Events for January 16, 2025 - January 16, 2025

This edWebinar takes a detailed, year-round look at practical and engaging outdoor experiences for children ages 3-6. Special attention is given to easy-to-obtain materials, seasonal activities that could be taught in a range of environments, and meeting the developmental needs of children—using nature as a teaching partner. The learning objectives of the session include:

As early childhood educators and caregivers, you are the first point of contact for parents for all things related to their children. From “good morning” to circle time, snack time to nap time, potty training to lunch, curriculum to playground time – you are the captain of their child’s ship during school hours, and the one helping to steer their child’s journey, not only their learning journey, but their social and emotional journey as well. This is a journey that comes with significant needs, requiring the necessary navigation of myriad expectations. Parents need you, but you also need them. Only together can you build the essential bridge that must exist between home and school to guide children on the best path forward.

Healthy social and emotional development in the preschool years is foundational to healthy development in all other areas. Research shows that fostering positive relationships is key to that healthy development! Join us as we discuss the importance of social and emotional development for preschoolers. Learn ways teachers and family child care providers can use the Positive Behavior Supports Framework to build relationships with the children in their care.

In this introduction to trauma, we will discuss various types of  trauma and its effect on the brain, body, and health. We will explore  trauma as it relates to behavior and learn how to identify ways to  reduce episodes of re-traumatization of survivors. 

Participants will engage in a hands-on exploration of grant research, writing and evaluation. The workshop will use sample proposal forms and proposals to introduce the elements of grants and the evaluation process used by funders. Students will explore how to find relevant grants and how to develop successful proposals that match funders’ priorities. They will develop an individual project proposal, learn how to research the organizational background, how to document need and how to establish an evaluation plan and timeline. Participants will leave ready to write grants and excited about the possibilities of developing funding.

How can communities continue to have connectedness and practice wellbeing for everyone? Dr. Collins will share tools of wellness that community members can use to provide care for themselves and the families they serve. She will share practical and accessible ways to support parents and children and offer wellness tools for care professionals while addressing the need to be mindful of trauma impacting our communities.

Learning a second language is cognitively and socially demanding. Therefore, educators must be intentional in using techniques that support children’s second language development while promoting their language skills. This webinar will provide you with helpful strategies in both areas.

Resilience — the ability to adapt to difficult situations — helps people cope and reach out for support when faced with mental health concerns. This webinar focuses on the importance of finding, understanding, and elevating sources of resilience in racially- and ethnically-diverse and under-resourced communities. Learn how to find local support systems that promote resilience so you can connect Head Start children, families, and staff with community resources that strengthen their mental health.