conference

the 5th Annual

Saturday, April 16, 2016Breakfast & Registration beginning at 8:00 am

Blue Ridge Community College’s Technology Education and Development Center186 E Campus Dr., Flat Rock, NC 28731

where:

childrenandfamily.org

featuring

How Nature Cultivates Creativity in Young Minds

Nature Play

conference

8:00 - 9:00 ............Breakfast & Registration9:00 - 10:30..........Welcome & Keynote10:30 - 10:45..........Break10:45 - 12:15..........Morning Breakout Sessions 12:15 - 1:00 ............Lunch1:00 - 2:30 ...........Afternoon Breakout Sessions

schedule:

Thanks to our sponsors!

Registration: $35 Early Bird Registration: $30 ends March 4th.

Breakfast and lunch included. 4.5 Training Credits offered.Online Registration Available!

information:

EDUCATION CLUB

Registration closes on Friday, April 8th, 2016 at 5:00pm.

keynote:Learning in the Natural World: How Nature Supports the Development of Young Children

Dee Smith, University of Vermont

This keynote address will discuss how the natural world offers young children many opportunities for learning which indoor environments cannot duplicate. Nature offers a breadth of choice and diversity that support creative thinking, curiosity, and genuine care for all living things. Learning that takes place in this environment can result in a curriculum that is both authentic and challenging for children. Participants are invited to consider the many ways this can empower children as they learn alongside others, and how these experiences can invite educators to rethink their classroom environment.

Dee Smith and Jeanne Goldhaber are joining us from the University of Vermont where Dee Smith both lectures and serves as the Pedagogical Leader at Campus Children’s School, and Jeanne Goldhaber is Associate Professor. They have passionately explored how the natural world supports children’s development and teacher’s practice with children. Their work has been featured in a variety of publications, and they have co-authored a book. They will also be offering a morning breakout session during the conference designed specifically for teachers of one to three year olds.

9:00 (following breakfast)Training credit offered.

Preparing Every Child For Success Smart Start Rewards

Helps early educators take classes and pursue a degree

Smart Start Quality Enhancement Provides trainings and technical assistance

for early educators and directors

Dolly Parton Imagination Library Increases access to books and parent child reading

laying the foundation for children to be strong readers

Parents as Teachers Nurtures child development by supporting parents

Child Care Subsidy Provides high quality care for young children

Reach Out and Read Partners with doctors to encourage parent child reading

To register or ask questions, contact Smart Start!828 693 1580 • www.smartstarthc.org

722 5th Avenue West, Hendersonville, NC 28739

Co-speaker: Jeanne Goldhaber, University of Vermont

morning sessions:1.5 hour Sessions (10:45 - 12:15)

Do you ever wonder how something works or is made? Do you ever hear your students asking questions about the world around them? Often our youngest learners are the most inquisitive, curious learners. To get to the heart of teaching science, we must foster and nurture that sense of won-der. Instead of leaving them thinking it’s just “magic”, let’s show them the magic of science!

Whole Group, Small Group, Hands-On - P, SA,

Science Isn’t MagicBetsie Stockslager, Early Childhood Specialist, Asheville City Schools

B

Play is the pathway to learning for young children. Though we all may believe these words, how we act on them and how we enhance children’s play experiences may be vastly different. What is the role of the teacher? How can teachers not only support children’s interests but enrich their learning by using observations as a way to make changes in the environment and the child’s thinking? This workshop will look at a cycle of ideas generated through close observation of children’s play explorations and their understanding of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Lecture - T, YP, A,

The Construction of Play: Teachers as Powerful ResearchersDee Smith, University of VermontJeanne Goldhaber, University of Vermont

A

Just as infants and toddlers need positive adult contact, they also need positive contact with nature. Being in nature offers these little ones a matchless sense of wonder. The environment to which children are exposed will affect the quality and type of play in which they engage. In order to give authentic, hands-on opportunities to infants and toddlers that are experiential and worthwhile, we must understand the importance of play in the outdoor environment. Join us as we learn how to merge NC Foundations with the outdoor learning environment, look at ways to keep children safe while playing outdoors, and learn ideas that will inspire the creation of exciting natural learning experiences for the children in your care.

Lecture, Handouts, and Discussion - I, T, A,

How Nature Inspires Infant & Toddler Development through PlayVanessa Gilliam, Family Child Care Home Provider, Nessa’s Young’uns Child Care for Infants & Toddlers

D

This session seeks to examine the deep learning experiences that can be obtained in outdoor spaces. It highlights the various ways teachers and directors can use the outdoors to meet the developmental guide-lines required by state and licensing regulations. Utilizing a construc-tivist approach to learning that encourages childhood exploration and the creative use of loose parts, teachers will learn practical methods that will help transform the outdoors into a beneficial extension of the classroom.

Handouts, Prezi presentation - T, P, A,

Cutting Loose: Integrating Constructivist Outdoor Learning with NC FoundationsJonathan Williams, Assistant Center Manager, Verner Center for Early Learning

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Key: I - Infants, T - Toddlers, YP - Young Preschool, P - Preschool, SA - School Age, A - Administrators, - Session is aligned with NC Foundations

Children have a strong disposition to explore and discover. Join us as we explore the Project Approach, a process that embraces that discovery process to build on experiences that may extend beyond the classroom walls. Your role as teacher will shift in a way that will allow the children to follow a fascinating journey of inquiry, discovery, and understanding. We will discuss the 3 unique phases and how they should be implemented, take time to practice planning instructional strategies, and enhance strategies to promote family and community engagement, allowing you to promote an effective Project Study in your classroom.

Mini-Lecture, Group Dialogue and Planning, Video, Demonstration, Discussion T, P, SA, A,

Let’s Talk Project Approach Tanya Dennis, Early Learning Playologist and Trainer, The Purple Door Mission

F

Being a teacher is one of the most rewarding careers anyone can have, and it can also be very stressful! We can increase our well-being and resiliency through mindfulness, which is simply learning to pay attention to our experiences with kindness. Join us and learn how to practice mindfulness for your own self-care, and how to share the practice of mindfulness with your students as part of their social-emotional development.

Handouts, Lecture, Activities, Video - P,

Taking a Breath: Bringing Mind-fulness into the Classroom Lucy MacGregor, Teacher, Rainbow Community School

E

This presentation will address how children who are impacted by child abuse and neglect may function in the classroom as it relates to their cognitive, social-emotional, and language development. We will examine how to identify and understand trauma symptoms among young children in the early childhood setting, garner information that will assist in recognizing the signs of trauma in children, and understand the process for making appropriate mental health referrals for mental health evaluation and trauma assessment.

Lecture, Case Vignettes, Video, Group Discussion - I, T, P, SA, A,

Impact of Trauma on the Devel-opment of Young Children Mary Wise, LCSW, Clinical Faculty and Bilingual TherapistElizabeth Jones, MSW, Program ManagerNC Child Treatment Program at the Center for Child and Family Health

G

As an Early Childhood Professional, many types of children fill your days. Some of those children may have identified medical needs, and all children have their own challenges that they are growing through. Your job is to help each child succeed in the way that makes sense for them. This session will provide an overview of developmentally appropriate practices that will help you develop an inclusive learning environment where all children can fully participate. Emotional and Behavioral disabilities, the related behavior, and how that behavior may present itself in the classroom will be addressed. Strategies will be offered for how to help each child succeed, and opportunity for group discussions will be provided!Handouts, Small and Large Group Discussion, Lecture - P,

All Children Have Special NeedsDr. Susan Stigall, Chair, Education Department, Mars Hill University

H

Register early as sessions will fill up quickly.Take advantage of Early Bird registration and save!

Relearn leadership qualities by reliving childhood memories. The book, ToyBox Leadership, by authors Ron Hunter, Jr. and Michael E. Waddell teaches leadership skills and business strategies using familiar childhood memories. This session will delve into clearing away the clutter and getting back to the basics of good management and quality leadership while playing and rediscovering some of our favorite “old school” toys.

Handouts, Small Group, Lecture, Discussion - A

ToyBox LeadershipDenise Purcell, Executive Director, St. James School for Little Folks

I

Register early as sessions will fill up quickly.Take advantage of Early Bird registration and save!

Key: I - Infants, T - Toddlers, YP - Young Preschool, P - Preschool, SA - School Age, A - Administrators, - Session is aligned with NC Foundations

The natural environment facilitates children’s ability to expand their sense of wonder and helps children to connect with nature. During this presentation you will participate in hands-on activities involving the natural environment. You will learn how to encourage preschool children to use nature’s materials to enhance their natural ability to discover the world around them.

Handouts, Hands-on Activities, Discussion - P, A,

Let’s Return to Nature: Helping Children Connect with their Outdoor SurroundingsBonnie Mathis & Kara Jones, Child Care Consultants, Division of Child Development and Early Education

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afternoon sessions:1.5 hour Sessions (1:00 - 2:30)

Infant and Toddler learning and development is rapid the first years of life. This workshop will share with you how to individualize instruction to support children 6 weeks to 2 years. You will learn how to K.I.S.S. to promote the 3 R’s while engaging families and promoting school readiness! We will review the brain and child development of the first 2 years, address effective curriculum planning for children birth to two years of age, discuss ways to enhance strategies to promote family engagement, and practice individualized planning.

Mini-Lecture, Demonstration, Group dialogue and planning, Discussion - I, T, A,

Constructing Curriculum for Infants & ToddlersTanya Dennis, Early Learning Playologist and Trainer, The Purple Door Mission

L

Group time can be a central part of the day for any preschool classroom. It can be a chance to build a sense of community, to introduce and reinforce new ideas and learning goals and to invest in children’s social-emotional development. Or, group time can be a painful time of each day, filled with frustration, monotony, or chaos. Let’s explore ways to make this daily routine both meaningful AND enjoyable!

Video Examples, Lecture, Discussion, Handouts - P,

Beyond Calendar & Weather Bear: Making the Most of Classroom Group TimeMegan Hughes, Professional Development Coordinator, Buncombe Partnership for Children

M

This session examines ways children engage in and benefit from outdoor play, and how child care professionals can enrich those experiences. Using approaches employed in the playwork profession, participants will explore open-ended creative ways to encourage and expand opportunities for exploration and play in nature. Playful approaches to learning stimulate the imagination, nourish inquiry, support flexibility and refine the ability to think with increasing complexity, creativity, and reflexivity; simultaneously affording opportunities for social engagement with others

Lecture, Group Work, Hands-on Activities, Discussion, Handouts - T, P, SA, A,

Playful Pedagogy: Approaches to Play & Learning in NatureRonda Hawkins, Coordinator/Professor, Early Childhood Education, Sandhills Community CollegeLinda Kinney, Education Specialist/Manager Playful Pedagogy, NC Zoological Park

K

This session for Directors/Program Administrators will take a look at all the many hats we wear, the challenges we face, and how we can support ourselves while doing the best for our program and staff. We will look at the Program Administration Scale (PAS) as our recipe for success, and how it can help us with overall program quality, tackling the issues, managing staff and sustaining our sanity! Come network, share and learn with other Directors & Administrators who can relate and speak the same language!

Handouts, Lecture, Group Work, Discussion, Power Point, Ice Breakers - A

From Burnout to Breakout: An Overview of the PAS for Success!Chris Tucker, Center Manager, Verner Center for Early Learning

Q

Do you know how child care voucher market rates are determined and the pivotal role you play? Join us for this in depth look at how the federal, state, and local funding and decision-making that create the child care subsidy program (also known as vouchers) functions. We will examine disparities in the market rates across the state, discuss the impact of eligibility changes, and learn how to be effective advocates for improvements.

Lecture, Handouts, Group work, Discussion - A

Paying for Child Care: Where do Child Care Vouchers Come from & Why Does it Matter?Greg Borom, Director of Advocacy, Children First/Communities in Schools of Buncombe

R

Working with two-year-olds can be exhausting! In this workshop we will look at what gives them the reputation of being the “terrible twos” and what we can do to move beyond day-to-day survival. Whether you work with toddlers, twos, or threes, this workshop will give you a strong framework for how to navigate free play in a way that doesn’t lead to tears, stress, and chaos.

Handouts, Discussion, Lecture, Group Activities - T, P,

Trouble with the Twos: Classroom Management from Toddlers to Threes Stacy Lutz, Assistant Director, Children and Friends

N

Join us for this informative lecture that discusses the characteristics of autism, behavioral strategies to use in a childcare setting, and how to address developmental concerns with parents and guardians.

Lecture, Handouts, Discussion - T, P,

This training explains trauma and the ACE (Adverse Childhood Events) study, explains parts of the brain and how it is impacted by trauma, and begins the conversation about opportunities to build resiliency in ourselves, the people we work with, and in our communities. Not only does trauma change the brain, so do positive experiences!

Video, Lecture - I, T, P, SA, A ,

Autism: Addressing Behavioral Concerns in a Child Care SettingHannah Roy, MS BCBA, Senior Program Coordinator, St. Gerard House

Trauma and Resiliency Marilyn Kaylor, Community Outreach Specialist, Smoky Mountain LME/MCO

O

P

Register early as sessions will fill up quickly.Take advantage of Early Bird registration and save!

Key: I - Infants, T - Toddlers, YP - Young Preschool, P - Preschool, SA - School Age, A - Administrators, - Session is aligned with NC Foundations

name:registration:

workplace:

address:

phone:

email:

dietaryrestrictions

vegetarian gluten-free

morning breakout session choices:

Early Bird Registration: (Ends March 4th)

Early Packet Pickup:Wednesday, April 13from 11:00am - 7:00pmThursday, April 14from 2:00 - 7:00pmFriday, April 15from 10:00am - Noon

Location:The Children & Family Resource Center851 Case StreetHendersonville, NC 28792

Registration:(Ends April 8th)

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please rank your

choices from 1 to 4:

(1 being your first choice, 4

your last)

All registration information must be completed. Registration fee is non-refundable.Payment must be included with registration. We will not invoice or bill.

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conference

afternoon breakout session choices:

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nonecounty:

please rank your

choices from 1 to 4:

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your last)

Come & visit our

EarlyLearningCenter!

childrenandfamily.org

Membership Fees:

20.00$per year

Be sure to check your registration bag at

the Conference for a

Contact Noreen at 698-0674 ext.110 for Center discounts.

5$ OFFcoupon.

A resource library for parents, teachers and early childhood educators that provides developmentally appropriate educational materials for teaching and engaging young children.

Our library includes:• Children’s books• Videos & DVDs• Childcare & Parenting reference materials• Age-appropriate learning kits• Production area to help you make books, bulletin boards and learning materials.

Library Hours of Operation:Mon & Fri, 9 am – 5 pmTues, Wed, Thurs, 9 am – 7 pm (closes at 5pm on 3rd Thursday)Saturday 9 am – 1 pm

Located at the Children & Family Resource Center 851 Case Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792

828.698.0674childrenandfamily.org

Providing Services for the Early Childhood Professionals of Henderson CountyYour Henderson County CCR&R Team is available to assist Administrators and Teachers with a variety of needs including:• Providing Coaching & Consulting around: • Language and Literacy Development • Kindergarten Readiness • Concept & Critical Thinking Skills • STEM Development • Transitions & Routines • Sanitation, Health & Safety • Behavior Intervention • Emotional and Social Development • Environmental Rating Scales • Using an Approved Curriculum • Lesson Planning • Developmentally Appropriate Practice

• Professional Development Advisement• Ongoing Continuing Education Trainings• Family Engagement• Networking with other professionals in the field• And more!

For similar services in your county, please contact:Buncombe: Buncombe Partnership for Children - 828-285-9333Madison: Madison County Partnership for Children & Families - 828-689-1528Western NC: Southwestern Child Development Commission - 828-354-0105

Your CCR&R Team:Linda Carter

Director of Programslindac@childrenandfamily.org

Amy ThomasProfessional Development Coordinator

amyt@childrenandfamily.org

Heather ErwinProfessional Development Coordinator

heathere@childrenandfamily.org

Roxanna PepperProfessional Development Coordinator

roxannap@childrenandfamily.org

Noreen QuinnEarly Learning Center Coordinatornoreenq@childrenandfamily.org

Contact us to find out how we can work with you.