This comprehensive professional development course, hosted by EDucation ForWARDS and presented by Staci Edwards, is designed to equip educators with hands-on, engaging strategies for teaching foundational math concepts within early childhood and elementary education settings. It is tailored specifically for those seeking Ohio proof credit, offering 4.5 hours of training, comprised of 3 hours of instruction and an additional 1.5 hours awarded upon practical application and documentation of learned strategies within the classroom. Throughout the course, educators are presented with an array of practical ideas for integrating math into their daily routines and across various subject areas, including language development, literacy, social-emotional learning, and physical education. The course emphasizes the importance of applying a hands-on approach to teaching math, encouraging the use of materials and activities that are both relevant and appealing to young learners. The training is segmented into focused modules that cover key topics such as brainstorming math in the classroom, understanding the difference between counting and quantifying, exploring number songs and books for sustained learning, and experimenting with math and music. Participatory exercises such as brainstorming sessions are included to encourage deep thought about the application of math in various classroom settings. Additionally, the course dives into definitions of essential math vocabulary and educational concepts, ensuring educators can accurately document student progress. This includes understanding terms like number recognition, spatial skills, shapes, patterning, and measurement with practical classroom applications. The use of humor and engaging examples, such as the linkage between math and watermelon purchases, serves to make the content accessible and enjoyable. Participants are encouraged to employ the wealth of ideas presented, like using ten frames for quantifying, involving kinesthetic learning with number dances, introducing number songs to reinforce counting, crafting number cards, and using sensory writing materials for number formation. They also learn to incorporate games for teaching spatial vocabulary through enjoyable activities like hula hoop Simon Says or parachute shape exploration. The course concludes with a challenge for educators to synthesize their learning by planning the incorporation of math activities across different curricular areas and a Professional Development (PD) take-back assignment. For this assignment, participants are tasked with selecting and implementing three strategies from the course in their classrooms. They must then document this application through videos or photos, which are uploaded as evidence to receive full credit for the additional 1.5 hours of training. Overall, this course is action-oriented, fostering active learning and demonstration of educational concepts. It emphasizes the importance of practical application, providing educators with a wealth of resources to enhance their teaching and deepen their students' mathematical understanding in engaging, developmentally appropriate ways.

The course you participated in focuses on classroom management, particularly addressing classroom behavior, engagement, and establishing a positive learning environment. Here are the key points and strategies covered in the course: 1. Understanding Behavior: - Viewing behavior as a form of communication and addressing the underlying emotions. - Recognizing the importance of remaining calm and sharing your calm with overwhelmed children. - Teaching children to express their needs through appropriate behaviors. 2. Teaching Strategies: - Intentionally teaching social-emotional skills just as you would academic skills. - Using specific techniques, like the "notice technique," to help children identify and manage their emotions. - Employing breathing strategies and calm-down cards to help children self-regulate. 3. Classroom Environment: - Creating a safe and welcoming space where children feel connected and are more likely to follow rules. - Implementing family-style meals and encouraging autonomy to foster independence. - Establishing helper jobs and ensuring children's participation in classroom routines. 4. Routines and Expectations - Using visual schedules and consistent routines to provide structure. - Setting clear, positively stated classroom rules starting with a verb (e.g., "use walking feet"). - Offering choices within the set boundaries to empower students. 5. Behavior Management Techniques: - Implementing CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System) behavior markers for clear expectations, proactive measures, and effective redirection. - Staying consistent in applying techniques with persistent and recurring practice. 6. Advanced Strategies: - Putting "bass" in your voice for authority without yelling. - Keeping directions simple and clear. - Using nonverbal cues for children with different language capacities. 7. Dealing with Challenges: - Recognizing and reframing challenging behaviors by understanding children's perspectives. - Giving two positive choices to redirect behavior without confrontation. 8. Application and Reflection: - Applying techniques like zoning staff in the classroom to manage different areas effectively. - Reflecting on scenarios where challenging behaviors occur and creating strategies to address them. Throughout the course, participants are prompted to actively reflect on quotes, participate in exercises, and create actionable plans to implement the strategies discussed. The course emphasizes the importance of understanding behavior in a compassionate way and equipping children with tools to manage their emotions constructively. It encourages participants to apply learned concepts to real classroom situations and continuously improve their approach to classroom management.

The course focuses on strategies for teachers to handle challenging behaviors in the classroom, particularly in the context of post-pandemic changes impacting teachers, administrators, and children. The following key points and strategies are covered: 1. Understanding Behaviors: Stress is placed on the importance of understanding the underlying reasons for children's behaviors, which often communicate unmet needs or feelings. The metaphor of an iceberg is used to illustrate that the observable behavior is just the tip, with much more lying beneath the surface. 2. Connection Before Correction: Emphasizes the need to foster strong adult-child connections in the classroom. It's suggested that increasing connections can significantly reduce problematic behaviors. 3. Trauma-Informed Approach: The training discusses how trauma from the pandemic and other sources can manifest in the classroom. Fight, flight, freeze, and fawn responses to trauma are detailed, underscoring the need for teachers to be sensitive to these reactions in students. 4. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: Outlines how fundamental needs must be met before children can engage in learning and higher-level functioning. 5. Emotion Naming and Regulation: Teachers are encouraged to help children name their emotions to help regulate them. "Name it to tame it" is a concept discussed, with strategies such as the "Notice" technique. 6. Establishing a Routine: The importance of predictability and routine in making children feel safe is highlighted with a discussion of visual classroom schedules. 7. Offering Choices: The strategy of giving children two positive choices to foster autonomy and cooperation is elaborated. 8. Safe Place in Classroom: Details the concept of creating a designated "safe place" in the classroom where children can go to regulate their emotions. 9. Heavy Work: Introduces the idea of "heavy work," physical activities that help children with sensory processing by providing proprioceptive feedback. 10. Sensory Activities: The course discusses the value of sensory activities for regulation and engagement, including their ability to mitigate sensory-seeking behaviors that can be disruptive. 11. **Conflict Resolution**: It covers strategies for aiding children in resolving conflicts, including scripts that teachers can use to guide the children through a conflict resolution process. 12. **Growth Mindset**: Concepts around fixed versus growth mindsets are outlined, encouraging teachers to instill a belief in the power of effort and perseverance in their students. Teachers are encouraged to reflect on the strategies presented, select a few to implement in their classrooms, and consider further training opportunities for more in-depth learning. Throughout the course, various resources, examples, and interactive prompts are provided to help teachers internalize and plan the application of these strategies.

This comprehensive professional development course is designed to empower educators with practical strategies for emotional self-care. With an understanding of the unique challenges faced by those in the educational field, participants will explore the complex nature of stress, trauma, and emotional fatigue that can affect both teachers and students alike. The course highlights the importance of self-awareness and proactive wellness practices to not only manage personal stressors but also to inspire a nurturing learning environment. Key takeaways include: - Deep dives into the science behind stress and its impact on physical, emotional, and mental well-being. - Examination of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their impact on educators and students. - Techniques for emotional regulation and reframing challenging situations. - Role-playing exercises for stress reduction and the cultivation of a supportive classroom community. - Humor as a stress relief tool, interspersed with educational content to enhance engagement. - Hands-on activities, such as art and movement exercises, for promoting personal well-being. - Approaches for administrators to foster a culture of respect and appreciation among staff. - Strategies for assertiveness and setting healthy boundaries. - Tips for creating a gratitude practice and the benefits of expressing appreciation. Participants will engage in reflective activities, discussions, and proactive planning to integrate these approaches into their personal and professional lives, ensuring they leave the course equipped to support themselves and their students with greater empathy and resilience.

The course is designed to help educators improve the efficiency of transitions in the classroom and incorporate learning activities into those transitions. The instructor emphasizes that research indicates preschoolers spend about a third of their day transitioning between activities, but only a third of these transitions include a learning component. The goal of the course is to reduce the overall time spent on transitions and to make them more educational. The instructor provides personal anecdotes and their background to create rapport with the audience. They proceed to discuss various strategies and activities to make transitions smoother and more engaging, such as: 1. Establishing routines to ease separation anxiety during drop-offs. 2. Greeting rituals for children and families, offering low-touch and high-touch options. 3. Creating sensory paths or using ropes, blocks, or fabric to make transitional areas more interactive. 4. Encouraging gross motor animal movements to move children from one area to another. 5. Sorting children into groups using cards, colors, objects, or sounds to promote order during transitions. 6. Using quantifying songs or activities to transition small groups incrementally. 7. Suggesting various calming techniques such as breathing exercises, yoga, to transition to quieter or calmer times. 8. Emphasizing the use of visual cues, verbal mapping of expectations, commentary, and personalized feedback to make transitions smoother. 9. Introducing games or songs that involve rhyming, counting, or sequence to keep children engaged during wait times. The course also suggests conducting self-evaluations, identifying parts of the day that could benefit from reduced wait times, and considering changes in the environment to help with transition movements. The instructor underscores the importance of routine for preschoolers and the impact of smooth transitions on children's sense of security and on classroom management. They also offer specific examples and actionable advice throughout the course. At the end of the course, the instructor encourages participants to reflect on what they learned and consider three strategies they can implement in their classroom to enhance transitions. The course wraps up with a list of references used to create the training material and an appreciation for the participants' dedication to professional development.

This course is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of educators in fostering positive teacher-child interactions. Throughout the program, participants will engage with a variety of content, including practical classroom examples, theoretical concepts, and interactive activities aimed at promoting developmental support, relationship building, and effective communication strategies. Key Features: 1. Exploration of Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory to understand the multifaceted influences on child development. 2. Techniques for crafting supportive and affirmative learning environments that contribute to children’s sense of trust and autonomy. 3. Strategies for scaffolding learning experiences to support each child's zone of proximal development. 4. The significance of lollipop moments in leadership and the impact of acknowledging and creating these moments. 5. Guided reflection on personal experiences, interaction styles, and the creation of purposeful and playful engagement with children. 6. Opportunities for introspection and application of course concepts through prompts and actionable tasks, encouraging immediate integration into classroom practice. Participants will walk away with new insights into their role as leaders and mentors, equipped with tools to make a profound difference in their students’ lives through daily interactions. This course is perfect for early childhood educators seeking to deepen connections with their students and to foster an environment where every child can thrive.

Discover the joy of fostering language and literacy development in your classroom with our engaging course! Designed for early childhood educators, "Engaging Language and Literacy Strategies" offers a treasure trove of practical methods and creative ideas tailored to enhance the literary skills of young learners. Through this dynamic training program, you'll delve into the pedagogy behind effective language instruction and explore a variety of interactive approaches that can be effortlessly integrated into your lesson plans. Throughout the course, we'll present a compelling mix of theoretical insights and hands-on examples across key areas including read-aloud techniques, shared reading, musical storytelling, readers' theater, and conceptual sorts using Venn diagrams. With an emphasis on cultural relevance and trauma-informed practices, you'll also learn how to foster stronger connections with your students to build a classroom environment that supports emotional well-being and behavioral development. Key Learnings: - Implement innovative language and literacy activities based on the "Three Little Pigs" and other classic tales. - Create and leverage thematic word walls to support vocabulary growth and concept recognition. - Engage children with finger plays, movement songs, and rhyme to bolster phonemic awareness. - Develop compelling reader's theater scripts to encourage expression and comprehension. - Apply graphic organizers in early childhood settings to enhance critical thinking skills. Whether you're incorporating whimsical tongue twisters, conducting a musical retelling, or comparing and contrasting with Venn diagrams, this course promises to equip you with a plethora of resources to spice up your literacy sessions and make learning an adventure. Come join us and leave with a toolkit of strategies that will have you and your students excited for every literacy lesson!

The course presented by Stacey Edwards from Education Forwards covered the impact of the pandemic on children's behavior and development, and the ongoing challenges faced by educators in the aftermath. It discussed research showing that children have been affected by trauma and how it influences their emotional regulation and brain organization. The course highlighted that issues such as neglect, abuse, isolation, and increased incidence of fear due to the pandemic have had lasting effects on children, particularly during their formative years. The course then transitioned to focus on strategies that educators can use in the classroom to help mitigate these effects. It emphasized the importance of safe, predictable environments, building relationships, and focusing on self-regulation. Specific techniques such as greeting aprons, social-emotional books, and self-regulation activities like breathing exercises were suggested as ways to create a supportive atmosphere. Stacey went on to show examples of these strategies in practice and proposed engaging activities to help children express and manage their emotions, such as using mirrors for facial expression recognition, read-alouds of social-emotional books, and "I Love You" rituals for building connections. The course also offered advice on handling situations when children are in crisis, recommending against punitive measures and instead focusing on supportive and responsive techniques, including the 'notice' technique to help understand a child's emotional state, as well as various breathing strategies for calming down. Lastly, Stacey concluded by urging educators to reflect on their key takeaways from the course and to commit to trying at least three new strategies in their classrooms within the next 30 days. She encouraged them to apply their knowledge practically for the betterment of their students' well-being and learning experiences. The course was comprehensive, providing both a theoretical framework and practical tools for addressing the social and emotional needs of children post-pandemic in educational settings.

Join us in a highly interactive and engaging course designed for educators seeking to enhance literacy instruction for young learners. Discover a treasure trove of developmentally appropriate methods to teach letter recognition, writing, and phonics through hands-on, creative activities that will transform your classroom practice. You'll learn to move beyond traditional worksheets and embrace a variety of sensory experiences and kinesthetic approaches that cater to the diverse learning styles of preschool and early elementary children. Gain insights into integrating technology thoughtfully, promoting visual discrimination skills, and utilizing environmental print in meaningful ways. This course offers practical tips for immediate classroom application, helping you inspire a love of learning and build foundational literacy skills in your students. Whether you're an experienced teacher or new to the profession, this training will equip you with fresh ideas to help your learners flourish in literacy. Join us for an enjoyable and educational journey that promises to ignite enthusiasm for reading and writing in both you and your students!

The course you've described appears to focus on effective communication strategies within personal and professional settings, emphasizing the importance of understanding and using different forms of communication to enhance interactions and relationships. Key takeaways from the course include: 1. **Connotation and Denotation**: Exploring how meaning changes based on personal and cultural experiences, with examples like "Do you smell what The Rock is cooking?" to illustrate how different people might perceive the same phrase differently. 2. **Polarization and Common Ground**: Addressing the increasing polarization in society and the need to find common ground, illustrated by activities that highlight shared experiences and characteristics among people who might otherwise consider themselves very different. 3. **Building Community**: Offering practical tips for creating a positive atmosphere in workplaces, such as "filling someone's bucket" with appreciative notes and fostering a culture of kindness and recognition. 4. **Communication Methods**: Brainstorming the various ways we communicate, from speech and writing to nonverbal cues, body language, technology-assisted communication, and the massive volume of communication like texting among teens. 5. **Nonverbal Communication**: Emphasizing that a significant portion (up to 90%) of communication is nonverbal, using exercises like describing objects without gestures to explore the challenges of relying solely on verbal instructions. 6. **Feedback and Appreciation**: Highlighting the importance of specific, constructive feedback rather than generic praise, and the personal and professional benefits of expressing genuine gratitude. 7. **Difficult Conversations**: Guiding participants on how to approach challenging discussions with empathy, clarity, and a structure that includes thanking the other party for participating in the conversation despite its difficulty. 8. **Gossip and Professionalism**: Discussing the harmful aspects of gossip in the workplace and suggesting transparency and direct communication as remedies. 9. **Inspirational Leadership**: Concluding with a call to recognize moments where individuals have a positive impact on others' lives, the "lollipop moments," and encourage people to express their gratitude for such moments. Throughout the course, participants are encouraged to engage in activities and self-reflection, considering their own communication habits and how they might adopt the strategies discussed to improve their interaction with others. The overarching message is to be more intentional, empathetic, and effective in communication to build better connections and foster positive environments in all areas of life.

This course, "How to Plan a Study," is designed to help educators develop engaging, child-centered learning projects. Participants will explore strategies to select study topics that captivate children’s curiosity, foster their investigative skills, and support their understanding of the world. Through practical activities, discussions, and examples, this course offers tools to plan, facilitate, and document a successful study, making learning both meaningful and relevant for preschoolers.

This comprehensive course offers educators and caregivers a deep dive into the principles of being child-centered. Based on the insights and discussions in "On Being Child-Centered," the course is designed to guide participants through the philosophical and practical aspects of nurturing child-led environments. Each module is built around key attributes of child-centered practices, emphasizing the importance of play, exploration, and developmentally appropriate practices (DAP). Participants will engage with critical questions and reflective exercises that challenge conventional approaches to early childhood education. Topics include understanding the balance between structure and freedom, integrating play into daily routines, fostering executive functioning skills through exploration, and encouraging outdoor learning with minimal restrictions. Educators will also learn how to facilitate environments that promote autonomy, critical thinking, and social-emotional development.

This course, based on "Lisa Murphy on Play: The Foundation of Children's Learning," provides a deep exploration of the critical role that play has in fostering child development and learning. Designed for early childhood educators and caregivers, this course emphasizes the importance of play in nurturing cognitive, social-emotional, language, and physical development in young children. Participants will engage with core themes from the book, including the significance of hands-on experiences, creating environments that allow for exploration and creativity, and balancing structured learning with opportunities for free play. Through reflective discussions and practical activities, educators will learn how to integrate play into their daily routines, support children's natural curiosity, and advocate for developmentally appropriate practices.

Starting a new school year can be an exhilarating yet challenging time for educators as they set the tone for learning, camaraderie, and classroom management. "Cultivating Classroom Community: Strategies for the First 30 Days" is an immersive course designed to equip educators with a toolkit of effective strategies to foster a positive learning environment from the get-go. This course emphasizes collaborative and research-backed approaches, aiming to reduce stress for both students and teachers and to establish a joyful and inclusive classroom culture. Over the duration of this course, participants will learn how to: 1. **Navigate the First Days**: Gain insights into structuring the first few days, establishing routines, and creating a welcoming classroom atmosphere. 2. **Collaborative Input**: Discover the power of reaching out to fellow educators for shared wisdom and teaching strategies that enrich the learning experience. 3. **Humor and Happiness**: Learn about the role of laughter in reducing stress and creating bonds among students and teachers, while implementing joyful practices in daily teaching. 4. **Classroom Setup as the Third Teacher**: Explore the concept of the classroom environment as a silent educator and learn how to optimize spatial organization to enhance learning and behavior. 5. **Implementing Classroom Jobs and Routines**: Dive into setting up classroom roles and responsibilities and defining daily routines to empower students and promote independence. 6. **Building a Positive Climate**: Understand how to engender a positive classroom climate and regard for student perspectives through recognition of individual differences, cultural responsiveness, and structured social-emotional learning activities. 7. **Family Engagement**: Develop strategies for engaging families, emphasizing the importance of their role in supporting the classroom community and their children's education. 8. **Social Skills and Conflict Resolution**: Investigate how to teach and model social skills and conflict resolution, including the use of scenarios, social-emotional learning tools, and solution-oriented discussions. 9. **Effective Transitions and Safety**: Craft smooth transitions between activities and ensure classroom safety through structured approaches and clear communication. 10. **Planning and Assessment**: Create a concrete plan for incorporating these strategies into daily practice, setting clear teaching objectives and assessing their impact on classroom community development. By the end of this course, educators will not only have accumulated a range of strategies to apply directly to their classrooms but will also have created a personalized action plan to guide their practice during the crucial first month of school. By focusing on intentionality, inclusivity, and interactivity, this course will empower educators to shape an environment where every student feels valued and eager to learn. Intended Audience: This course is intended for early childhood educators, kindergarten teachers, elementary school teachers, teaching assistants, and school administrators who aspire to create a cohesive and vibrant classroom culture from day one.

Embark on a dynamic journey to enhance teaching strategies and stimulate learning in early childhood settings with our comprehensive course, "Unlocking the Power of Curiosity: Approaches to Learning in Early Childhood Education." This course is meticulously curated for educators, caregivers, and parents dedicated to fostering curiosity and fostering self-regulation in young learners. Throughout this in-depth training, participants will delve into the Head Start Early Learning Standards, Teaching Strategies GOLD (TSG), and Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP) to understand and apply the domain of Approaches to Learning in various educational contexts. The course provides practical tools and resources to help participants craft effective action plans for implementing the approaches in the classroom. Key Takeaways: - Understand the fundamental concepts within the Approaches to Learning domain and their relevance to children's educational outcomes. - Grasp the application of strategic teaching practices that fit within Approaches to Learning, enhancing student engagement and learning. - Explore activities designed to promote curiosity and initiative within young learners, from sensory-rich play to open-ended questioning techniques. - Gain insight into fostering self-regulation among children, with tips on modeling and guiding healthy emotional responses and behaviors. - Master action-planning to integrate incremental, achievable improvements in day-to-day classroom practices, with a focus on professional development outcomes. - Get access to diverse, educational resources from books to hands-on experiments, including Alka-Seltzer rockets, mystery boxes, and yoga freeze dances, engaging children in experiential learning. This course also includes interactive elements such as role-playing, engaging prompts, and reflective activities to ensure knowledge is translated effectively into practice. Whether you are a novice teacher or an experienced educator seeking fresh ideas, "Unlocking the Power of Curiosity" will equip you with a robust toolkit to ignite a love of learning in those pivotal early years. Join us as we commit to transforming the learning experiences of young children, laying the foundations for a future filled with inquiry, innovation, and success. Discover the joy of learning cultivated through curiosity and let's make a lasting impact on the lives of our learners.