Designing Nature-Rich Spaces That Support Community Connection and Change, by Jeff Lindstrom and Heather Fox
Sponsored by Nature Explore It’s magical when nature and children come together, and what better place to make this happen than in the spaces where children spend their days? As early childhood programs make the shift to learning outdoors, comprehensive benefits include improved health and wellbeing, creative problem solving, and an increased connection to and care for the natural world. And yet, successful outdoor classrooms[…] Full Description
Co-regulation or Compliance? Supporting Teachers’ Use of Co-regulation Strategies With Children, by Prerna Richards
Sponsored by Procare Early childhood teachers are expert problem solvers. But often, they issue many instructions and demand compliance, missing the big opportunities to build regulation skills with children. This is where supervisors can have enormous influence in coaching teachers to refine their understanding and skills to refocus on social-emotional development. In this paradigm-shifting webinar, experienced early childhood coach and trainer Prerna Richards will shed[…] Full Description
Multicultural Tools & Strategies for Nature-Based Program Leaders, by Ashley Brailsford, Ph.D.
Sponsored by Unearthing Joy Together Operating nature-based programs centered on diverse cultural perspectives can be challenging but necessary to transform our early childhood spaces into inclusive places. Join Ashley Brailsford, founder of Unearthing Joy, for an overview of multicultural strategies and tools that create culturally centered curricula and programs. First, Ashley will share a multicultural curriculum approach to help you evaluate your programming. Then, we’ll[…] Full Description
Outdoor Loose Parts! Spark Creativity, Problem-Solving, Communication, and Self-Confidence With Loose Parts Play, by Rusty Keeler
Sponsored by Rusty Keeler Join natural playscape designer and author Rusty Keeler on a journey of ideas and inspiration, all about the benefits of adding Loose Parts to your outdoor environment to support children’s play and learning! From “beginner to best practice,” Rusty will teach you what the best materials are for Outdoor Loose Parts, where to find them in your own community, and how[…] Full Description
In the Heat of the Moment: Understanding Escalating Behaviors in Early Childhood, by Barbara Kaiser
Sponsored by Second Step We’ve all been there: A child is beginning to melt down or heat up! What do you do next? In the heat of the moment, has your response ever escalated a child’s challenging behavior? Children’s behavior can escalate quickly. Your feelings about that escalation can erupt just as quickly. De-escalation – helping children calm down – takes time and only happens[…] Full Description
Make Program Assessment a Superpower for Teachers and Administrators, by Lyneé Lopez
The prospect of program assessment often conjures up anxiety and fear for early childhood teachers and administrators. However, implementing program assessments like ECERs need not be so stressful. In fact, it can be approached with interest! Empowering yourself and the teachers in your program to fully understand what high-quality environments look like, how it’s measured, and the inside scoop on what an assessor is really[…] Full Description
Award-Winning Nature Books for Teachers, Children and Families in Your Program! by Betsy Bird, Martha Meyer and Bridget Petrites
Sponsored by Are you looking for great books to spark young children’s interest in nature, inspire impactful green actions for children to take, or looking for books to inspire nature-based STEM experiences for your program? This is the webinar for you! Join three experienced librarians with a passion for nature books to hear about the winners of the Blueberry Awards. The Evanston Public Library Blueberry[…] Full Description
Coaching Strategies that Empower Teachers to Lead From Within, by Jennifer Slavin, M.Ed. and Tasha Santistevan
Sponsored by The Child Care Success Company As an owner or program leader of an early childhood program, you might not realize the potential that lies within your staff. There is so much potential in the teams you have assembled! Teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the children’s learning environment and the culture and growth of the programs where they work. To reach their[…] Full Description
Nature-Based Learning: Inspiring & Supporting Staff to help children learn with nature, by Dr. Rachel A. Larimore
Sponsored by Samara Early Learning Early education program leaders around the world are becoming more enthusiastic about nature-based learning. Many leaders find themselves wanting to jump in wholeheartedly but find shifting the culture of their organization as well as the practices of individual teachers is incredibly challenging. But the reality is that change won’t happen unless staff are inspired and supported to make change. First,[…] Full Description
Supporting Teachers to use Learning Stories for Rich Documentation, Teaching, Learning, and Connection, by Sharon Carlson and Amanda Higgins
Sponsored by Storypark Be reinspired and energized to document children’s learning! Learning stories are a formative assessment tool that makes valued learning visible. Educators in New Zealand and globally use learning stories to find out about and document what children know and can do, what interests them, how they are progressing, and where additional support may be required. Learning Stories can also inform future planning[…] Full Description
