To narrow your search for workshops, please click on the subsections in the box to the right. More workshops are being added daily, so check back often!
You Asked: We Listened!
Per your request, check out a few of this year's featured workshops:
The Continuity of Care Model in Infant and Toddler Care, Rachel Schumacher, Senior Fellow, Child Care and Early Education Policy Center for Law and Social Policy
Providers and caregivers who regularly care for very young children can have a positive impact on child development by forming continuous, strong attachments with children. The research has found that a “continuity of care” approach can reduce the likelihood of problem behaviors and enhance secure attachments between providers and children. Find out how to provide an environment in which infants are more likely to play, explore and interact with adults in their child care setting.
Kindergarten Standards and the Project Approach, Shelby King, Illinois State Board of Education and Sallee Beneke, M.Ed., Early Childhood Resource Specialist, STARnet
This workshop will offer insight into implementing the Illinois Kindergarten Standards effectively for all children. Presenters will share examples of meeting the Kindergarten Standards through the project approach. Implementation of the Project Approach facilitates engagement and reduces challenging behavior
Reggio-Inspired Bilingual Early Childhood Education (Presented in Spanish and English) Hertha Ramirez and Lourdes Molina
Bilingual preschool education is importance of establishing a solid foundation for the academic success of Spanish speaking students. This presentation will focus on emergent literacy, exploring self-identity, and documenting the learning in the Reggio way.
Sharpening Your Observation Lens: Creating Sharper Links Between Curriculum and Assessment, Diane Trister-Dodge, President, Teaching Strategies and Cate Heroman Vice President, Teaching Strategies
Learn how to assess children’s progress on The Creative Curriculum Developmental Continuum for Children Ages 3-5 more accurately and with confidence by using model literacy and math activities.
Creating Environments that Sustain Children, Staff and Our Planet: Understanding How the Green Building Movement Affects Young Children, Vicki Stoecklin, Education Director, Hutchinson Learning Group
Learn how to create healthier spaces for young children, both indoors and outdoors. Topics of discussion include green buildings, toxic toys, green cleaning and how to naturalize your outdoor space.
Looking Closely and Thinking Deeply: Reflecting on Twelve Years of Exploring Reggio Principles in the Inner City and What Has Been Learned, Karen Haigh, Columbia College and Daniel Scheinfeld, Erikson Institute
Lessons learned from the first twelve years of the Reggio Exploration at Chicago Commons (1991-2003). The workshop reflects on the structures and processes that evolved in the classroom, in the professional development and support staff, and in relationships with families. The overriding question is: What was learned about incorporating Reggio principles into every aspect of the program?
Praise vs. Encouragement, Carol Weisheit, Early Childhood Resource Specialist, STARnet
Are you wondering if there is a better way to interact with children than always responding with “Good Job” or “Good Boy/Girl”? If so, come join us for a lively discussion of the dangers of praising children for their behavior and how avoiding praise helps children achieve the Illinois Early Learning Standards (both preK and K). We will discuss why encouragement is critical for children to develop intrinsic motivation and how extrinsic motivation may, in fact, lessen a child’s willingness to try hard. Discussion, short video clips and small group activities will be used in this workshop.
More Conference Highlights
Building the Bridge Between Preschool and Kindergarten
Measurement with Young Children
- Teaching the Scientific Method in the Early Grades
- Where’s the Math in Goldilocks? Pre-Algebra in PreK
- Beyond ‘Use Your Words!’: Supporting Social Interaction in the Classroom
English Language Learners
- Accelerate Oral Language Skills in Spanish and English Through the Use of American Sign Language, Song, and Dance
- Reggio-Inspired Bilingual Early Childhood Education
- Story Dictation: Helping Children Who Are English Language Learners
- Supporting Children Who Are English Language Learners
Family Child Care
- How Can a Provider Association Help Me?
- Be Prepared! Your DCFS Licensing Rep is Coming
- Confidentiality, Court Orders, and the Release of Children
- Set Yourself Up for Success: Marketing Strategy and Business Plan 101
- The Fair Labor Standards Act, Overtime and Child Care Employees
- Family Child Care Networks and Quality Improvement in Family Child Care
- Engaging Environments for Young Children
- Creating Environments that Sustain Children, Staff and Our Planet
- Introduction to the Infant-Toddler Environmental Rating Scale
Infant and Toddler
- Who’s Watching? Supervision of Birth-to-Three Programs
- The World Around Them: Setting Up Your Infant-Toddler Classroom
- Celebrating and Supporting Language and Literacy for Infants, Toddlers and Twos
New to the Field: Building Awareness
- The ABC’s of Advocacy
- Alphabet Soup: What’s Best for Me?
- Changed, Fed, Now What? Activities for Infants and Toddlers
- Shall We Dance? Implementing a Responsive Care Environment for Infants
- Working with Arab American Children and Families
- The Community School Model: Resolving Obstacles to Student Success
Out of School Time
- Quality Programming Using the NAA Standards
- P.L.A.N. Parents Leading a Nation
- Talking Circles: An Intervention/Prevention Tool to Build Community
Skill Building Sessions
- Celebrating and Supporting Language and Literacy for Infants, Toddlers and Twos
- Color Me Healthy
- Developing a Repertoire of Language-Focused, Science-Based-Activities
- Story Dictation: Helping Children Who are English Language Learners
- Teaching Social Skills
- Talking Circles: An Intervention/Prevention Tool to Building Community
