Convention 2024

Exploring the Power of Unscripted Materials

11:15-12:55

Join us for a dynamic workshop designed to unlock the potential of unscripted materials in early childhood ecosystems. This engaging experience will shed light on the transformation power of loose parts pedagogy. Participants will explore a diverse array of materials that encourage creativity and deep joy in children. Through active engagement with unscripted materials, participants will deepen their understanding of how loose parts play promotes creativity, innovation, and critical thinking.

Sensory Processing & Behavior

11:15-12:00

Sensory processing is a complex, neurological process that allows us to alert to, interpret, and ignore or react to sensory information. While we have our traditional senses that paint a picture of our external world including touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing, we also have internal senses that impact our body awareness and emotional regulation. These include vestibular processing, proprioception, and interoception. This presentation will present information about these systems in relation to how they impact behavior. Participants will also learn practical strategies to support different sensory processing patterns of preschool-aged children.

Empowering Educators & Parents: Taking Care of You So You Can better take care of others

11:15-12:00

In a profession where nurturing and educating others is at the forefront, teachers and parents often have little time for self-care, leading to burnout and overwhelm. Participants will learn the importance of self-care for personal well-being and professional efficacy, explore various self-care practices that can be seamlessly incorporated into daily life, and participate in guided activities to start their self-care journey immediately.

Hands on healing with east asian medicine & ayurveda

11:15-12:00

Support nervous system regulation, strong immune systems, and cognitive development in small children (& yourselves!) through fun movement, acupressure, massage, and singing with East Asian Medicine! You'll walk away with simple and effective tools you can put into practice right away with your students and children.

Supporting gender expansive/transgender youth in early childhood settings

11:15-12:00

This workshop will deepen participants' understanding about gender and gender identity, especially regarding young children. Participants will learn language they can use when talking to families, friends, and colleagues about gender identities and differences. The workshop offers strategies to create inclusive classrooms and communities that support diverse gender expression. The workshop facilitator will also present options for resources and support for parents who think their child may be transgender, or who have questions about their child’s gender identity.

Movement & learning: How early motor skills influence learning

12:10-12:55

Play is the work of children. It is through joyful exploration of the world and meaningful interactions that children learn and develop throughout early childhood. Sensory motor skills, which develop through play over the first years of life, lay the foundation for strong social emotional regulation and even for later academic success. This presentation will focus on early motor skills and their impact on learning. Participants will learn fun, playful activities that help facilitate the development of these motor skills.

Discussion group for parents, caregivers, family, & friends of transgender, non-binary, or gender questioning children

12:10-12:55

Come share your experiences in a safe and welcoming space where you can speak openly, find and offer support, and get the information you need. Explore how to support yourself as you support your child. Participants will have the opportunity to gather for support, discussion, Q&A, and more. The workshop facilitator will lead a discussion and offer options for resources and support for parents/teachers who think their child (or a child they teach) may be transgender, or who have questions about their child’s gender identity. Transgender/Non-binary/Gender questioning adults also welcome and encouraged to join the discussion.

re-orienting the difficult moments as opportunities for connection & growth

2:15-3:55

This talk is focused on moments when we may feel particularly overwhelmed and/or at a loss for how to support the children in our world. We will consider the inevitability of these moments and their rich invitation to strengthen relationships to self and others and build pathways for future/family/educational/inner life navigation. We will consider the importance of keeping neuro-development in mind, both for the adult and in the child, and honoring these powerful opportunities to model and normalize human feelings, experiences, inner boundaries and needs with curiosity and care.

invitation to play! Play! Play!

2:15-3:55

Using an Expressive Arts Therapy approach, we will invite our Inner Children (and our Inner Critics!) on a play date. Join Taira Restar for a light-hearted exploration of creative play. Take home ideas for how to bring more joy and fulfillment into your life and into your parenting/teaching.

learning through music, dance & yoga

2:15-3:00

In this workshop, we’ll explore how as teachers we can foster all 5 areas of child development (cognitive, social and emotional, speech and language, fine and gross motor) through music, dance and yoga activities. The focus will be on learning simple ways to integrate dance, music and yoga into your daily curriculum/ routine. Activities will encourage self-expression, problem solving, teamwork and creative thinking while working on balance, coordination, listening skills, concentration, breathing techniques and spatial awareness. We’ll discover fun creative ways to teach basic science, math, early literacy skills and social emotional learning! Explore creative ways to use books, toys and other props that you can find throughout your classroom to keep your students engaged and focused throughout the year and help foster imaginative play. Learn tips for modifying these activities for different age groups to make sure that you are being developmentally appropriate!

embracing playfulness: cultivating a growth mindset in work & life

2:15-3:00

In this dynamic talk, we'll shake off the shackles of the drill sergeant mentality and embrace the rhythm of life with grace and gusto. Whether facing challenges or seizing opportunities, it’s possible to approach our work with purpose and passion every step of the way. We'll swap 'getting through the day' for ‘embracing the day' and transform our workplaces into vibrant playgrounds of innovation. Through practical strategies and real-life examples, we’ll discover how to infuse our tasks, responsibilities and work-place interactions with playfulness, curiosity, and a growth mindset. As we know, our children and students are watching, and will be learning firsthand what it means to live life with joy and authenticity.

*Also offered on Saturday

high support needs in the classroom - Q&A

2:15-3:00

Join a conversation around supporting children and families who have higher needs or challenging behaviors in the classroom. Have you run out of strategies? New or struggling to work with an ABA team or other early interventionists? Bring questions and/or your own wisdom and experiences to share in a deeper conversation around supporting families and children. Slippery Fish Co-op is centered around inclusion - 30-40% of our children have higher needs. We don't have all the answers, but we are here to support a broader conversation.

perimenopause 101

3:10-3:55

When it comes to perimenopause, there are LOTS of questions. What exactly is perimenopause? When does it start? How do I know if I am in perimenopause? How long does it last? Why are there SO MANY symptoms? What can I do to feel like myself again? If any of these questions resonate with you, be sure to join the Perimenopause 101 breakout session led by Jessica Long, Hormone Health Coach and founder of Belong Wellness. In this session, tailored for women in their late 30s – early 50s, Jessica will answer all of these questions and discuss how to alleviate your symptoms. Perimenopause can be confusing, challenging and frustrating. But, you are NOT alone and you don’t have to suffer. Join this workshop to learn what exactly is happening with your hormones, how you can alleviate your symptoms and gain a sense of belonging knowing that so many other women are experiencing what you are.