Convention 2024

Using Play to alleviate challenging Behaviors

10:25-12:05

This interactive training will focus on the stages and types of play that unfold in early childhood, the role of the brain in this process, and how play can be used to alleviate the challenging behaviors we see in our programs.

my body and others: sexual education for parents and teachers of young kids

10:25-12:05

Don't worry, this isn't the birds and bees talk your parents gave you in the '90s. Join me as we tackle the sometimes awkward, but always important, topic of sexual education. Together, we'll explore normal and abnormal behavior of children 0-6. Covering everything from answering curious questions to setting boundaries and handling those tricky 'What do I say when…' moments. Let's equip ourselves with the tools to support our kids' journey in understanding their bodies and relationships, both at home and in preschool, all while prioritizing their safety.

Supporting young children to Reduce stress, build RESILIENCE & Heal from trauma through play

10:25-11:10

Join Dr. Nicholson for an enlightening workshop exploring the transformative power of play to reduce stress, build resilience and support children impacted by trauma to heal. Discover how children tell us stories through their play communicating their experiences, emotions and what they need from their caregivers to feel safe and to cope through stress and adversity. Participants will gain insights into fostering attuned and responsive relationships through play, both at home and in early learning environments. Dr. Nicholson will offer practical examples of activities that support nervous system regulation, strengthen children’s resilience and build their social emotional development through play.

A Play filled approach to early literacy

10:25-11:10

Play is foremost self-chosen and self-directed. When we observe children's play, we can discover a myriad of ways to expand upon the early literacy work in which they engage while honoring the play. In this workshop, we will examine how we can follow children's lead to foster a passion for language, stories, and learning.

introduction to the be body positive model for educators and parents

10:25-11:10

Jessica Diaz France, LCSW is a licensed Be Body Positive facilitator who has worked with The Body Positive organization for over 23 years. The Be Body Positive Model is comprised of five Core Competencies, the fundamental skills we can practice on a daily basis to live peacefully and healthfully in our bodies. Proficiency with these skills allows us to care for ourselves from a place of self-love and appreciation, leading to alignment with our purpose and life goals. Our model defines health as the interconnectedness of physical, psychological, and emotional needs in human beings. The Competencies of Reclaim Health, Practice Intuitive Self-Care, Cultivate Self-Love, Declare Your Own Authentic Beauty, and Build Community establish foundational building blocks that honor individual authority as the primary path to positive change. Attendees will learn about the importance of modeling a loving and caring relationship to their body to the young children in their lives. Workshop will provide an overview of the Be Body Positive Model and lead participants in a few experiential exercises related to 1-2 Core Competencies.

Educaring® as a Foundation for Play and Lifelong Learning

11:20-12:05

An introduction to the Educaring® Approach to caregiving in the early years (0 - 6) with a focus on play as an essential element of human development. The lifelong benefits of practicing the Educaring principles of Time for Uninterrupted Play and Freedom to Explore, plus tips for providing an environment that invites and supports authentic, child-initiated play in the early years, will be shared along with a general overview of the Educaring Approach to parenting and caregiving as originated by Magda Gerber, founder of Resources for Infant Educarers® (RIE®).

*Please note this workshop is being offered twice!

risky play: What are the limits?

11:20-12:05

What is risky play, and what are the benefits for children? In this workshop, we will be discussing how to differentiate between a risk and a hazard, how to support teachers, parents, and children taking risks. We will provide some examples of how we’ve done it at our school and invite you to consider and discuss what risky play might look like in your space.

the biology of play: tools for regulating your nervous system to optimize play

11:20-12:05

Merrill Page, mother of four, founder of Earth Medicine Institute Taos, author of EARTH MEDICINE: A FIELD GUIDE, healing in seasons and cycles has practiced the art and science of nervous system regulation for 3 decades now. This workshop offers insights, inspirations and tools she has gathered as a mother and as a Craniosacral therapist to help parents and educators truly enjoy their play time with their children. She draws on research across systems including Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, psychology and biology to offer take-home practices that optimize your ability shift gears, drop-in and delight.

pelvic health in postpartum women: Common, not normal

11:20-12:05

A staggering 30-50% of women have various types of issues with the pelvic floor, ranging from leaking with sneezing, painful sex, pressure and pain, which are often ignored. As the pelvic floor muscles are actually part of the deep core, we need to break the stigma about this elusive topic. We need clarity about what is actually normal in terms of pelvic health, what isn't, and what your options are. Let's break barriers in the field of Women's Health, educate ourselves about normal bladder, bowel and sexual function- and start living our lives with the optimal health we deserve!

*Please note this workshop is being offered twice

beyond basic stem: strategies to grow young scientists by intergrating science, technology, engineering and math into regular preschool curriculum

1:55-3.35

Beyond Basic STEAM: Strategies to grow young scientists by integrating Science, Technology, Engineering and Math into regular preschool curriculum. Low tech, informational/inspirational blueprint and hands-on activities to thoughtfully integrate STEAM into your program, at your own pace.

positive discipline for preschoolers

1:55-3.35

Are you ready to explore the secrets to raising raising joyful, connected, and confident kids? Learn brain-based strategies that will empower you to set loving limits with ease. Aki will equip you with practical tools that you can implement immediately. Together, we'll tackle common behavioral issues head-on, and you'll have the opportunity to ask questions and create a personalized game-plan for your individual situation. You'll leave ready to tackle your biggest parenting challenges with confidence!

play with discipline - discipline with play: speak the language of children & children will follow yours

1:55-2:40

This is an insightful session exploring the dynamic relationship between play and discipline. We will delve into a young child's language of play and how it intersects with adults' efforts to support social, emotional, and intellectual development. You will gain practical strategies through engaging lectures, hands-on participation, and informative Q&A, aiming to implement a balanced approach. Come prepared to embrace the language of children and enhance your connection to foster positive behavior and create harmony for children, parents, and teachers.

emergent curriculum

1:55-2:40

Unlock the power of child-led free play in your curriculum development! While it's widely acknowledged that children learn through play, adults persistently use curriculum models that prevent it from happening in its freest form. In this workshop, discover how to use your observations of what children are already doing to shape and enrich your curriculum.

motivation matters: empowering preschoolers and their parents

1:55-2:40

Join this dynamic workshop for co-op parents and educators! We'll explore what motivates different people into action. Just remember, motivating kids is like trying to herd cats - sometimes you just need a little creativity! Through interactive activities, we'll uncover effective strategies for recognizing and using motivation, individually and in a group setting. Get ready to energize your approach so you can gain cooperation from the kids and empower your workday team.

Filling your schools & making a difference

1:55-2:40

Join us for a game-changing session as we revolutionize student enrollment! Dive deep into the incredible impact of authentic service. Through real-life examples and actionable strategies, we’ll explore the art of active listening, empathetic communication, and value-based engagement. Discover how our commitment to serving the educational community can transform the enrollment process for the better.

capoeira for preschoolers

2:50-3:35

Capoeira, a captivating Brazilian martial art seamlessly integrating dance, music, and combat, holds a special allure for children due to its multifaceted nature. Participating in consistent Capoeira practice offers significant benefits for children's psychomotor development, improving gross motor skills while nurturing a sense of community and connection through a distinctive repertoire of movements and songs. As children delve into Capoeira, they cultivate physical agility, coordination, and an appreciation for music, rhythm, and cultural traditions, contributing to their overall growth by providing an outlet for self-expression and an opportunity to embrace a vibrant cultural heritage. Come learn about engaging in this practice with young children while playfully exploring this unique form of movement yourself!

Educaring® as a Foundation for Play and Lifelong Learning

2:50-3:35

An introduction to the Educaring® Approach to caregiving in the early years (0 - 6) with a focus on play as an essential element of human development. The lifelong benefits of practicing the Educaring principles of Time for Uninterrupted Play and Freedom to Explore, plus tips for providing an environment that invites and supports authentic, child-initiated play in the early years, will be shared along with a general overview of the Educaring Approach to parenting and caregiving as originated by Magda Gerber, founder of Resources for Infant Educarers® (RIE®).

*Please note this workshop is being offered twice!

autism demystification

2:50-3:35

This workshop is a dive into our societies beliefs and perceptions around Autism Spectrum disorder and led by two co-op educators who specialize in ASD and are Autistic. This workshop is an introduction into unlearning harmful untruths, finding out what is true today, and how this might even change tomorrow.

pelvic health in postpartum women: Common, not normal

2:50-3:35

A staggering 30-50% of women have various types of issues with the pelvic floor, ranging from leaking with sneezing, painful sex, pressure and pain, which are often ignored. As the pelvic floor muscles are actually part of the deep core, we need to break the stigma about this elusive topic. We need clarity about what is actually normal in terms of pelvic health, what isn't, and what your options are. Let's break barriers in the field of Women's Health, educate ourselves about normal bladder, bowel and sexual function- and start living our lives with the optimal health we deserve!

*Please note this workshop is being offered twice

the benefits of five years of play

2:50-3:35

Wondering about TK? Discover how five years of developmentally appropriate, play-based schooling can effectively prepare your child to thrive in kindergarten and beyond.

the magic of process art

3:45-4:30

In this workshop, artist & educator, Cait Goss (they/she) will guide participants on an exploration of process art and the incredible power of open-ended creative play for the mind, the body, the heart, and the classroom community. The first part of this workshop will invite participants to explore various open-ended art projects. The second part of the workshop will share resources, activities, and the benefits of process art in the early childhood environment and beyond.

learn how to tap the pain away so we can play: eft tapping therapy for children, parents, and teachers

3:45-4:30

This workshop will teach a simple and effective technique to release stress from the mind and body. EFT (Emotional Freedom technique) can be used on yourself and your kids to regulate emotions and release stress and pain from the body so you are able to live the life you want to live. Over 100 clinical trials have shown that EFT is effective for anxiety, depression. PTSD, pain, phobias, and many physical diagnoses. EFT is able to rapidly reduce the emotional impact of memories and incidents that trigger emotional distress.

active play on a budget: risky play and basic gymnastics

3:45-4:30

Join us for an engaging and practical workshop designed for co-op teachers and parents!! Discover how to foster resilience, creativity, and physical fitness in children through risky play and basic gymnastics—all while working within shoestring budgets.

What You’ll Learn:

Understand the benefits of risky play. Explore basic gymnastics movements.

Get resourceful with low-cost equipment ideas.

Don’t miss this opportunity to empower young minds through play!

harmony in early learning: a purposeful playshop for parents and educators

3:45-4:30

"Harmony in Early Learning," is a playshop designed for those seeking to enrich the early childhood experience through playful music and movement practices. In this immersive playshop, participants will embark on a melodic and rhythmic journey that seamlessly integrates the world of music with purposeful play.