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April 26, 2008
1. Chat with John
and Denee (Morning Only)
John Roope, Chaddock Training Institute
Denee Jordan, Gateway Foundation
An informal extension of concepts and ideas presented during the
keynote address.
2. What’s a
Provider To Do? (Both Sessions)
Phyllis Nickel, Children’s Home and Aid
This workshop focuses on helping providers and families determine
how to proceed when they are concerned that a child in their care
needs special assessment or services. Participants will learn how
to observe and keep records, as well as respond to their “intuitive
sense.” We’ll also practice empathic conversations with
parents. Come share your questions, ideas, and resources.
3. Tiny Tunes: Active
Music for Toddlers (Both Sessions)
Carole Peterson, Macaroni Soup!
Toddlers develop critical skills by moving through their environment,
relating to others socially, and exploring their bodies and vocal
capabilities. Developmentally appropriate music and movement activities
provide just what a toddler needs to promote brain growth, language
skills, and coordination. Be prepared to move and groove!
4. Fussy Babies:
Supporting Families and Caregivers (Both Sessions)
Marsha Baker, OTR/L, M. Ed. and
Nancy Mork Bakker, LCSW, Erikson Institute Fussy
Baby Program
Fussy babies cry easily or a lot, and can prove challenging in any
child care setting. We’ll provide background information and
practical strategies for infant soothing, and supporting sleep and
daily routines. We believe that the most important thing is to learn
together what makes each baby special.
5. Monkeys Jumping
on the Bed: Music and Movement (Both Sessions)
Linda Robertson, Old Town School of Folk Music
Hey, hey, what do you say? Let’s have some fun and learn today!
First, we’ll look at familiar tunes with new words, and songs
for movement from around the world. Then we’ll do a little
brainstorming and spontaneous songwriting, to hone your “on
the spot” musical skills for those extra-challenging days.
Wear your dancing shoes!
6. Dancing with Parent
Groups (Both Sessions)
Norma Irie Swanson, Juvenile Protection Association
One powerful resource for providing support to young families is
parent groups, where parents’ experiences and feelings can
be shared and normalized. Parents in this setting also learn how
to reduce stress and enhance enjoyment of the early years.
7. Building Blocks
– Math with Infants and Toddlers (Morning Only)
Allison Potaczek, Concordia University
This hands-on presentation offers both research and practical ideas
on the “how to” of math skill building with infants
and toddlers. The focus is on what we know about brain development,
and how math skills can be enhanced in daily activities.
8. Brain Development
in the First Three Years (Both Sessions)
Eileen Canafax, Early Childhood Education Specialist
Learn about early brain development and what it means in the first
three years of life. We’ll bust a few myths and provide information
you can later share with others.
9. The Dance of Culture:
How to Connect with Families (Both Sessions)
Tywanda Jiles, Kendall College
Families of different cultures have different needs, and it is important
to remain sensitive to appropriate practices when working with them.
Participants will engage in activities to make them consider ways
to partner more closely with families.
10. Toddlers and
Project Work (Both Sessions)
Mary Ann Gottlieb, Northminster Learning Center
With a few adjustments, toddlers can do project work. Learn how
to build a base of experiences and develop a new vocabulary as we
help toddlers investigate the world around them.
11. Itsy Bitsy Yoga®
(Both Sessions)
Jeana Pietrus, CIBYF for Babies, Tots, and Tykes
Itsy Bitsy Yoga® is a loving, child-centered program that helps
caregivers better understand a young child’s physical development,
needs, and abilities through yoga. Caregivers learn numerous calming
techniques and healthy activities through Itsy Bitsy Yoga. Please
wear comfortable clothes and bring a baby doll or stuffed animal
with movable arms and legs in order to fully participate in this
workshop.
12. A Father and
His Father Discuss Infants and Toddlers
(Morning Only)
Aaron Podolner, M.Ed., Oak Park River Forest High
School;
Golden Apple Fellow
Mark Podolner, M.Ed., Child
Care Resource and Referral, Joliet, Illinois
Joined by a very special guest, one-year-old Lola Podolner, father
Aaron and Zaide Mark, her grandfather, explore the unique importance
of fathering. Learn how the style and substance of fathering and
being fathered has changed over the years.
13. Responsive Relationships
in Infant Toddler Care (Both Sessions)
Arleen Pratt Prairie, Child Development Specialist
Participants will understand the look and feel of being responsive
with very young children through active participation, discussion,
and video. The Principle of Responsive Relationships follows a model
from Budapest’s famed Pikler Institute.
14. Let’s Talk
. . . With Infants (Morning Only)
Carrie Rafalski, Early Childhood Consultant
Learn how to promote language development in infants (birth to 15
months) through activities at diapering, feeding, and snuggling
times. We’ll discuss teachers as role models, respectful teaching,
infant sign language, singing, stories, teacher-made books, and
more. No fancy equipment is necessary—just nurturing teachers.
15. Creating Places
and Spaces for the Young Child (Afternoon Only)
Sharon Lichtenstein, M. Ed., The
Paul S. and Sylvia Steinberg Pre-School
Creating the appropriate environment for infants, toddlers, and
“twos” allows young children to explore, wonder, learn,
and feel safe. We’ll offer developmental and philosophical
information that supports or gently challenges our discussions.
Expect audience participation and small group work in addition to
a presentation.
16. Understanding
Temperament – Yours and Theirs
(Morning Only)
Margaret Ariens Denten, Early Childhood Educator
Do you struggle to help the child who has very intense reactions,
or one who withdraws in new situations? Are you easily distracted?
Learn about the nine temperament traits that may influence your
relationships with children in your care.
17. Who’s Watching?
Supervision of Birth to Three Programs
(Afternoon Only)
Kinyata McGee Swope and Marsha Hawley,
Kendall College
Supervisors certainly know what it’s like to be “on
the spot” all day long, negotiating cultural difference and
competing needs. Enhance the skills needed to comply with regulations
while remaining empathetic to the work of your dedicated caregivers.
18. Language Development
in the Second-Language Learner
(Morning Only)
Megan Hillegass, M.S., Erikson Institute
This workshop outlines the basic stages of first- and second-language
development, and provides a framework for considering how learning
a second language is different from learning the home language.
Participants will learn strategies to help students use their native
language as a bridge to becoming fluent in English. We’ll
also examine the roles of families, teachers, and peers in acquiring
a language.
19. El Desarrollo
del Lenguaje en el Nino Bilingüe (Afternoon Only)
Megan Hillegass, M.S., Erikson Institute
Las etapas básicas del desarrollo del aprendizaje del primer
y del segundo idioma en los niños. Se explicará la
diferencia entre el aprendizaje de la lengua materna y un segundo
idioma. Los participantes aprenderán estrategias para ayudar
a los alumnos a usar su lengua materna para mejorar el aprendizaje
del inglés. También examinaremos los papeles de las
familias, de los maestros, y de los compañeros para aprender
un idioma.
20. Involving Fathers
in the Lives of Very Young Children
(Afternoon Only)
Mark Podolner, M.Ed., Child Care Resource and Referral,
Joliet, Illinois
What are the most effective strategies for increasing a father’s
involvement with young children at home, as well as with the child’s
other caregivers? We’ll explore the fears, concerns, hopes,
and desires of fathers today. What keeps them from doing more with
their children—and how can we encourage them? Mark Podolner
has more than three decades of experience as both a father and fatherhood
activist.
21. If You’re
Happy and You Know It . . . So Will Everyone Else
(Afternoon Only)
Carrie Rafalski, Early Childhood Consultant
Say “no” to stress, fear, and doubt, and “yes”
to happiness. It’s in your control! If you’re happy,
you’ll be happier at work, at home, and in your relationships
with children, colleagues, and others. Find out how to raise your
personal happiness level.
22. Promoting Positive
Parenting (Morning Only)
Jeanna Capito, MS, Positive Parenting DuPage
As professionals, we have access to research that identifies the
most common risk factors for poor parenting and child abuse potential.
Join us to review and discuss this research in a practical format.
We’ll try to match the information with strategies and activities
that can support risk prevention in your work with families.
23. The Baby is the
Key (Afternoon Only)
Jeanna Capito, MS, Positive Parenting DuPage
Professionals in all areas of early child care need a strong understanding
of infant and toddler development. Even community collaborations
and policy and advocacy work should be directly impacted by individuals
who understand child development. Join this workshop to consider
each aspect of our field from the perspective of development—the
baby’s development.
24. Up to Their Elbows:
Exploring Art with Twos and Threes
(Both Sessions)
Rachel Weaver Rivera, Imagine Art Studio
Discover how children ages two and three explore art materials including
paint, paper, wire, and natural and recycled materials. Focus on
the process of discovery and learn practical (yet extraordinary!)
new ways to introduce these materials to very young children. View
slides of children’s art investigations and spend time developing
a plan to facilitate similar open-ended experiences in your classroom.
25. Working Together:
Engaging Hard to Reach Families (Morning Only)
Julia Paloma, Ounce of Prevention Fund
Shared ideas and strategies are at the heart of this presentation
about early child care teachers who engage families in their work.
We’ll focus on struggles and resolutions.
26. Engaging Environments
for Infants and Toddlers (Afternoon Only)
Stephania Koliarakis and Becky Rube,
Howard Area Family Center
Do you feel stuck in the classroom? Are you interested in new lesson
plan ideas? Join us for an outside-the-box conversation about rethinking
your classroom environment. Redesign your space and learn to use
everyday materials to support development.
Advanced Practice
Workshop
This is a full-day workshop. Participants should
plan to attend
both the morning and afternoon sessions.
27. Screening and
Assessment: Building Relationships
with Families (Full Day)
Trish Perez, M. Ed., Ph.D., Harold Washington College
This two-part workshop focuses on a relationship-based approach
to screening and assessment. In the morning session we will look
at the theoretical framework and background to screening and assessment;
why screening and assessment are important; different methods of
screening and assessment; and future implications. The afternoon
session will focus on particular considerations and techniques for
working with diverse family populations. Topics include understanding
ourselves and our role; assessment interviewing techniques; deciding
on the appropriate assessment; and fundamentals in report writing
and reviewing reports.
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