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Saturday, April 25, 2009
1. Understanding Temperament: Yours and Theirs
(Both Sessions)
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.
2. Using Music to Develop Relationships with Children and Their Families (Both Sessions)
Linda Robertson, Old Town School of Folk Music
Music is a powerful way to bond with infants and toddlers; songs
create a sense of security, and rhythm empowers. Singing is a way to develop community. We will sing, dance, and explore exciting ways to communicate with children using songs old, new, and improvised.
Bring your singing voices and your jumping shoes!
3. Talking with Parents about Infants and Toddlers
Who Worry and Challenge Us
(Both Sessions)
Phyllis Nickel, Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant, Children’s Home
and Aid and Caregiver Connections
While we communicate daily with parents, it can be particularly stressful to share concerns about their child’s development or behavior. In this session we’ll talk about building relationships of trust; preparing for parental conversations; anticipating possible reactions; and resources. We’ll watch a portion of the WestEd Center for Child and Family Studies video, Protective Urges, then reflect, practice, and share experiences.
4. Itsy Bitsy Yoga® (Both Sessions)
Jeana Pietrus, MS, FCLA
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. Babies as young as three weeks can enjoy the structured one-on-one interaction Itsy Bitsy Yoga provides. 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.
5. Gateways to Opportunity: Infant Toddler Credential (Both Sessions)
Mark Obuchowski and Melody Shuerman, Illinois Network of Child Care Resources & Referral Agencies (INCCRRA)
Gateways to Opportunity is a comprehensive professional development system that promotes career advancement in a variety of areas. The Infant Toddler Credential is one of the newest state-recognized
credentials offered through Gateways. Please join us as we explore this birth to age three credential and its supporting programs and resources.
6. Fulfilling the Promise: Finding the Strengths in
All Kinds of Places
(Morning Only)
Laurie S. Kabb, LCSW, Director, Prevention Initiative, Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Project, Erikson Institute
Panelists
Barbara Daley, Early Childhood Coordinator, Asian Human Services –
Leaf Program
Aida Ramic, Daycare Teacher, Asian Human Services – Leaf Program
Deborah Kaiser, Parent Facilitator, Find/PI, Stevenson School
Kathy Kohlstedt, Family Intervention Specialist, Early Childhood Block Grant, Find/PI, Community Resource Center
Christina LePage, M.A., Program Manager, Family Support Program,
Infant Welfare Society of Evanston, Inc.
Working with families and their children, ages birth to three, is both rewarding and demanding. Family stressors and the demands of early childhood care can challenge our ability to maintain our sense of
hope and our image of others (and ourselves) as competent. In this workshop, staff from three Prevention Initiative programs—joined by their consultant—share techniques for using Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation to strengthen their capacity to look for,
find, and promote strengths in children and families to support social emotional development.
7. In-Depth Discoveries with Infants and Toddlers (Morning Only)
Rachel Weaver Rivera, Early Childhood Program, Union Church of Hinsdale
How can teachers support young children in the exploration of one topic over an extended period of time? Learn how infants and toddlers use their curiosity to investigate color, nature, and wonder-filled sensory
surprises in their environment. View examples of child discovery, then participate in hands-on experiences.
8. What Is Essential for Infant Mental Health? (Morning Only)
John Roope, Director, Early Childhood Mental Health Services, Caregiver Connections; Consultant, Chaddock Training Institute
The term “mental health” is really code for “we are now discussing mental illness,” right? In many adult-based systems, this may be the case, but what about in the emerging field of infant and early childhood mental health? This session provides a useful framework for understanding mental health in the context of young children. Participants will explore the multidisciplinary, intergenerational, and relationship-based approaches to mental health and how they translate to our work with children and families.
9. The Joys and Challenges of Having Infants in Childcare (Morning Only)
Nancy Mork and Marsha Baker, Fussy Baby Network, Erikson Institute
The decision to enroll an infant in childcare can be both wonderful and worrisome for parents. Childcare providers must try to balance the needs of the babies as well as their parents. In this workshop we’ll discuss infant development, including crying and sleeping, and explore the dual dilemma facing both parents and teachers.
10. Don’t Cheat The Children – GrandFriendships for Babies and Toddlers (Morning Only)
Helene Block Fields, Professor Emeritus, Oakton Community College
In this workshop we’ll explore the time-honored roles of kindly seniors—related or not—in the lives of babies and toddlers. Suggestions for
casual, involved, or super-involved GrandFriendships in a caring
neighborhood will be presented.
11. Making Art Together (Afternoon Only)
Rachel Weaver Rivera, Imagine Art Studio
Discover how children ages two and three collaborate on drawing,
painting, and other art projects using natural and recycled materials. Focus on the process of shared discovery and learn practical ways to work with small groups of children. View slides of children’s art investigations and roll up your sleeves to try out various classroom activities.
12. Caring for the Caregiver: Who Is Watching the Kids? (Afternoon Only)
John Roope, Director, Early Childhood Mental Health Services, Caregiver Connections; Consultant, Chaddock Training Institute
Taking care of ourselves is not a luxury to be considered only when everyone else’s needs are met. It is a responsibility that must be met first if we are to be effective caregivers. Intended for parents, teachers, directors, and others, this session is aimed at helping those who care for children care for themselves in a productive way.
13. Infant and Toddler Child Abuse and Neglect: Policies, Procedures, and Prevention (Afternoon Only)
Jeanna Capito, MS, Positive Parenting DuPage
As professionals, we have solid research pointing to the most common risk factors for poor parenting and child abuse potential. In this session we’ll review and discuss the research, and match this information with activities to support prevention in each aspect of your work with families. We’ll also highlight the importance of organizational policies and
procedures and ongoing staff training on these and related topics.
14. Outside the Box: Outdoor Experiences for Infants
and Toddlers
(Afternoon Only)
Sharon Lichtenstein, M. Ed.
All infants, toddlers, and twos need multiple experiences with their world. The best way for these “little guys” to learn is through relationships with people and their environment, in this case the outdoors. At these young ages, children already are becoming conscious of belonging to and being responsible for the maintenance of their world. We must show them by example and by early exposure to the wonderment of the outdoors.
15. Relating to Different Cultures: Sensitivity is More
Than a Word
(Afternoon Only)
Tywanda Jiles, Governors State University
Why are some families easier to approach than others? What are
some of the ways to enter someone’s home and establish a trusting
relationship? This workshop will explore the fundamental skills for responding to and understanding some cultural behaviors.
16. Understanding Separation as a Major Part of your Curriculum
(Afternoon Only)
Robin Byster, Early Childhood Consultant and Teacher
The fundamental process of attachment and separation is critical to a child’s early development. Come and learn more about the research on attachment and ways you can support this knowledge when planning for children and working with families. Recognizing separation as a lifelong process that begins in infancy can help you to better understand the social and emotional reactions demonstrated by children.
17. Making Learning Visible (Afternoon Only)
Carol Engberg, Infant Child Development Specialist, Lutheran General
Children’s Day Care
Sue Spjuth, Preschool Child Development Specialist, LGCDC
Designed for all levels of teaching experience, this workshop focuses
on making learning visible in infant and toddler classrooms. The
presenters will describe their influences as well as the importance of documentation and the purposes for which it might be used. Learn how to create an eye-catching display that effectively conveys its message.
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