Workshops, Presentations & Lectures

During this four hour event, you will be introduced to the power of movement to fully integrate the potential of the human brain using Brain Gym^®.

Brain Gym^® uses 26 simple movements and activities for enhancing performance of brain and body. Paul Dennison, Ph.D., an expert in child motor development, created this program based on research by educational professionals, developmental optometrists, and other developmental specialists.

During Intro to Brain Gym^® you can expect to learn:

• The 26 Brain Gym^® movements
• P.A.C.E.
• The 3 Dimensions: Focus, Centering, and Laterality
• Methods and techniques that can be used immediately with individuals, groups, or for yourself

This workshop is designed as a reminder to repeatedly use all five senses throughout the day. Games, activities, and opportunities will be discussed to offer an intentional approach when working with children and their senses. Potential to increase your sense awareness throughout the training is provided. Bring your ideas and be prepared to participate. This is something that is evaluated during a CDA observation.

While reading books, you will incorporate and integrate the use of your five senses. Through reading interpretation and expression, participants will gain insight while reading all-time favorites. Books will be provided for your inspection and to strengthen the strategies discussed throughout this workshop.

Good curriculum lesson plans are based on assessing and observing children, but how do you do this? You'll learn and practice the techniques that will help you gain more confidence in building a lesson plan which meets all children's needs and create activities that entertain and excite children. Observations may also assist in preventing common behavior problems. Let's work together to determine ways to increase our observations skills along with our ability to know what to with the information we gather during those observations.

How can you encourage and structure children's social studies awareness every day?  Using everyday materials, events, and people, we will foster a better understanding of social studies.  We will cover the diverse aspects of social studies: Family and generations, community workers, habitats, jobs, traditions, and celebrations.  This workshop will incorporate the Early Childhood Learning Guidelines in the activities.

Why does a certain child always seem to misbehave? Through this workshop, we will discuss reasons that may be the cause and what, as a child provider, you can do to make yours and the child's day go smoother. We will take an inventory of the child's daily activities and determine strategies to meet his or her needs.

Do you see your children biting his or her nails, having tantrums, or meltdowns when you least expect it, or pulling away from their favorite activity? New sibling, loss of loved person or animal, moving to a new home, or watching the news on TV can contribute to a child's already stressful daily routine. Come see and learn verbal and non-verbal strategies that can help children deal with stress in a positive, loving manner.

Does the word "Math" bring up bad memories?  This workshop is designed to assist in making math fun for families.  Participants will look at everyday activities and materials differently in order to promote math in a positive way.

Do you have time to fit in this last activity? Should you step in and help? Should you intentionally observe? What do you do when you don't know what to do? Will you offend a coworker? Come prepared to talk about specific situations. This workshop will be more beneficial if coworkers come together. Expect lively interactions.

Do you dread rainy days?  Are you worried about winter coming and getting outside?  Do your children have too much energy for you to cope with?  This workshop is for you.  Come prepared to participate and learn new activities through this movement based training.

Come prepared to take a hard look at your environment. Large pieces of paper will be provided for participants to redesign the space they are currently using. Discussion will include setting up learning centers, creating print-rich environments, and storage in limited space.

Do you have children who have difficulty initiating conversations, playing with other children, and difficulty recognizing appropriate play? This training is for you. Come discuss strategies to promote positive social interactions by using puppets, flannel stories and books.

Do you ever dread circle time?  This is the training for you.  Come find out how to enjoy circle time.  Participants will discuss and practice strategies to keep circle time moving.  New approaches may be learned as well as current practice validated.

Are you looking for strategies to deal with tantrums, meltdowns, conflicts, difficult behaviors, while dealing with your own child? Do you have siblings in your care who have spent too much time together? This training will offer strategies which look at your schedule, environments, transitions, and what you bring to each interaction. Participants are expected to bring situations for discussion. Please come prepared to learn new strategies and validate current practices.

Does getting your CDA seem really daunting?  Participants will discuss the standards and process required to receive a CDA.  Discussion will also cover how your practice, your setting and your philosophy will meet the standards.

Does this task seem overwhelming?  Discussion will cover the essentials as well as the wants to meet the needs of your families while giving you boundaries and a support system.  Discussion will also cover how to use the handbook once it is completed.

Do you ever wonder what you would do if you had a family who wanted to enroll their child who has special needs?  Participants will get a quick overview of many childhood diagnosis:  spina bifida, feeding tubes, catherization, respiratory distress, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, epilepsy.  If you have a child enrolled, please notify the workshop presenter prior to the workshop.