Second Annual
Mini-Conference
Saturday, February 22, 2014
8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Linden Hall School for Girls
212 East Main Street, Lititz, PA 17543
Cost: $65.00/person
Includes 6 hours of training and lunch
ECIC member price: $55
Class Descriptions
Session One
1. Poverty & Early Childhood (K3.C1.TC31) Carolyn Griess, 2 hrs.
Helping Children from Low Socio-Economic Status
Regardless of zip code, every community has families struggling to make ends meet. Research and experience tell us that young children growing up in poverty are at risk for school failure. Learn why a family’s income level impacts development and learning, and concrete things you can do in the classroom to improve a child’s chances of overcoming the odds. (Part 1 – required for Part 2 OR 3)
2. Know Your Color and Keep Your Cool (K6.C2.61) Amy Zoellner,
2 hrs.
Did you know that every temperament can be paired with a color that helps define and shape how we handle life? Come to this presentation to figure out what color you are and how that molds your life both professionally and personally. You will leave this session with ideas of how to embrace your own color and work with those whose color is different than yours.
3. Pyramid Model: An Overview (K1.C1.02) Aimee Newswanger 2 hrs.
This session will review the multiple layers of the Pryamid Model. The P.M. is an evidenced based framework used to guide programs and teachers in supporting children with challenging behaviors. The P.M. is most effective when followed in connection with program-wide Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS)
implementation. The session will review the P.M. and basic tenets of program-wide PBIS.
4. Sugar is Not a Food Group! Important Nutrition Building Blocks
To Address Childhood Obesity (K7.C3.79) Karen Rucker, 2 hrs.
Based on the popular I Am Moving I Am Learning (IMIL), this research-based information reviews current obesity trends and the key role you play in educating children and families on better food choices. Includes strategies and activities to improve nutrition and increase physical activity. BE PREPARED TO MOVE.
5. Identifying and Eliminating Behavior Problems in Children (K2.C1.21) Lisa Murray 6 hrs.
Participants will learn the 4 reasons children misbehave, their 4 basic needs, natural and logical consequences and how their own reaction to behaviors affects the class environment.
Session Two
1. Poverty & EC – Specific Strategies for Infants-Preschoolers (K3.C2.31) Carolyn Griess 2 hrs.
Now that we have a better understanding of the context of poverty, we’ll discuss common characteristics of poverty that may appear in our programs. We’ll discuss children’s unique strengths and challenges and what teachers can do to assist the whole development of infants through preschoolers.
**Prerequisite, Part 1, Session One
2. Embracing & Engaging Boys in ECE (K1.C2.02) Amy Zoellner
2 hrs.
Have you ever noticed how different boys are in our classrooms? They usually play rougher, bigger, and louder and many times it’s boys we have trouble engaging throughout the day. Come to this workshop as we take a deeper look at boys and our practices that sometimes isolate and disengage them.
3. Relationships and Environments: The Foundation for Preventing Challenging Behaviors (K1.C2.11) Aimee Newswanger 2 hrs.
This session looks at how strengthening our everyday interactions with children and adding intentionality to our physical environments support children with challenging behaviors. Digging deeper into the Pyramid Model we will learn ways to get ahead of challenging behaviors. (Part 1: must take prior to Part 2 in Session 3)
4. Identifying and Eliminating Behavior Problems in Children (K2.C1.21)Lisa Murray 6 hrs.
Continued from Session One.
Session Two Continued…..
5. Maintaining Professional Interactions with Families (K6.C2.63)
Karen Rucker 2 hrs.
Join us as we discuss strategies to maintain professional interactions with families and examine relationship barriers. We will review our ethical responsibilities to families as defined by the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and apply this knowledge to map out a plan to strengthen teacher/family relationships.
Session Three
1. Poverty and EC- Specific Strategies for School-agers (K3.C2.31) Carolyn Griess 2 hrs.
Now that we have a better understanding of the context of poverty, we’ll discuss common characteristics of children that may appear in our programs. We’ll discuss children’s unique strengths and challenges and what teachers can do to assist in school-agers success in social and academic settings.
(**Prerequisite: Part 1 from Session One)
2. Music and Movement (K2.C1.19) Amy Zoellner 2 hrs.
In this session we will look at what the research says about adding music and movement to the classroom. We will also share and explore practical and fun ways to add more music and movement to the daily routine.
3. Targeted Responses to Challenging Behaviors (K1.C3.TC 22)
Aimee Newswanger 2 hrs.
This session provides strategies to prevent and respond to children with challenging behaviors. We will include a brief tour of the Center on the Social Emotional Foundations of Early Learning (CSEFEL) and Technical Assistance Center on Social Emotional Intervention (TACSEI) websites to find free resources teachers can use to support children in their care.
(**Prerequisite: Part 1 by Aimee in Session Two)
4. Identifying and Eliminating Behavior Problems (K2.C1.21)
Lisa Murray 6 hrs.
Continued from Session One and Two
Class Description Session Three Continued…
5. Moving With the Brain in Mind (K1.C3.03) Karen Rucker, 2 hrs.
Stimulating brain development is important for children. Experience activities that can be done with children to stimulate the brain and support skill development in the Health, Wellness, and Physical Development learning area of the PA Early Learning Standards, as well as other knowledge areas. BE PREPARED TO MOVE; part of the I Am Moving I Am Learning (IMIL) series, this session incorporates movement.
Registration Information: Please mark and keep for your own record.
Session One: Choose One
Helping Children from Low Socio-Economic Status ______
Know Your Color and Keep Your Cool ______
Pyramid Model: An Overview ______
Sugar is Not a Food Group…. ______
Identifying and Eliminating Problem Behaviors…. ______
Session Two: Choose one
Poverty and EC: Infants to Preschoolers ______
Embracing & Engaging Boys in ECE ______
Pyramid Model: Relationships and Environments ______
Maintaining Professional Interactions with Families ______
Identifying and Eliminating Behavior Problems ______
Session Three: Choose one
Poverty and EC: School-agers ______
Music and Movement ______
Pyramid Model: Responses to Challenging Behavior ______
Moving with the Brain in Mind ______
Identifying and Eliminating Behavior Problems ______
Trainer Bios
Dr. Carolyn Griess (B.S., M.Ed., Ph.D, Penn State) educates adults in the field of ECE, both as a faculty member at Penn State Harrisburg and as a trainer of EC professionals throughout the region. She has been a teacher, director, and regional manager for early childhood programs. Professionally she focuses on assessments, family relationships, and diversity.
Lisa Murray conducts professional development for childcare providers, teachers and parents. She presents at conferences and enjoys sharing her knowledge with others in the field.
Aimee Newswanger (MSW) is the Positive Behavior Support Specialist for Hildebrandt Learning Centers. She is leading the implementation of program-wide PBIS implementation in all 43 sites in a 3-state area. Previously she worked for Head Start Lancaster. Aimee recently initiated the Lancaster County PBIS Collaborative to develop a system of support for children with challenging behaviors at all levels.
Karen Rucker has more than 30 yrs. Experience in ECE. She has been a teacher, director, and education coordinator in a variety of settings. She has led three programs to NAEYC accreditation. She is a presenter and consultant and brings a wealth of experiences to her work with teachers and administrators.
Amy Zoellner (AA in ECE, BA in Applied Behavioral Science, MA in Community Psychology and Social Change, Penn State) focuses on infant and toddler caregivers. She is an instructor for CAECTI. Amy teaches the CDA, Mind in the Making, and other trainings that help EC teachers move toward higher levels of quality. She is dedicated to educating caregivers especially in the area of creative arts.
More Upcoming Trainings by ECIC
Register at
For teachers:
Children’s Literature & Creative Thinking (K2.C2) – Sue Long
Monday, January 6, 2014 – Cocalico Care Center, Denver
What Color Am I? (K3.C2.31)– Chris Shebish
Monday, March 3, 2014 6:30-8:30 pm – Diamond Street ECC
Differentiated Instruction (K2.C2.14)– Carolyn Griess
Monday, April 7, 2014 6:30-8:30 - New Holland Early Learning Center
For Directors:
Directors Connections (K6.C3.61) – Rose Snyder
Thursday, December 12, 12:30-2:30 pm – St. Paul CELC
Directors Connections (K6.C3.61) – Rose Snyder
Thursday, March 13, 2014 12:30-2:30 pm – Diamond Street ECC
Directors Connections (K6.C3.61) – Rose Snyder
Thursday, June 19, 2014 12:30-2:30 pm – St. Paul CELC
For Parents: All classes taught by Lisa Murray and held at Diamond Street Early Childhood Center
The Five Love Languages of Children – Nov. 19, 6-8pm
Bully-Proof Your Child – Jan. 21, 6-8pm
Communicate Effectively with Anyone – Feb. 18, 6-8pm
Is Anyone Listening? – Mar. 18, 6-8pm
Say What you Mean and Mean What you Say – Apr. 15, 6-8 pm
Building Emotional Intelligence in Children – May 20, 6-8 pm
For Boards of Directors:
EC Board Member Basics 101 – Gerald Meck
Monday, Dec. 9 – 6:30-8:00 – Diamond Street ECC
EC Boards 202: Going a Step Further – Gerald Meck
Monday, Feb. 3, 2014 – 6:30-8:00 pm – Diamond Street ECC
Mission
Early Childhood Innovative Connections strengthens the delivery of quality early childhood education through strategic partnerships and by maximizing shared resources to positively impact our communities.
ECIC Membership Benefits Summary:
1. Access to centralized staffing pool using Talent Ed recruit and hire software.
2. Shared Professional Development for teachers, directors, boards of directors, and parents.
3. Sharing of information and working together toward common goals and to overcome challenges.
www.ecinnovativeconnections.org
401 S. 7th Street, Unit #4, Akron, PA 17501
717-588-4800