Early Childhood ConnectionsProfessional Development Catalog

April 2020Enriching the lives of children by working with the adults who affect their lives - parents, caregivers, and educators.

3645 Sturgis Road Suite #110Rapid City, SD 57702

605-342-64641-888-999-7759

www.earlychildhoodconnections.comwww.facebook.com/earlychildhoodconnections

From the Staff First, thank you for considering Early Childhood Connections as you seek professional development opportunities. We strive to offer a variety of opportunities, each appropriate to childcare providers of varying experience in the field. Our goal is to provide high quality, affordable classes that challenge and reward participants. Our staff are always willing to answer questions about classes you may be interested in, so feel free to call us. Here is some useful information for using this professional development catalog:

Registration: You may enroll in classes by emailing or calling Mary Schweitzer at mschweitzer@earlychildhoodconnections.com or 605-342-6464. If you have not already taken classes with us, you must fill out a Trainee Information form prior to registering for classes. Forms are available by request as well as on the inside back cover of this publication. Payment for all classes is required at the time of registration. Participants will be able to register 3 months of classes at a time. For example, in January you will be able to register for classes being held in January, February, and March; in July you will be able to register for classes being held in July, August, and September. Updates, additions and corrections to the professional development catalog will be sent out via email and posted on Facebook. The ECC office is closed on national and local holidays, but any classes that are scheduled on holidays will be held. Cancellation Policy: Students who are registered for a class will be billed regardless of their attendance. In order to avoid being billed for a class you cannot attend, you must call and cancel your registration. Cancellations are taken up to the time of the class. Cancellations by voice mail are acceptable if you are not able to reach the administrative staff after 5 PM on the night of the class. Classes will be cancelled during inclement weather if school is cancelled or dismissed early in the region of the class. Classes will also be cancelled if there is a power outage at the classroom facility or at the discretion of the instructor. If you are unsure whether classes are cancelled, you can call our office and listen for a message, watch the local TV stations for closure information or check our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/earlychildhoodconnections). E - Learning Guidelines: All E - learning registrations close 48 hours prior to training. Participants are not allowed to “double-up” on a computer; each participant must log in using their own computer. E - learning classrooms will close 5 minutes after the start of the class; students not already signed in will not be allowed to enter after that time. Due to technical difficulties, it is not recommended that you use smart phones or iPads to access E - learning classes. Participants must demonstrate attendance by participating in class polls and chats, as well as submitting three learning statements to receive credit for the class. A couple of other items to note about E - Learning classes: the Council for Professional Recognition does not accept online First Aid classes and they will not count them toward CDA renewal, providers licensed through the state of South Dakota must take their CPR courses in-person. We realize at times it is difficult to find childcare in the evenings. However, it is not appropriate to bring children to classes at Early Childhood Connections. Our learning environment is not designed to ensure the safety of children. It is also important that we are respectful of fellow students and the instructor. Please make other arrangements for your children while attending classes at Early Childhood Connections.

Please be aware that at this time we are not offering face to face classes. We keep the health and safety of our clients in staff when setting our calendar, and at this time, online classes are the only safe way to offer classes. We will be putting out a new calendar each month. Keep an eye on your email and on our Facebook page for more information!

Thank you again for considering Early Childhood Connections for your educational experiences. We look forward to working with you.

The Early Childhood Connections Teamwww.EarlyChildhoodConnections.com - www.Facebook.com/EarlyChildhoodConnections

Mini MasterpiecesJune 2020

Dahl Arts CenterEarly Childhood Connections will again collaborate with the Rapid City Arts Council for an exhibit titled “Mini Masters – A Children’s Art Exhibit” at the Dahl Arts Center. The Gallery

showing will be at the Dahl during the month of June. There will be a reception to open the show at the Dahl on Monday, June 8, 2020, from 5:00 – 7:00pm featuring the artists and their

artwork. Parents, teachers and community members are encouraged to attend.

ECC will collect art work from now until May 29. All art must be labeled with the child’s first name, age and childcare/preschool program that they attend. Art labels are available from ECC. Open-ended artwork using mixed media such as self portraits, clay, weaving, nature,

collage, photography, beading wire, painting, sculpting and theatre are encouraged.

ECC is available for Technical Assistance to aid programs with activity ideas and implementation!

ECC has MOVED!With the amount of growth that ECC has experienced in the last few years, we have outgrown our building on Jackson Boulevard, and have found a new location that will afford us the opportunity to host multiple face-to-face classes per evening, expand the number of offices for staff, and redo our resource library! We moved to the new location at the end of February.

Our new address is 3645 Sturgis Road Suite 110, Rapid City, SD 57702(The lower level of what was the Freed’s Building, now Black Hills Archery,

accessible from the West side of the building)

Directions: From Omaha St.: Follow Omaha St. West. Omaha will turn into W. Chicago St. Head West on W. Chicago St. Go straight through the intersection of W. Chicago and Sturgis Rd. Take the next right on Trail View Dr. just after Sturgis Rd. After passing the driveway for Rapid Regional Foot Clinic, turn right into the ECC parking lot.

From Main St.: Follow Main St. West. At the intersection where Main St. turns into Sturgis Rd., continue straight onto Sturgis Rd. Continue on Sturgis Rd. until the intersection with W. Chicago St. Take a left at the light onto W. Chicago St., then the next right onto Trail View Dr. After passing the driveway for Rapid Regional Foot Clinic, turn right into the ECC parking lot.

*Please do not park on Rapid Regional Foot Clinic Property*

The ECC Logo is Changing!In addition to moving our office in February, we are updated our look! The ECC logo has been redesigned to easily incorporate the programs that ECC offers: SD Region 1 ECE, Starting Strong, Responsive Parenting, Social Emotional Program and the SD Child Safety Seat Program.

ECC Added New Faces!

ECC is proud to introduce Jessi Beedle as our Infant/Toddler Specialist. Jessi started January 2020 and is here to provide training and technical assistance to any I/T provider!

ECC is proud to introduce Mary Schweitzer as our Office Manager. Mary started in sum-mer 2019, and is the friendly voice you most often hear when calling ECC!

SOUTH DAKOTA QUALITY RATING IMPROVEMENT SYSTEM

(QRIS) ClassesCLASS SERIES & TITLES DATES OFFERED CLASS TIMEIns & Outs of Lesson Planning:1. Lesson Plan Basics, 2. Developing & Creating Lesson Plans 3. Using Child Interests, Themes & Projects, 4. Purposeful Activities

February (2/4, 2/11, 2/18, 2/25)June (6/1, 6/8, 6/15, 6/22)October (10/5, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26)

6:30 to 8:00 PM

Family Childcare Best Practices1. Purposeful Planning: Healthy & Safe Environments2. Relationship Building 3. Developmentally Appropriate Learning Activities4. Professional & Business Practices

February (2/4, 2/11, 2/18, 2/25)August (8/4, 8/11, 8/18, 8/25)

6:30 to 8:30 PM

Family Childcare Entry Level1. Keeping it Healthy & Safe, 2. What Children Need to Learn & Grow3. It All Begins with Relationships, 4. The Business of Family Childcare

Apr/May (4/28, 5/5, 5/12, 5/19)November (11/3, 11/10, 11/17, 11/24)

6:30 to 8:00 PM

Early Learning Guidelines1. Approaches to Learning2. Social & Emotional Development3. Communication, Language & Literacy4. Cognitive, Health & Physical Development

January (1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30)May (5/5, 5/12, 5/19, 5/26)August (8/6, 8/13, 8/20, 8/27)October (10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29)

6:30 to 8:00 PM

Infant/Toddler Entry Level1. Ages of Infancy, 2. Social Emotional Development: Understanding Temperament3. How Young Children Learn: Appropriate Environments, 4. Health & Safety

March (3/3, 3/10, 3/17. 3/24)July (7/9, 7/16, 7/23, 30)November (11/3, 11/10, 11/17, 11/24)

6:30 to 8:00 PM

Infant/Toddler Social Emotional Foundations for Learning1. Importance of Relationships2. Creating Supportive Environments & Routines3. Social Emotional Teaching Strategies4. Supporting Children’s Success

January (1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30)April (4/7, 4/14, 4/21, 4/28)August (8/5, 8/12, 8/19, 8/26)

6:30 to 8:00 PM

Infant/Toddler Best Practice1. Continuity of Care in Small Groups2. Cultural Diversity: Partnerships with Parents3. Responsive Care & Inclusion4. Planning Their Day: Routines, Schedules, Transitions

February (2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27)September (9/1, 9/8, 9/15, 9/22)

6:30 to 8:30 PM

Management Training1. Management Fundamentals, 2. Fiscal Fundamentals3. Human Resource Fundamentals, 4. Power of Partnerships

Feb/Mar (2/24, 3/2, 3/9, 3/16)July (7/7, 7/14, 7/21, 7/28)October (10/7, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28)

6:30 to 8:00 PM

Out of School Time (OST) Best Practice1. Building Relationships with Communities, Families & Schools2. Observation, Assessment & Inclusion3. Developmentally Appropriate Planning & Curriculum4. Guidance & Behavior Management

March (3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26)Sep/Oct (9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/5)

6:30 to 8:30 PM

Out of School Time (OST) Entry Level1. Child Growth & Development, 2. Program Health & Safety3. Fostering Learning Environments, 4. Behavior Management & Guidance

June (6/4, 6/11, 6/18, 6/25)December (12/1, 12/3, 12/8, 12/10)

6:30 to 8:00 PM

Preschool Best Practices1. Best Practices in Cultural Diversity2. Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum3. The Role of Observation, Documentation & Assessment4. Appropriate Guidance & Promoting Behavior

April (4/2, 4/9, 4/16, 4/23)December (12/7, 12/10, 12/14, 12/17)

6:30 to 8:30 PM

Preschool Entry Level1. Child Growth & Development, 2. Behavior Management & Guidance3. Program Health & Safety, 4. Social Interactions & Learning Environments

May (5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28)September (9/3, 9/10, 9/17, 9/24)November (11/2, 11/9, 11/16, 11/23)

6:30 to 8:00 PM

Preschool Social Emotional Foundations for Learning1. Importance of Relationships, 2. Environment, Routines & Strategies3. Social Emotional Teaching Strategies, 4. Supporting Children’s Success

March (3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26)June (6/3, 6/10, 6/17, 6/24)October (10/1, 10/8, 10/15, 10/22)

6:30 to 8:00 PM

POSTPONED

2020 Starting Strong

9th Annual Breakfast

P L E AS E MAR K Y OU R C AL E N D AR S

F OR F R I D AY , AP R I L 2 3 , 2 0 2 1

Same Speaker,

Same Location,

Different Date!

Rachel GianniniChildhood Specialist &

No Small Matters Advocate

Rushmore Plaza Holiday Inn505 N. Fifth St. Rapid City, SD

Please Note: All 2020 Sponsorship money will go directly to StartingStrong Scholarships. Our 2020 Sponsors will still receive publicrecognition via our Facebook page. Even though our 2020 Breakfastwas postponed, it does not mean that learning is. We hope you willstill consider giving to our great cause of helping children start early,so they can START STRONG!

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday1 2

QRIS Preschool Best Practices Series 1

3 4

5 6 7QRIS Infant/Toddler Social Emotional Foundations for

Learning Series 1

8

Infant and Toddler Art

9

QRIS Preschool Best Practices Series 2

10 11

12

Easter

13

Intentional Teaching

14

QRIS Infant/Toddler Social Emotional Foundations for

Learning Series 2

15 16Lean on Me: Helping Children & Families

through Disruptive Change

QRIS Preschool Best Practices Series 3

17 18

19 20

Germs, Germs Go Away!

21QRIS Infant/Toddler Social Emotional Foundations for

Learning Series 3

22

Student’s Work Displayed

23

QRIS Preschool Best Practices Series 4

24 25

26 27 28 QRIS Family Childcare

Entry Level Series 1

QRIS Infant/Toddler Social Emotional Foundations for

Learning Series 4

29 Lunchtime Learning: Family Style Dining

Pyramid Model: Helping Children Manage Their

Own Behaviors

30

April 2020 Professional Development Opportunities

DateDay

Time

Location &Instructor

Child’s Age & Provider

Level

Class DescriptionPathways Category

QRIS Preschool Best Practices Series ($20)April 2, 9, 16 & 23,

2020 Thursdays

6:30 to 8:30 PM

Online StatewideRegion 5

3 - 5 YearsBeginner

Explore best practices for cultural diversity, developmentally appropriate curriculum, observation & assessment, and behavior guidance in a

preschool setting. Pathways: 3, 4, 10 & 12CDA Category: CDA08 Understanding Principles of Child Development

& LearningQRIS Infant/Toddler Social Emotional Foundations for Learning Series ($20)

April 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2020

Tuesdays6:30 to 8:00 PM

Online Statewide

Jessi Beedle

0 - 3 YearsBeginner

Social emotional development begins at birth and continues throughout life, providing a foundation for meaningful relationships and learning. Join us as

we explore typical social emotional development. Pathways: 3. Guidance & Behavior Management

CDA Category: CDA03 Supporting Children’s Social & Emotional DevelopmentInfant and Toddler Art ($5)

April 8, 2020Wednesday

9:00 to 11:00 AM

OnlineJessi Beedle

0 - 3 YearsAll Levels

So much can be learned through the process of art. In this class, we will be focusing on how to create that learning experience for infants and toddlers.

This class is full of tips and tricks to limiting frustrations for the teachers and creating beautiful child-directed project results.

Pathways: 12. Age Appropriate PlanningCDA Category: CDA01 Planning a Healthy & Safe Learning Environment

Intentional Teaching ($5)April 13, 2020

Monday6:30 to 8:00 PM

OnlineAndrea Neff

All AgesIntermediate

Is your teaching intentional? How do you know that you are being intentional? In this class, participants will learn the “How” and “Why” of

intentional teaching, learn best practices for intentional teaching and be able to explain the difference between adult-guided and child-guided learning.

Pathways: 11. Learning EnvironmentsCDA Category: CDA01 Planning a Health & Safe Learning Environment

Register for classes by emailing mschweitzer@earlychildhoodconnections.com or calling 605-342-6464

April 2020 Professional Development OpportunitiesDateDay

Time

Location &Instructor

Child’s Age & Provider

Level

Class DescriptionPathways Category

Lean On Me: Helping Children and Families through Disruptive Change ($5)April 16, 2020

Thursday6:30 to 8:00 PM

OnlineSunni Toczek

All AgesBeginner

All programs deal with change in the lives of young children in their care. Changes can be disruptive to a child’s emotional competence and can create

stress for teachers. This class explores how teachers can effectively communicate and collaborate with families as well as provide support for

healthy social and emotional expression in the classroom. Pathways: 14. Partnerships with Parents CDA Category: CDA04 Strategies to

Establish Productive Relationships with FamiliesGerm, Germ Go Away ($5)

April 20, 2020Monday

6:30 to 8:00 PM

OnlineAndrea Neff

3 - 5 YearsIntermediate

Are you having a hard time with children not following class guidelines of hand-washing, or staying within their space? In this online training, you will

learn creative ways to promote healthy hygiene within your classroom.Pathways: 6. Program Safety

CDA Category: CDA01 Planning a Safe & Healthy Learning EnvironmentStudent’s Work Displayed ($5)

April 22, 2020Wednesday11:00 AM to

1:00 PM

OnlineJessi Beedle

All AgesAll Levels

Displaying kids’ art in the classroom gives students ownership of the space. As teachers, we are always searching for more space to do this and how to do it in creative, beautiful ways. In this class, you will be given a variety of ways

to do just that.Pathways: 11. Learning Environments

CDA Category: CDA01 Planning a Safe & Healthy Learning EnvironmentQRIS Family Childcare Entry Level Series ($20)

April 28, May 5, 12 & 19, 2020 Tuesdays

6:30 to 8:00 PM

Online StatewideRegion 3

All AgesBeginner

Join us to explore basic health & safety practices, supporting growth & development, respectful & responsive individualized care, and basic business & management practices for your family day program. Pathways: 1, 6, 8 & 9

CDA Category: CDA08 Understanding Principles of Child Development & LearningLunchtime Learning: Family Style Dining (FREE)

April 29, 2020Wednesday

Noon to 1:00 PM

OnlineSunni Toczek

All AgesAll Levels

Explore ways to enrich meal times for young children. Learn the benefits of using family style dining to build relationships, teach self-help, independence

skills, and promote healthy habits. Pathways: 7. Nutrition for ChildrenCDA Category: CDA01 Planning a Safe & Healthy Learning Environment

Pyramid Model: Helping Children Manage Their Own Behavior ($5)April 29, 2020

Wednesday6:30 to 8:30 PM

OnlineCarole Foster

3 - 5 YearsIntermediate to Advanced

Self-management strategies encourage children to engage in appropriate behavior. This class will explore what self-management is and how to

facilitate it with children. Pathways: Guidance and Behavior Management CDA Category: CDA03 Supporting Children’s Social & Emotional Development

Be PreparedBe on time and come prepared to engage.

Stay PresentOnline class time is important. Polls and discussion questions will measure your engagement. You must participate for full credit.

Measure Your GrowthBe sure to participate in the PreTest, PostTest and Evaluation. We want to see you grow as a professional, and this is a way to measure that growth.

FeedbackWe want to know how you feel. Please provide feedback on your evaluation form about how the training experience was for you.

ECC ONLINE CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE

Meet the ECC Staff:Jessi Beedle - Infant/Toddler Specialist - jbeedle@earlychildhoodconnections.comJessi works with infant and toddler caregivers in the area, providing technical assistance, coaching, and training. She also coordinates the Bright Start Responsive Parenting Series, oversees the Mini Masters art show, and manages fitCare trainings and related technical assistance.

Mary Schweitzer - Office Manager - mschweitzer@earlychildhoodconnections.comMary is responsible for childcare referral parent inquiries and provides car seats for parents through the state car seat program. Mary is the primary contact person for the ECC office, and assists providers with registering for training opportunities.

Carole Foster - Social Emotional Specialist - cfoster@earlychildhoodconnections.comCarole specializes in mental health wellness, which focuses on the social and emotional well-being for young children, their caregivers, and the various contexts within which care giving takes place.

Janessa Bixel - Professional Development Specialist - jbixel@earlychildhoodconnections.comJanessa works with preschool and school-age providers. Janessa is the Region 1 CDA coordinator. She serves as a CDA Professional Development Coordinator for The Council of Professional Recognition, is a Certified Pre-K CLASS Observer, and is an instructor for ECE classes.

Sunni Toczek - Family Support Specialist - stoczek@earlychildhoodconnections.comSunni works with the families of children in childcare in our region. She acts as a go-to resource and liaison to other resources in the area for parents with young children. She works closely with Starting Strong to give families the best experience possible. Sunni is a certified Pre-K CLASS and TPOT Observer.

Andrea Neff - Education Support Specialist - aneff@earlychildhoodconnections.comAndrea helps meet the needs of the Starting Strong Rapid City program. She is responsible for coordinating with Starting Strong Preschool Program Directors and teachers to ensure that assessments, screenings, curriculums, and quality all meet the high standards of Starting Strong. Andrea is a certified Pre-K CLASS Observer.

Joe Doyle - Information/Technology Specialist - jdoyle@earlychildhoodconnections.comJoe maintains the Early Childhood Connections computers and software, company electronic devices, company vehicles, training database, social media platforms and website. Joe designs the brochures, flyers and course catalogs for both Early Childhood Connections and Starting Strong Rapid City. Joe also assists with live broadcast trainings and other video productions.

Autumn Gregory - Executive Director - agregory@earlychildhoodconnections.comAutumn oversees the operations of Early Childhood Connections and Starting Strong, and is the Region 1 coordinator for the SD Early Childhood Enrichment System. Her responsibilities include grant administration, fiscal overview and staff management.

ECC Promoting Social Emotional Competence Project

The purpose of the Early Childhood Connections Promoting Social Emotional Competence Project is to support early childhood programs and families in an effort to prevent and/or limit expulsion and suspension practices in early childhood settings due to challenging behaviors. Currently, the project provides services in the Rapid City, Spearfish, Deadwood/Lead, Hot Springs, Custer and Hill City areas. Our goal is to assist programs in accessing technical assistance, coaching and training to increase the early childhood provider’s ability to manage difficult behaviors, and provide families with access to mental health services.

Program Services Include: - Technical Assistance/Coaching and Training - Environmental Observation - Assistance with Writing Policies - Developmental Assessment - Parent Services - Kindergarten Readiness

For more information, contact Early Childhood Connections at (605) 342-6464.

Early Childhood Connections Trainee Information Form

Full Legal Name: __________________________________ Date Completed: _____________

Address: _______________________________________________________________________

City: ____________________________ State: _____________________ Zip: ___________

Home Phone: ____________ Cell Phone: ____________ Pathways ID: _________________

Email: _________________________________ Work Email: ___________________________

Place of Employment: _____________________________ Work Phone: _________________

Start Date: ___________________ Employer Type: Childcare Center Group Family Childcare

Employment Type: Full Time Family Childcare - RegisteredPart Time Family Childcare - Unregistered Seasonal Out of School Time Care

Other Average Hours of Work per Week: Less than 10 Hours

10-20 Hours Position Type: Employee 20-30 Hours Owner 30-40 Hours Volunteer 40 Hours

Position Title: Assistant Teacher Age of Children You Work with: 0-1 Years Lead Teacher (Choose All That Apply) 1-2 Years Teacher/Director 2-3 YearsDirector 3-4 YearsAdministration 4-5 YearsSupport Staff (Cook, Driver, etc) 5-6 YearsFamily Childcare 6-13 YearsFamily Childcare Assistant Home Visitor Other: _____________________________

I, __________________, give permission to Early Childhood Connections to release information regarding my student records upon request to employees of the SD Department of Social Services, Division of Child Care operating in their official capacity and to my program director of record (if any).

Student Signature: ______________________________ Date: ________________________

Please send this form to Mary Schweitzer at mschweitzer@earlychildhoodconnections.com or fax to 605-394-0153.

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Please send this form to Mary at mschweitzer@earlychildhoodconnections.com or fax to 605-394-0153.

Early Childhood Connections2218 Jackson Blvd. Ste. #4Rapid City, SD 57702605-342-64641-888-999-7759

Thank you for considering Early Childhood Connections when seeking quality, affordable professional development opportunities for your program. We feel this

catalog includes many diverse opportunities to expand your knowledge in the childcare field.

Early Childhood Connections is located at 3645 Sturgis Rd Ste 110 Rapid City, SD 57702. Our office is located on the West side of the building in the lower level.

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