For Your Agency

Workshop Description

While the majority of educators believe in inclusion for all children, inclusion continues to create stories of success and challenges. Grounded on a foundation of human rights, this workshop will engage participants in reflection on the values they hold, how these values influence their work with children and families, and how inclusion is defined across settings of community and school. In addition, this session will focus on universal research-based practices that are foundational to creating high quality inclusive environments for all children, such as intentional use of communicating schedules and routines, supportive transitions, teaching behavior expectations and positive, descriptive feedback.

Workshop Description

As the inclusion of children with disabilities or other diverse learning needs within our early learning environments grows, this workshop will engage participants in reflection on what is currently working and where barriers exist within their classrooms. Building on a strong foundation of valuing inclusion and in the consistent use of “universal” practices, we increasingly recognize the need for strategies that classroom teams can implement to meet the diverse learning needs of individual children. The emphasis of this workshop will be on the exploration of practical tools to reflect on how we engage educators, caregivers and families in a process of using everyday routines, and routines within routines, to identify functional outcomes to ensure each child experiences meaningful participation and inclusion. A retrospective review of the value of using routine focused tools to impact and enhance participation will be shared.

Workshop Description

Early brain development is a complex process involving both genetic factors and environmental influences. This workshop explores the basics of brain development, the factors that can negatively impact brain development, and how we can use our role to support both healthy brain development and resilience in the face of adversity.

Workshop Description

How do we know when something is a mental health concern and what support to provide? In this workshop, we will learn key factors affecting mental health, how to recognize signs of concerns, and what our role is in supporting the mental health of children, families and ourselves.

Workshop Description

Supporting others who have experienced trauma and its effects can be a difficult task. This workshop will examine types of trauma, it’s impact on health and development, and how a trauma-informed lens can help us support others and protect ourselves as we do this.

Workshop Description

Grief is a normal emotional response to loss and change. Learn about the different types of loss and how to offer support to others experiencing grief.

Workshop Description

The first five years of a child’s life is very important. A child’s healthy social emotional development forms a foundation for lifelong learning and mental health. Children’s social emotional development is deeply linked to healthy parent-child and adult-child relationships. In this workshop, you will learn about social emotional milestones and the qualities of engagement with children and families is a powerful tool for supporting developmental progress to support development.

(1 hour keynote. Full day sessions for parent groups.)

This session will be tailored to help participants (families or educators) engage in thoughtful reflection to strengthen their vision and create a shared understanding of what inclusion means for a child or team. Examining their hopes and fears surrounding inclusion, participants will come away with an understanding of how a vision can build and strengthen relationships with parents and team members and create meaningful participation in everyday routines at home and in the community.

Workshop Description

The research is clear on the critical role the environment holds in influencing children’s well-being, their participation and engagement. In this session, participants will reflect on the importance of nurturing meaningful relationships with children and families as a core, “universal” practice for all adults in the child’s life. In addition, we will also explore “targeted” strategies to more intentionally teach social and emotional skills for children who may require additional support.

Part 1 – Building Positive Relationships and High-Quality Supportive Environments

Workshop Description

This workshop explores our view of children and beliefs about their learning with a focus on the importance of building meaningful relationships with children and families. Participants will also gain insight as to how the environment influences children’s opportunities for participation and engagement.

Part 2 – Targeted Social and Emotional Supports

Workshop Description

This workshop focuses on the importance of educators intentionally providing opportunities for children to learn and practice social and emotional skills. This includes practices such as:

• Promoting positive peer interactions
• Supporting children in recognizing and identifying feelings
• Responding to children’s strong emotions to support regulation
• Guiding children to become independent problem-solvers

2 hour workshop (Parents)

Workshop Description

As educators and parents, we want our children to participate meaningfully in the day-to-day experiences of our families, classrooms, and communities. Literacy and communication skills are how we share our experiences with others and interpret their experiences in turn. How can we support early literacy and communication development for our children who have significant communication disorders and other disabilities?

This workshop will support educators and families to engage children in reading and writing activities that are interactive, personally meaningful, and aimed at enhancing their participation across their day. We will explore technology applications and simple materials we can make at home to foster these experiences. Attendees will leave this workshop with new ideas and resources to support all children to become engaged as early readers and writers.

(Full day)

Family Centered Practice (FCP) is a philosophical approach that recognizes the fundamental role of parents in the provision of services. In early childhood programs, FCP holds great potential to enhance and guide collaborative decision-making with parents as active members of the learning team, extending into the school years. Working from a family centered lens begins with critical reflection on professional’s values, beliefs, and current practices (behaviors) for engaging families and increasing parent involvement.

(2-day workshop)

Workshop Description

As we aim to strengthen the skills and knowledge of others, this learning opportunity will explore the research and skills behind adopting and implementing a practice-based coaching model.

Quality coaching, quality teaching, and child learning are interconnected. Research has demonstrated that most professionals benefit substantially from coaching support to build their skills and confidence in using evidence-based practices.

This learning opportunity guides participants through an in-depth look at the elements of a Practice-Based Coaching (PBC) for the intentional capacity building of adult learners. PBC is a cyclical process for supporting the use of professional skills that lead to positive outcomes for children and is grounded in creating a culture of coaching and fostering collaborative, co-learning partnerships.

Participants will be introduced to tools that guide assessment of learner needs, shared goal setting, action planning and reflective feedback. Through use of video, case studies, and break-out groups, participants will practice the PBC framework within the context of their own work.

Time will also be provided exploring next steps for implementation and sustaining the practice based coaching model in the workplace.