The Wonder of Spiritual Formation in Early Childhood

We hold on to and celebrate those sacred moments in our classroom where we see the “wonder” in a child’s eyes about the love of God. As adults, we are sometimes even challenged (and certainly blessed) by a child’s expression of pure faith and desire to know and respond to God. As early childhood educators, we can set the stage for preschoolers in our care to experience the wonder of God. This session will focus on principles of the spiritual formation in early childhood.

Sessions 3 and 4

Let Them Eat Dirt and Other Renegade Ideas

Sometimes, the best preschool teachers are the ones who resist the urge to follow the crowd and succumb to the latest trend in early childhood. This session will present several counter-cultural ideas that may unlock creativity and confidence in the preschoolers in your classroom.

Sessions 2 and 3

Movin’, Groovin’ and Making Music

Unlock the power of music! Elevate mood, boost memory, and ignite self-esteem. Explore the universal language through fun songs, dances, and games. Join us to discover innovative ways to integrate music into teaching for enhanced cognitive, sensory, and motor skills. Let’s make learning musical and enjoyable together!

Teaching Sign Language When You Aren’t Fluent

Whether a novice or expert, this class ensures you’re not just comfortable but excited as you integrate signing into your daily routine. Join us for a resource-packed session as you watch children express needs before mastering words. We will share books, websites, songs, and techniques to make signing a seamless addition to your teaching toolbox!

Sessions 2 and 3

Creating Dynamic Days with Engaging Plans and Themes

Craft your dream classroom! Join us as we master the art of planning dynamic days with thought-out lesson plans, engaging themes and vibrant activity centers. Unleash productivity and fun in every class session!

Making Circle Time Magical

Join us to discover fun ways for kids to master taking turns, active listening, idea sharing, and self-expression. Let’s make learning a blast with fresh and exciting circle time activities!

STEM-ulating Ideas for STEM in Preschool

Discover seamless ways to integrate STEM into your daily routine. Leave empowered with a toolkit of engaging STEM activities ready to spark curiosity in your classroom. Let’s turn learning into a STEM-ulating adventure!

Sessions 4 and 5

Exceptional Preschoolers, Exceptional Programming

Explore strategies for recognizing and accommodating diverse learner needs with an emphasis on exceptional learners. Gain invaluable insights on when to seek additional testing and support, paving the way for classrooms where every student can truly thrive!

Brain Boosters: Simple Strategies for Brain Development in Kids

Join us as we demystify brain development, understand its core principles, and leave with easy-to-implement interventions that spark optimal growth in kids. Learn how to make neuroscience accessible and actionable in your preschool room.

Understanding and Managing Children’s Anger

Discover a fresh perspective on anger as a tool, not a foe. Dive into nuanced insights and gain practical strategies to guide children in managing, not suppressing, their emotions. Join us for a transformative journey as we explore practical strategies for understanding and supporting children through anger.

Trauma Revealed: Strategies for Understanding and Helping Kids

Gain essential tips and strategies for supporting children who’ve faced challenges and learn how trauma affects their world. Be prepared to empower every child in your classroom!

Sessions 4 and 5

Mirror Neurons: How your body language affects your preschoolers

“It’s not what you say, but how you say it that matters!” Come learn why this is true and a few tips that could change the climate in your classroom!

Sessions 2 and 3

A Hands-On Journey into Understanding Childhood Learning and Behavior

Join us in an exploration of understanding the child you teach. We will look at the “why” behind their actions, learn about the characteristics of various age groups, discover their unique learning styles, and explore versatile learning approaches. Get ready to unravel the mysteries of teaching and connect with your students in a whole new way!

Bible Beginnings: Bringing Faith to the Preschool Classroom

Discover engaging methods to weave the Bible into every moment, bringing stories to life through lively conversations and activities. Join us on a teaching adventure as we bring the Bible to life in the lives of our preschoolers.

Sessions 2 and 3

Building Reading Foundations Through Play

Do kids learn through play??? It’s a resounding YES! Join us and discover the magic of infusing literacy naturally into every moment. Watch children ask questions, develop vocabulary, and boost language skills through play. Explore how your center and activities can become language-rich environments.

Read to Succeed: Crafting Literacy Magic in the Preschool Classroom!

Transform your classroom into a literacy haven for all students! Explore the magic of visuals, adaptive books, and storytelling to create a vibrant learning environment. Plus, unlock the power of Social Stories to help students express themselves. Let’s make literacy an adventure!

Time to Talk: An Overview of Speech and Language Development

Uncover major milestones in speech and language development and how language shapes literacy. Explore the critical link between speech, language, and early literacy skills and how to create a solid speech and language foundation for young learners.

Sessions 4 and 5

Time to Talk: Speech and Language Strategies Focused on Preschool Needs

Join us for a toolbox of speech and language strategies that ensure comprehension and expression in every preschooler. Explore methods to boost literacy and prepare preschoolers for their speech and language journey.

Putting the Pizzazz in Communication and Social Media

Are you ready to add some pizzazz to your communication and social media? This interactive session is designed to help you transform the way you communicate by providing a better understanding of how to create engaging content on social media and beyond. In addition to discussing digital planning and strategies, and addressing privacy concerns, we will also lean into traditional communication methods. Come ready to enhance your communication skills and leave this session feeling more confident and armed with practical tips and innovative strategies to add some sparkle to your Weekday communication.

Transition Toolbox

Attention Grabbers… Gear Changers… Time Fillers… It’s all in your TRANSITION TOOLBOX!

Time spent between activities is often unproductive and leads to chaos. Promote success in your classroom by using the “tools” from this workshop to capture your students’ attention and easily move through the preschool day.

Fine Motor Factory

In the Fine Motor Factory workshop, we’ll discuss stages of fine motor development and discover hundreds of activities you can use with preschoolers to build these important skills. You’ll learn ways to help strengthen a child’s hands, fingers, and wrists throughout the school day. From morning table time and free choice centers to circle time and small groups, workshop participants will see opportunities for including fine motor play.

Building Your Communication Skills with Parents

During the discussion, participants will explore the various types of communication essential for preschool settings. They will also discover ideas and methods to communicate with parents in a way that fosters trust and confidence.

Directing for Pros

In this session, you will learn how to use the three connection points of community, cooperation, communication to connect your weekday parents to your program and the church.

Active Shooter Training

Active Shooter Training

Lunch – 12:30-1:15

Session 4 – 1:15-2:15

• KidsPlace: Shelly Melia, Let Them Eat Dirt and Other Renegade Ideas
• A210: Caitlin Phelps, Exceptional Preschoolers, Exceptional Programming
• A220: Paula Walker, Mirror Neurons: How Your Body Language Affects Your Preschoolers
• A240: Michelle Snay, Read to Succeed: Crafting Literacy Magic in the Preschool Classroom
• A250: Kat Rakovec, Understanding and Managing Children’s Anger
• B102-B103: April McCaa, Making Circle Time Magical
• B112-B113: Pam Barker, Teaching Sign Language When You Aren’t Fluent
• B240: Donna Moyer, Fine Motor Factory
  
• W building, Legacy A: Cindi White, Building Your Communication Skills With Parents
• W building, Legacy B: Joy Drake, Putting the Pizzazz in Communication and Social Media
• W building, Legacy C: Linda Baxter, Bible Beginnings: Bringing Faith to the Preschool Classroom
• W building, Legacy D: Melonie McCallum, Time to Talk: Speech and Language Strategies Focused on Preschool Needs

Session 5 – 2:30-3:30

• A210: Caitlin Phelps, Exceptional Preschoolers, Exceptional Programming
• A220: Paula Walker, Mirror Neurons: How Your Body Language Affects Your Preschoolers
• A240: Michelle Snay, Read to Succeed: Crafting Literacy Magic in the Preschool Classroom
• A250: Kat Rakovec, Understanding and Managing Children’s Anger
• B102-B103: April McCaa, Making Circle Time Magical
• B112-B113: Pam Barker, Teaching Sign Language When You Aren’t Fluent
• B240: Donna Moyer, Fine Motor Factory
• W building, Legacy A: Cindi White, Building Your Communication Skills With Parents
• W building, Legacy B: Joy Drake, Putting the Pizzazz in Communication and Social Media
• W building, Legacy C: Linda Baxter, Bible
  Beginnings: Bringing Faith to the Preschool Classroom
• W building, Legacy D: Melonie McCallum, Time to Talk: Speech and Language Strategies Focused on Preschool Needs