Inclusive ECE Programs and Educator EQ: Strategies for Developing Teachers’ Emotional Intelligence, by Dr. Kristie Pretti-Frontczak

Sponsored by Brookes Publishing.

For many early educators, there is a strong desire to create learning environments that ensure all children have a sense of belonging. We dream daily that all children have equal rights and opportunities to be fully engaged in learning experiences that allow them to thrive, not only in school, but in life. For years, however, we've used our knowledge and skills about early development to try and increase inclusive practices. Let's be honest...it hasn't worked out that well. But what if we were to consider the role of emotional intelligence (EQ) in our efforts to deliver inclusive programs for children? What if a focus on strengthening the EQ of early educators was found to be the missing ingredient from our current recipes around policies that promote inclusion and professional development that supports inclusion?

In this webinar, presented by Dr. Kristie Pretti-Frontczak, we'll explore the role Emotional Intelligence plays in forming strong relationships with children with diverse abilities. Specifically, we’ll explore five practical strategies for raising the EQ of those desiring more inclusive and blended practices. The strategies are designed to increase self-awareness, self- regulation, social-awareness, situational-awareness, and spirituality. These five “EQ skills” are grounded in decades of research and cross discipline boundaries in terms of what we know to be necessary in changing habits and achieving a change in practice. The webinar will use a mixture of self-reflection, storytelling, and group discussion to better understand the role EQ plays in supporting all young children’s development and learning. Attendees will leave the webinar with a clear sense off their own EQ and will gain practical ways to strengthen their EQ (and the EQ of children) as they create learning environments that ensure all children can access, fully participate, and make progress toward important indicators of health and well-being.

Join this session to:

• Come to understand why EQ matters and the key skills associated with a strong EQ,

• Become more aware of their own EQ and how strong EQ will allow them to better respond to children's diverse needs,

• Revise their own mindset around inclusive early care and education,

• Express why strengthening EQ is a value of early care and education,

• Learn how to co-create and make sense/meaning from information shared.

All sessions are 1.5 hours long, and include a brief announcement from our sponsor. 2:oo PM – 3:30 PM Eastern Time. To ensure you receive confirmation and reminder emails, add [email protected] to your contacts list. If you do not receive your email confirmation, check your Spam or Junk mail folders in your email system. Can’t participate in our webinars at the appointed time? Never fear! All of the webinars are recorded. To view the recording, simply register now and you will receive an email with a link to the recording when it is ready to be viewed. You can still download the certificate by watching the recording to the end when the certificate link is announced and displayed on the screen.

Only 1,000 people at one time can attend our webinars, but registration often tops 4,000. Only the first 1,000 people to click the link to attend the webinar will be able to get in. We start the webinars 30 minutes in advance of the start time. Arrive early to make sure you get in.

Please be advised that you will only be eligible for the great door prizes if you participate in the live session.

You can earn .2 CEUs for each webinar. The cost is $15 paid to University of Oklahoma online when you apply. Learn more here: Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from University of Oklahoma See the schedule of upcoming webinars.