Thursday Afternoon Sessions
Desarrollando un Lenguaje Común Para Hablar Sobre el Cerebro y el Trauma
ORO Set 1: Understanding & Guiding Behavior
Presentado en español
El propósito de esta presentacion es brindar herramientas útiles para fortalecer la relación con niños y brindarles herramientas para aumentar su resiliencia a lo largo de sus vidas.
Exploraremos el trauma y comprenderemos cómo usar la perspectiva del trauma. Analizaremos la analogía del cerebro como un automóvil con ejemplos y escenarios. Aprenderemos la definición de Sintonía, aprenderemos los pasos de sintonía y, practicaremos cómo responder a la emoción que impulsa el comportamiento en vez de reaccionar ante él. Terminaremos la presentacion presentando estrategias valiosas de autocuidado para educadoras y profesionistas de cuidado infantil.
Intro to Pyramid Model
ORO Set 1: Human Growth & Development
Presented in English
Introduction to the Pyramid Model (OECI Standardized). This module introduces the Pyramid Model framework to participants. Participants will learn about the relationship of the Pyramid Model to prevention science, equity, inclusion, trauma-informed care, anti-bias practice and the use of data for decision-making, understanding child behavior, and the research that provides an evidence-base for the use of the Pyramid Model.
Las Sonrisas Saludables Comienzan Temprano: Promoviendo la Higiene Dental en la Primera Infancia (Edades 0–5)
ORO Set 2: Health, Safety & Nutrition
Presentado en español
Los participantes examinarán los hitos del desarrollo dental e investigarán los factores de riesgo que afectan la caries en la primera infancia. Demostrarán y practicarán rutinas de higiene bucal, diseñarán estrategias para el aula e implementarán enfoques de participación familiar culturalmente sensibles. Los educadores analizarán, elaborarán estrategias y planificarán para fomentar hábitos saludables que favorezcan la salud bucal de los niños en entornos de atención grupal.
Conversations that Motivate Children and Parents
ORO Set 2: Personal Professional & Leadership Development, Understanding & Guiding Behavior
Presented in English
Motivational Interviewing provides a conversational structure that enhances internal motivation for children and parents. The method of motivational interviewing is the result of nearly a century of research that seeks to understand styles, techniques, and strategies of communication that provide positive outcomes. Beginning in the field of addiction treatment, motivational interviewing has spread to every helping profession that values effective and efficient conversations about change and growth. After participation in this three-hour training, learners will be able to:
- Identify communication skills that create safety.
- Use evidenced-based methods to verbally de-escalate people in crisis.
- Understand how to respond supportively to challenging behaviors.
Creating Spaces That Inspire The Creative Curriculum Approach
ORO Set 2: Learning Environments & Curriculum
Presented in English
Discover how the learning environment shapes interactions between children and adults. Explore how classroom design influences behavior, engagement, and relationships—just as a fine dining experience differs from fast food. Learn to create intentional spaces that foster positive interactions, support learning, and enhance the overall classroom experience.
Examining Trauma's Developmental and Behavioral Impact and Practical Support Strategies
ORO Set 2: Human Growth & Development, Understanding & Guiding Behavior
Presented in English
Utilizing individual research, group work and discussion, this workshop will guide participants to examine various forms of trauma, how it impacts early brain development, the correlation between trauma and different behaviors, and what those behaviors communicate about student need. Based on this information, participants will develop a "toolbox" of techniques for navigating challenging behaviors that support trauma and healthy behaviors.
The objectives are:
- Participants will examine theories of the impact of trauma on healthy brain development.
- Participants will examine the relationship between trauma and challenging behaviors.
- Participants will develop a personal toolbox of trauma-responsive behavior guidance strategies to use in the care setting.
Is It Challenging Behavior? Listening to Children's Voices
ORO Set 2:Diversity, Understanding & Guiding Behavior
Presented in English
This workshop will address the misconceptions about "challenging behaviors" in young children, which are often influenced by outdated, biased practices in early childhood education. We will explore how these views are shaped by oppressive stories about different identities and work toward building more respectful and empowering relationships with children.
Language Why It Matters
ORO Set 1: Human Growth & Development
Presented in English
This training explores effective strategies to support early language development in infants and toddlers through both verbal and non-verbal communication. Participants will learn about self-talk, parallel talk, and narrating, and practice using these techniques to engage with young children in meaningful ways. In addition, the session provides practical strategies that families can use at home to foster strong language skills, building connections between classroom and family support.
Practical Teaching Tools for Cultivating Clear and Compassionate Discipline
ORO Set 2: Family & Community Systems, Understanding & Guiding Behavior
Presented in English
This session encourages reflection on teaching values and philosophies while exploring discipline strategies and identifying positive changes to current approaches.
Preschool Is For Mistakes
ORO Set 1: Understanding & Guiding Behavior
Presented in English
The goal of this workshop is to help early childhood educators embrace mistakes as valuable learning opportunities and guide children with empathy, patience, and connection. Teachers learn to see behaviors as part of normal development, using strategies like “connection before correction” and emotional coaching to build resilience, problem-solving skills, and emotional literacy. The training emphasizes creating judgment-free classrooms where children feel safe to explore, make mistakes, and try again. Discipline is framed as teaching—not punishment—focusing on prevention, clear expectations, and supportive responses that nurture social, emotional, and cognitive growth.
Sensory Smarts: Understanding & Supporting the Sensory Needs of Infants & Toddlers
ORO Set 3: Learning Environments & Curriculum, Special Needs
Presented in English
As educators, it’s important to know how little ones take in and respond to sights, sounds, touch, and more. In this workshop we’ll explore what sensory needs look like for infants/toddlers and share practical ways to support them every day. You’ll leave with fresh ideas and strategies for creating fun, sensory-friendly spaces.
We Belong! Making Plans for Inclusion in the Early Childhood Classroom: Prioritizing Access, Participation and Supports
ORO Set 2: Special Needs, Learning Environments & Curriculum
Presented in English
Visual supports mean using a picture or other visual item to communicate with a child who has difficulty understanding or using language. In this class participants will explore a variety of visual tools to use for children with autism, look at when it’s helpful, how to teach and use it and what to do when challenging behaviors arise.