
Core Knowledge Category: Special Needs
C. Your Profession Needs You!
Presented By: Christyn Dundorf
Early Care and Education is developing into a profession. It needs your help! Becoming a Profession requires involvement on the part of all practitioners, but how are you to fit this into your already busy life? This session explores simple things you can do to support your chosen field.
Core Knowledge Category: Personal, Professional & Leadership Development
Saturday Afternoon Workshops 2:15-5:00
D. Under the Lily Pads: A Project-Based Approach to Early Childhood Curriculum
Presented by: Sally Sherfey, M.Ed., Oregon Registry Master Trainer.
Based on the Caldecott Honor Book, In the Small, Small Pond by Denise Fleming, explore and examine a curriculum that will entice young learners. Apply and link the latest ECE learning theories to the Project Based Approach. Walk away with a packet of ideas and resources. Make several classroom ready projects. Experience a child centered classroom.
Core Knowledge Category: Learning Env. & Curriculum
E. Introduction to Positive Discipline
Presented by: Steven Foster, LCSW, Early Childhood Specialist, Clackamas ESD’s Early Childhood Program.
Based on the psychology of Alfred Adler and the Positive Discipline series of books by Jane Nelsen, Ed.D., Positive Discipline is a mutually respectful way of parenting and teaching children. It emphasizes the importance of the sense of belonging while utilizing methods for working through challenging behaviors that are both kind and firm at the same time. Participants will come away with a new and powerful way to understand why children do what they do. This is a highly experiential workshop that will keep participants busy.
Core Knowledge Category: Understanding & Guiding Behavior
F. Growing Leaders for a Growing Community: Early Childhood Leadership Directions
Presented by: Holly Remer, Diane Treadway, Linda Gilpin & Robyn Lopez Melton
Utilizing materials from Early Childhood Leadership Direction presenters will deliver evidence based leadership development skills and information relevant to your agencies, communities, and statewide initiatives. The workshop will provide key leadership skills needed to take Early Childhood to a new level in our community and beyond.
Core Knowledge Category: Personal, Professional & Leadership Development
Presented by: Sally Sherfey, M.Ed., Oregon Registry Master Trainer.
Based on the Caldecott Honor Book, In the Small, Small Pond by Denise Fleming, explore and examine a curriculum that will entice young learners. Apply and link the latest ECE learning theories to the Project Based Approach. Walk away with a packet of ideas and resources. Make several classroom ready projects. Experience a child centered classroom.
Core Knowledge Category: Learning Env. & Curriculum
E. Introduction to Positive Discipline
Presented by: Steven Foster, LCSW, Early Childhood Specialist, Clackamas ESD’s Early Childhood Program.
Based on the psychology of Alfred Adler and the Positive Discipline series of books by Jane Nelsen, Ed.D., Positive Discipline is a mutually respectful way of parenting and teaching children. It emphasizes the importance of the sense of belonging while utilizing methods for working through challenging behaviors that are both kind and firm at the same time. Participants will come away with a new and powerful way to understand why children do what they do. This is a highly experiential workshop that will keep participants busy.
Core Knowledge Category: Understanding & Guiding Behavior
F. Growing Leaders for a Growing Community: Early Childhood Leadership Directions
Presented by: Holly Remer, Diane Treadway, Linda Gilpin & Robyn Lopez Melton
Utilizing materials from Early Childhood Leadership Direction presenters will deliver evidence based leadership development skills and information relevant to your agencies, communities, and statewide initiatives. The workshop will provide key leadership skills needed to take Early Childhood to a new level in our community and beyond.
Core Knowledge Category: Personal, Professional & Leadership Development