2023 Annual Early Childhood Conference Preliminary Program

Accommodations

Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton

The Amway Grand Plaza Hotel is the conference headquarters. A variety of restaurants and lounges are available to cater to your mood and appetite. The Kitchen Counter by Wolfgang Puck for a quick bite; The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck where made-from-scratch comfort fare meets authentic global classics; MDRD for a lively dinner of modern Spanish entrees, sharables and desserts on the 27th floor; Ruth’s Chris Steak House serving the best steaks; Taco Alley serving up fast & easy tacos, burritos & chips on the go; Rendezvous for craft cocktails, wine and light eats; IDC a speakeasy balcony bar; the historic Lumber Baron bar; and Starbucks. We encourage you to check with the hotel regarding amenities and services available or with limited service due to COVID-19.

Rate: Single, Double, Triple or Quad $155

For reservations call: 800-253-3590; 616-776-6450

Reservation link: https://book.passkey.com/e/5039442

Reservation deadline: March 19, 2023

Downtown Courtyard by Marriott

The Downtown Courtyard by Marriott is connected by skywalk to the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and DeVos Place. The hotel features a restaurant/lounge, and offers easy access to Downtown businesses. We encourage you to check with the hotel regarding amenities and services available or with limited service due to COVID-19.

Rate: Single, Double, Triple or Quad $150

For reservations call: 877-901-6632; 616-242-6000

Reservation link: https://book.passkey.com/e/5039442

Reservation deadline: March 19, 2023

Grand Rapids, April 20-22

Conference Information

Reservation Instructions

• Call or book online early for reservations

• Call or select the hotel of your choice

• Identify yourself as attending the Michigan AEYC

Early Childhood Conference

• Provide the following information:

• Arrival and departure dates and times

• Number of rooms required

• Accommodations desired: Single,Double,TripleorQuad

• Number and names of people sharing the room

• Credit card information

• Email, phone and personal information

• Special requests (handicap accessible, featherfree bedding, etc.)

Deposits

Hotels in Michigan require a credit card number or a first night deposit to hold your room.

Changes, Cancellations

All changes and cancellations must be made directly with the hotel.

Registration & Fees

Online registration with credit card or purchase order payment is available until April 14, 2023. Registration is considerably less for Michigan AEYC members at the Standard or Premium level. To register as a member, you must be a current member at the Standard or Premium level at time of registration. Entry level members do not qualify for registration discount. Membership status is checked. To become a member, visit www.miaeyc.org.

Add a Michigan AEYC membership to your conference registration to receive discounted registration and all the perks of membership right away.

The Student/T.E.A.C.H. rate is for current undergraduate students or current T.E.A.C.H. recipients. A copy of your current class schedule or T.E.A.C.H. contract must be uploaded with your registration.

Refunds of registration fees are made upon written request. Requests must be received by April 14, 2023. A $15.00 processing fee is deducted from each refund. Absolutely NO refunds are issued after April 14, 2023.

A registration can be transferred to another person upon request by email to mdurham@miaeyc.org.

On-Site Registration

On-site registration takes place in the Conference Registration Area, Concourse Level, Amway Hotel:

• Wednesday, April 19 5:00pm - 8:00pm

• Thursday, April 20 7:00am - 4:30pm

• Friday, April 21 7:00am - 2:30pm

• Saturday, April 22 7:30am - 10:30am

Name Badges

A confirmation email is sent to the address provided for payment upon completion and acceptance of your online registration.

A welcome email with name badge pickup instructions from conference badging app SignInApp.com will be emailed at least 48 hours prior to the event. Name badges are to be picked up onsite at Conference Registration, Center Concourse, Concourse Level, Amway Hotel using the QR code from this email.

Special Arrangements

All sites are handicap accessible. Michigan AEYC honors reasonable requests for aids, services or assistance. Requests must be submitted in writing by April 2, 2023.

Poster Session

The poster session invites teachers, service providers, researchers, and students across disciplines to share information about early childhood, early intervention, inclusive practice, family-school relationships, teacher education, professional development and related areas. Submit a Poster Session Proposal: https://bit.ly/2023postersession

The Poster Session takes place on Friday, April 21, 11:45am- 1pm in the hall/lobby area of DeVos.

Parking

• Amway Hotel - $35 self-parking. Rates subject to change. Michigan AEYC Conference overnight guests receive discount on self ($19) or valet ($24) parking.

• Marriott Courtyard - $24 self-parking. Rates subject to change. Michigan AEYC Conference overnight guests receive discount on self or valet parking.

• View a map with additional downtown parking options by visiting https://bit.ly/GRDowntownParking

Dining & Things to Do

Food service is not included in registration. Quick lunch lines are available Thursday and Friday in the main hallway of DeVos Place near the Exhibit Hall. Additionally, the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel offers several dining options and there are numerous options within walking distance. Access a map of dining options in and around the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. https://bit.ly/downtownGRdining

DASH- Downtown Area Shuttle

The Grand Rapids Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH) offers downtown visitors a great way to get around. DASH buses pass every stop every 15 minutes. For shuttle info, visit https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Government/ Departments/Mobile-GR/DASH-the-Downtown-Area-Shuttle

Downtown Conference Attendee Exclusives

Grand Rapids rolls out the red carpet for conference attendees! Experience Grand Rapids has arranged discounts at a number of local restaurants, attractions and other businesses to help you truly experience the city while you are here. These savings are not available to the general public. Redeem your discounts simply by presenting the digital coupon on your phone. It’s that easy! Visit Visit.experiencegr.com/exclusives for a full listing of exclusive discounts.

Things to Do

Visit https://www.experiencegr.com/events/ for a list of events happening downtown Grand Rapids.

Membership Meeting

Michigan AEYC members are invited to the Annual Membership Meeting Thursday, April 20, 2023 from 6-6:45pm, Imperial Ballroom, Amway Hotel. Hear about the work of your professional organization statewide.

Friday Night Fun: Grown Ups Night Out

After a long day of workshop sessions, join in a fun-filled evening of lighthearted singing, interactive games. Keynote speaker Richard Cohen pokes good-natured fun at crying babies, snot-nosed kids, persnickety parents and hand-print holiday turkeys with his special brand of stand-up comedy created especially for stressed-out, paint-covered, marker-stained early childhood professionals! Friday 8-9:30pm, free admission, cash bar.

Exhibit Hall

Vendors of equipment and instructional materials are in the Exhibit Hall, Ballroom A, DeVos Place on Thursday, April 20 and Friday April 22.

Exhibitor and Sponsor Application: https://miaeyc.formstack.com/forms/conf2023_partner

Text Notifications

Download the Remind app from the iOS AppStore or Google Play, then select Add Class. Enter the code @miecc2023

to receive text notifications about conference events, special announcements, session cancelations, and more.

Gala

At the Michigan AEYC Gala you’ll join your peers in recognizing this year’s award and scholarship winners, enjoy live dueling piano entertainment by the talented ‘Greg and Smokin’ George,’ a full plated dinner and drinks! Attire: Come as you are.

Gala entrance is not included in conference registration. Individual tickets, as well as a table reservation, may be purchased in advance only at a rate of $45/ticket.

Ticket sales: https://bit.ly/eccgala2023

Silent Auction

The Michigan AEYC Silent Auction is live! View and bid on unique items and experiences on the auction website. All proceeds benefit Michigan AEYC student scholarships and awards.

https://www.32auctions.com/miaeyc2023auction

Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children

2023 Early Childhood Conference Schedule At-A-Glance

Wednesday, April 19

9:30am - 4:00pm Institutes of Higher Ed Summit

4:30pm - 5:30pm ACCESS Social Networking

5:00pm - 8:00pm Registration & Badge Pickup

Thursday, April 20

7:00am - 4:30pm Registration & Badge Pickup 8:30am - 10:00am Workshops

Dinner

Conferenceregistrationincludes in-personattendanceANDaccess toonlinecontentfor30days.

*MiRegistry and/or SCECH training credit available for eligible attendees

Michigan AEYC Event Code of Conduct

Michigan AEYC Is committed to providing a professional, collegial, supporting, respectful, friendly, safe, and welcoming environment for all participants and Michigan AEYC staff regardless of a person’s race, color, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, age, religion, disability status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical appearance or other characteristic and any other legally protected classes.

All participants, including, but not limited to attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, sponsors, staff, service providers and others are expected to comply with this Event Code of Conduct. Michigan AEYC expects participants and speakers to uphold the professional and educational purposes of NAEYC and its events by respecting the rights, privacy, safety, and dignity of everyone.

Expected Behavior:

• All participants are treated with respect and consideration, valuing a diversity of views and opinions.

• Strive for inclusive, transparent, and open communication.

• Be considerate, respectful, and collaborative in speaking and listening.

• Do not appropriate knowledge shared during this meeting or future collaborations.

• Acknowledge the contribution of others.

• Respect the rule and policies of Meeting.

• Comply with the safety protocols prescribed by Michigan AEYC and event venues including protocols in place for COVID-19.

• Participants will not bring any children under the age of 18 into the event including exhibit and session areas.

Unacceptable Behavior

Unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated during any portion of a meeting or event. Unacceptable behavior includes but is not limited to:

• Intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory, or demeaning speech or actions.

• Individual attacks on others.

• Harmful or prejudicial verbal or written comments or visual images related to gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, disability, or other personal characteristics, including those protected by law.

• Real or implied threat of professional or financial damage or harm.

• Inappropriate or repeated disruption of meetings or events.

• Deliberate intimidation of others.

• Photographing, video, or audio recording of slides, oral or poster presentations without presenter/author’s permission.

• Presentations, postings, and messages should not contain promotional materials, special offers, job offers, product announcements, or solicitation for services. Michigan AEYC reserves the right to remove such messages and potentially ban sources of those solicitations.

Reporting Harassment to Michigan AEYC: Report harassment and disruptive behaviors to Michigan AEYC staff at miaeyc@miaeyc.org.

Violation of this Policy, as determined by Michigan AEYC in its sole discretion, is grounds for any action that Michigan AEYC deems appropriate, including but not limited to warning the offender, denying the offender access to a Michigan AEYC event and restrictions from future Michigan AEYC meetings and events. Michigan AEYC reserves the right to take whatever action it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate, with respect to the investigation of any matters related to this Policy.

Online Content

In addition to over 170 in-person sessions, conference registrants will receive access to over 85 pre-recorded sessions for on-demand viewing and training credit. Whether participating in the conference as an online only attendee, or attending in-person, conferees will be able to participate in a variety of online session offerings, meaning no longer having to worry about missing one session while attending another. All online content is pre-recorded.

Online content will be available at 8:00am Monday, April 24 and remain available through Monday, May 29.

Conference registrants will receive instructions for logging in to the online conference platform along with in-person badge pick up instructions 48 hours prior to the event. The conference platform is located on Michigan AEYC’s Knowledge Center. For attendees who have participated in events on the Michigan AEYC Knowledge Center in the past, existing log-in information will be utilized to access the online conference. For those new to the Michigan AEYC Knowledge Center, a username and password will be assigned and included in the log-in instructions email 48 hours prior to the event.

We encourage registrants to log-in to the platform before the conference begins to avoid a technology challenge when accessing content.

Visit the Michigan AEYC Knowledge Center for helpful hints, FAQs, and to learn about additional upcoming training and events.

Accessonlineconferencecontent:

http://learn.miaeyc.org

Training Credit

Training credit is issued through MiRegistry and the Michigan Online Educator Certification System. In order to qualify to receive training credit for each session attended, attendees must:

1. Have a valid MiRegistry account to receive MiRegistry Training Credit. Visit www.miregistry.org to set up your account.

AND/OR

Have a valid PIC Number to receive SCECH credit in the Michigan Online Educator Certification System.

2. Provide your MiRegistry ID number and/or PIC number in your conference registration.

3. We recommend providing the email you associate with your MiRegistry and/or MOECs account when registering for the conference.

4. To receive training credit for in-person sessions, complete the Training Credit Form EACH DAY you attend sessions by scanning the Daily Training Credit QR Code when you are done attending sessions for that day. A new code will be displayed each day and you will not receive access to codes from days prior.

5. To receive training credit for virtual sessions, you must watch the training recording in its entirety. Credit will not be issued for sessions in which the entire training recording is not viewed.

6. Session attendance will be entered into MiRegistry and MOECS at the close of all session content, after May 29, 2023. Please allow for up to an additional 30 days for your training credit to appear.

Training credit QR codes will be displayed each day in Amway and DeVos. Training credit will not be issued for partially viewed or partially attended in-person sessions.

Wednesday, April 19

Thursday, April 20

General Session Keynote Together, We Flourish!

Cheryl Priest, EdD, CAPP

CentralMichiganUniversityFacultyMember,AppliedPositivePsychology Practitioner,RetreatPlanner,StudyTourFacilitator,Speaker,Dreamer,Trainer, Advocate,Trailblazer

Flourishing doesn’t happen alone. We live in a shared existence AND at the same time, find ourselves feeling alone and longing for relationship and acceptance of others. There is an aching to be seen and to belong. If you desire deeper, high-quality connections - and also feel at a loss for “how to,” this conversation has the power to ignite a transformation in your life!

During this keynote session, we will explore strategies for increasing joy and well-being through the power that comes with a “ we” orientation. Relationships are a pathway to flourishing. And I’ll let you in on a little secret. Your personal transformation has unlimited potential to ripple outward and touch others. When we gather and savor our shared experience, we will grow!

Center Stage

Your Thoughts Matter

Cheryl Priest, EdD, CAPP

Who do you bring to the “we?” Is there a limiting mindset that comes from negative self-talk, self-judgment, and by giving too much attention to “what’s wrong or what’s missing?” Your internal messengers – what you think, imagine, sense and feel – guide the behavior that you and others see. Together, we will explore opportunities to soften self-judgment through micro-practices that incorporate self-compassion, self-respect and place more emphasis on “what’s great!” Loosen your attachment to these conscious and unconscious biases, and grow a sense of identity that is broader, more inclusive, and more interested in other people and relationships!

Thursday, April 20

Workforce Development

The Changing Landscape of Early Childhood Teacher Education: A Series of Round Table Discussions by Michigan ACCESS

Are you a higher ed faculty or a MiRegistry trainer?

Please join us in small group discussions about current topics impacting early childhood teacher education. You will attend three rounds of discussion, with various topics to select from.

Danielle Savory, Lansing Community College

Jill Harrison, Delta College

Rod Reyes, Mott Community College

Tammra Houseman, Bay College

Beth Marshall, Washtenaw Community College

Paula Spencer, Michigan AEYC

Tricia McKay, Lansing Community College

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: Adult

Preparing Educators Who Can Foster Inclusion: Building a Repertoire of Effective Practices

This session will share ways to prepare educators to design and implement inclusive environments and interactions for young children. Discover multiple examples of how to bring an inclusive lens to any course or presentation using free resources.

Laurie Dinnebeil, University of Toledo & Camille Catlett, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: Adult

Tools to Support Your Course Quality and Impact

Do your courses provide opportunities to learn, practice, and apply concepts and practices? Is content related diversity, equity, and inclusion addressed explicitly? Discover new tools and practices for accomplishing both in this session.

Camille Catlett, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: Adult

Reconsidering How We Prepare Teachers Birth to Kindergarten

Teacher preparation programs have had to adjust their programs to meet Michigan's changing teacher certification structure. In our session, we'll discuss what that looks like and the potential unintended consequences on the profession.

Kathryn Ohle, Grand Valley State University

CKCC: Professionalism

Age Levels: Adult

Relationship Based Coaching - Making Connection a Priority

An insightful look into the process of creating, implementing, and adjusting relationship-based coaching models in a teaching lab setting from the perspective of the designer, coach, and coachee.

Alex Henry & Brooke Fullington, CMU Child Development and Learning Lab

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: Adult

Explicit and Intentional: Addressing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Early Childhood Courses

This session will provide participants with ways to make course materials, activities, assignments, and field experiences explicit in how they support the acquisition, practice, and application of new capabilities to support each child and their family.

Camille Catlett, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute

CKCC: Professionalism

Age Levels: Adult

Tips from an NAEYC Peer Reviewer

This session will include helpful tips for those preparing for or thinking about their first NAEYC higher education accreditation site visit.

Jill Harrison, Delta College

CKCC: Professionalism

Age Levels: Adult

Thursday,

What It’s Like to Offer the BK Grade Band

This workshop will explore the benefits of offering the BK grade band certification as well as offer time to discuss how to increase interest and enrollment. We will define and describe the rigor of the standards and how that translates into a high quality ECE teaching workforce.

Jennifer Haeussler, Siena Heights University

CKCC: Professionalism

Age Levels: Adult

Where the Rubber Meets the Road: Roundtable Discussions (Great Start to Higher Education, in collaboration with Michigan ACCESS)

This session will feature organized discussions focused on commonly taught early childhood courses (e.g., child-family-community, infants and toddlers). Each roundtable will be led by a Michigan faculty member who has recently revised the course being discussed to support increased emphasis on inclusion and knowledge application. They will share information about the enhancements to the content and pedagogy, as well as the impact the changes are having for students.

Danielle Savory, Lansing Community College

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: Adult

Grow Your Own Teachers: Addressing the Childcare Crisis through Higher Education

Exploring multiple initiatives supported through higher education including the Michigan Future Educator Stipend and Fellowship as well as various additional pathways to support the growth of the early childhood workforce.

Niccole Erickson & Melissa Thiebaut-Marinelli, Ferris State University

CKCC: Professionalism

Age Levels: Adult

Program Administration

Coaching for Compliance vs. Transformation

This fast-paced session will help you understand the differences between coaching for compliance (following the rules, meeting deadlines, and corrective action plans) and coaching for transformation (growth, development, and being a better person). You'll understand WHEN each method is more effective, WHERE to conduct each session, and WHY using one method over the other might be adding to your stress. Bring your questions!

Michelle Burhkard, Grow By 1

CKCC: Management

Age Levels: All

Updates from the Office of Great Start Directors

Leadership from the Office of Great Start will provide updates on progress for the various program and policy initiatives engaged in across the areas of early childhood development, family education, child care, preschool, and Head Start.

Office of Great Start Directors, Michigan Department of Education

CKCC: Management

Age Levels: IT, PS, KP, Adult

Great Start to Quality On-Site Observation: Commitment to equity and empowerment!

Learn how to prepare for a Great Start to Quality OnSite Observation. Discover how the process is supportive and equitable. The Assessment Team will share information on the observation process and provide helpful tips.

Kristen Howard & Assessment Team, Early Childhood Investment Corporation

CKCC: Management

Age Levels: Adult

Maximize the Impact of Your In-House Trainings!

Are you a Director or Owner charged with holding training for your staff? Are you at a loss on what to do, or how best to do them? Come and find some supportive solutions!

Brooke Rains & Candy Sorensen, Child Care Network

CKCC: Professionalism

Age Levels: Adult

Data is Talking, Are You Listening?

During the data process, there is time for both collaboration and individual reflection. Kalamazoo County Pre-K utilizes a process that encourages peer partnership, data review, and time to plan for implementation.

Cathleen Doonan & Lara Ynclan, Kalamazoo RESA

CKCC: Observation, Documentation & Assessment

Age Levels: PS

Finding Ourselves in Michigan's Collective Early Childhood Action Plan

Come explore the results of two years of needs assessment and strategic planning work as we dive into the Michigan Collective Early Childhood Action Plan. This interactive session will explore the priorities and strategies with the Plan and offer participants the opportunity to add their own strategies and inform future directions to help make Michigan the best state in which to raise a child.

Jonnie Taton, Joy Milano, Amanda Stoel, Dr. Scott Koenigsknecht, Michigan Department of Education

CKCC: Family and Community Engagement

Age Levels: All, Adult

Positive Team Communication

Foster a positive team environment, hold your team accountable to policies, and create documentation to help complete accurate evaluations.

Samantha Mitchell, Children’s Discovery Academy

CKCC: Professionalism

Age Levels: Adult

The Early Childhood Director's Guide to Solving Everyday Challenges MOVED TO FRIDAY

As a Program director you will wear multiple hats and as part of your role at the center you may feel alone when you face issues and situations with children, staff, and parents. Well, you are not alone. We will examine real-world issues experienced at actual child -care centers and outline how to avoid mistakes, oversights, and incidents as much as possible by developing policies and procedures and by implementing staff training to reduce the risk.

Thomasa Bond, Child Care Licensing

CKCC: Management

Age Levels: Adult

Social Emotional

Tipping the Scales: Helping Children Overcome Adversity and Build Resilience

Participants will be able to review adverse and positive childhood experience, and protective factor frameworks, as well as explore how to integrate knowledge of ACEs, HOPE and protective factors into family engagement and parent education. We'll identify strategies to identify and cultivate protective factors and demonstrate how parent educators and community organizations collaborate to support family resiliency.

Amanda Hill, Parenting Now

CKCC: Child Development

Age Levels: IT, PS, KP

Building Resilience in Early Childhood

Living in a post-pandemic world is difficult, especially when children and educators already may have experienced trauma or ACEs. Learn to teach children skills to become more resilient, as well as tools for educators to grow their own resiliency.

Brooke Morgan, Kent ISD

CKCC: Interactions and Guidance

Age Levels: All

Wrap Around Support for Challenging Behaviors

This presentation will include what support means for Challenging Behaviors in the classroom. Not only how to support the child and family but how to take care of your well-being as well. Come learn how we incorporate a Behavior Support Team of teachers to implement all of the above.

Michele Blake, Sara Root & Brittany Cavanaugh, Heartfelt Impressions

CKCC: Interactions & Guidance

Age Levels: All

Fostering Independence and Handling Emotional Issues with Children

Children go through emotional changes at home, Illnesses, death, separation and divorce. Learn powerful tools to teaching responsibility and effective ways to managing energy that will help children grow and develop to be independent and motivated.

Namrata Carolan, Carolan Consulting

CKCC: Child Development

Age Levels: All

The Power of the Story

Stories are important and it's important to understand that stories are not just books. Stories tell about who we are, what we need or provide an escape. Stories are the most powerful tool we have. Come learn how stories can be powerful, share your stories and learn how you can use your story

Heidi Friedel, Consultant

CKCC: Professionalism

Age Levels: All

Let's Build Relationships

Learn 6 steps to successfully encourage children's self control, interpersonal relationships, and problemsolving abilities, among other social and emotional skills.

Dawn Vandemark, Clinton County RESA

CKCC: Interactions & Guidance

Age Levels: PS, KP

The Magic Wand: The Effective Moves any Teacher could use to Reduce Incidents in the Classroom

Learn "Magical" effective strategies to build positive and secure relationships, learn differences between behavior vs. developmental stages, develop strategies and choices considering environment, schedules, and activities. Walk away with new positive guidance and self-regulation skills.

Sandra Ampudia, The Discovery Source & Elizabeth Villaverde, GSQ Western Resource Center

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS

Trauma-Engaged Practice and Fostering Resilience

So you're trauma informed - now what? Learn how to become trauma-engaged, understand the unique biology of trauma and resilience in early development, and walk away with practical tools for implementation in a variety of settings.

Brooke Aernouts, Family Futures

CKCC: Child Development

Age Levels: All, Adult

Infant & Toddler Care Literacy Essentials

Learn the 10 essential classroom practices that will develop your children's literacy skills. Also, discover how you can encourage parents to practice literacy skills at home.

Sandra Weyer, The Order of the Fishermen Ministry Head Start

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: IT

Exploring Outside Time with Infants & Toddlers

Learn the importance of getting Infants and Toddlers outdoors, what issues face caregivers, and ideas for materials to support I/T's outdoors.

Liz Colegrove & Kristy Wood, Child Care Network

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: IT

Planning and Recall Time with Older Toddlers

Not sure what to do with those older twos who have not quite moved out of toddlerhood and into preschool? Want to add planning and recall into your schedule but not sure where to start? In this session

we will look at the signs of readiness for planning and recall, go over the "how to’s" for implementing them, and share concrete planning and recall strategies.

Danielle Grimaldo, HighScope Foundation

CKCC: Interactions & Guidance

Age Levels: IT

Preschool

Early Reading Concepts

Make the most of your read aloud time with children! Oral language concepts, reading comprehension and concepts about print are all skills that can be and should be exposed to children at the earliest levels. We will also talk about strategies to offer parents to read with their children.

Casey Sterle, Leslie Public Schools

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: All

Essential

Instructional

Practices in

Language and Emergent Literacy: Birth to Age 3 - Gestures

Gestures are hand and body motions used for communication, like pointing, waving, tapping fingers to your mouth to mean eat, or tracing a pretend tear down your cheek for sad. Children who use more gestures learn to talk earlier and use more words, which also supports their emergent literacy.

Chandra Cooke & Brittany Wright, Child Care Network

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: IT

Art Smart - The Importance of Art in the Infant and Toddler Classroom

Infants and toddlers require the same developmental and sensory experiences received from art as older children. Come explore how art aids in the development of the infant and toddler mind and creative ways to implement these experiences in the infant and toddler classroom.

Robin Meinicke, Starfish Family Services & Rachel

Ellen Maria Burns, Wayne RESA

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: IT

Science Time

You don't have to be a scientist to do science in your classroom. Explore this "hands-on" workshop with easy inexpensive experiments, science activities and science table top props. Learn how to incorporate science throughout the classroom.

Sherry Ann Wolfer, Early Childhood Consultant

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS, KP, SA

Data Detectives

Teachers gather evidence on child development, searching for clues to uncover truths about students. The mystery is, what to do with this information? This course will provide tactics and resources for planning based on data.

Laura Ynclan & Cathleen Doonan, Kalamazoo RESA

CKCC: Observation, Documentation & Assessment

Age Levels: IT, PS, KP

A Balanced Approach: 10 Ideas to Incorporate Preschool Academics into Play

Incorporating academics into play is proven to help preschoolers learn more efficiently. Details of our favorite learning activities will be shared to help keep your classroom exciting while meeting kindergarten readiness expectations.

Kayleen Allred & Morgan Bechler, Little Minds Learning Academy

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS

Thursday, April 20

The Cultural Fabric of Early Childhood Education

A. Wade Boykin describes a "profound and inescapable cultural fabric of the schooling process in America." In this session, we apply culturally responsive teaching to early childhood in effort to move beyond the tourist curriculum often prevalent in our classrooms.

Kimberly Davidson & Abbigail Macdonald, Central Michigan University

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS, KP

Nurturing Whole Child Development through Arts Integration

During this interactive workshop, participants will explore what is meant by arts integration in the early childhood classroom and its benefits in supporting whole child development. Participants will lean on NAEYC's (2022) Developmentally Appropriate Practice Principle #5 on the role of active learning to discover multiple ways to enhance equity and whole child development through arts integration.

Cindy Basse, Northern Michigan University & Wendy

Highland, State of Michigan LARA

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS, KP

Teachers' Perceptions of the Impact of Storytime on Children's Development

Teachers around the world use Storytime in their preschool classrooms on a regular basis. Most curricula present stories as part of the curriculum. This study looks to understand early childhood teachers' planning for and scope of strategies used at storytime, and to learn about their perceptions of the impact of storytime on children's social and emotional, language and literacy, and cognitive development.

Reem Assiri, PhD student, Oakland University

CKCC: Child Development

Age Levels: PS

CMU CDLL Lending Library- What is it? And How Can YOU Utilize

it?

Are you an early childhood educator, looking for classroom resources; technology, art supplies, large motor/science activities? CMU's Child Development and Learning Lab has a lending library, fully funded through the Grow Up Great Grant by PNC Bank. Learn about what is available and how to you can take advantage of these resources meant to improve early childhood learning in our community.

Teresea Looman & Willi Sheahan-Stahl, Child Development and Learning Lab Central Michigan University

CKCC: Child Development

Age Levels: All

The Art of Storytelling: Helping Children Become Storytellers

Through this interactive presentation, participants will have the opportunity to engage with various storytelling materials while learning new ways to incorporate storytelling in their preschool classroom.

Jacquelyn Weller & Susan Wassman, Child Development and Learning Lab Central Michigan University

CKCC: Child Development

Age Levels: PS

Terrific Transitions! Engaging Children During Transition Times

Discover how to engage children during transitions in this interactive presentation. Learn strategies for planning successful transitions, new transition activities to add to your teaching toolbox, and make and take a transition prop to incorporate into your classroom.

Jocelyn Prewett & Anastasia Bristley, Central Michigan University Child Development and Learning Lab

CKCC: Interactions & Guidance

Age Levels: PS

Thursday,

CLASS: A Framework for Building Connections and Strengthening Collaboration

Learn about the CLASS as a framework for teacherchild interactions. During this session, we will discuss how CLASS serves as a framework to support effective interactions, continuous quality improvement, and teaching. We will also explore how Teachstone is bringing forward enhancements that make the tool more equitable to use, easier to access, and more impactful.

Sara Diamond, Kim Pold & Christina Nystrom, Teachstone

CKCC: Interactions & Guidance

Age Levels: All

Inclusive Practices to Support Children with Disabilities in Preschool Programs

This session will provide information and resources on how to create a climate of individualized support to meet high expectations for children with disabilities in preschool programs. An introduction to free online inclusion modules, which are available to promote and support high-quality inclusive practices, will also be included in this session.

Jori Novak & Brenda Woods, Office of Innovative Projects

CKCC: Child Development

Age Levels: PS

Everyday Opportunities for Math

Children are born knowers and doers of math. What does math have in common with putting your blanket away after a nap? Everything! Join us to discover how you can support children's math learning through daily routines and activities when they're with you - and when they're at home!

Heather Lucas, Michigan Department of Education & Bonnie Bonifield, Miss Bonnie, LLC

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: IT, PS

Circle Time that Connects With What Really Matters

Community circle is a powerful process to talk about what really matters. This experiential session offers practice in helping children identify feelings and needs, experience self-empathy and empathy .

Heather Kindem, Breathing and Feelings & Needs Specialist

CKCC: Child Development

Age Levels: PS, KP

Daily Outdoor Education in Michigan?: Shifting Attitudes & Expectations to Support Meaningful Outdoor Play

Explore how adult attitudes and expectations surrounding daily outdoor play influence the quality of children's outdoor learning. Additionally, learn how to create meaningful outdoor play opportunities by utilizing your space, materials, knowledge, and experiences.

Windy Carroll & Sara DeYarmond, Our Savior Lutheran School

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS, KP

Documentation and Assessment

In this interactive training we will discuss key components of documentation and assessment. You will learn about the why of documenting and assessing, the basics, how we assess different mediums, and explore where you are in the Documenter Experience stages.

Sarah Cooper, CLASS Consultant/Coach & Ashela

Trevino, Ludington Early Childhood Center

CKCC: Observation, Documentation & Assessment

Age Levels: PS

PLAN for Interactions

Quality interactions are built on four essential foundational skills. Learn about these foundational skills and how to incorporate them into every interaction you have with the children in your care.

Kathy Gilbert, KMG Research LLC

CKCC: Interactions & Guidance

Age Levels: All

Thursday, April 20

Science Activities in a Faith Based Environment

This session will focus on developmentally appropriate science activities with a direct linkage to Bible stories utilized in faith based environments. Participants will be encouraged to participate in and interact with experiments and activities

Nicole Beattie, Storytime with Ms Nicole

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS

School Age

Multi-Sensory Math

Come see how to help young children master key early learning math skills through hands-on discovery and multi-sensory experiences. Using visual, auditory, kinesthetic/tactile activities for teaching or reinforcing concepts helps young learners grasp abstract math ideas conceptually.

Angie Meredith, hand2mind

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS, KP

Notice and Wonder: Building Curiosity in Play

This session focuses on how to promote curiosity and inquiry-based learning in early childhood classrooms. Participants will engage in playful learning opportunities that foster math and science learning through curiosity and inquiry.

Tracy Donohue, Central Michigan University

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS, KP, SA

Home-to-School Mismatch

Learn about including ESL in curriculum for African American early learners to support African American Vernacular English (AAVE), which is considered the cultural, home, environmental and community language which is very different from Anglo Academic language.

Valerie Parker, Director

CKCC: Family & Community Engagement

Age Levels: PS, KP, SA

Rough & Tumble Play in a School Setting

Hear success stories about incorporating rough and tumble games and experiences into our school age program. Learn more about giving students the power to make decisions when engaging in active play and leave with strategies of ways to try this in YOUR school setting.

James Olmstead & Marissa Cobleigh, Fenton Area Public Schools World of Wonder

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS, KP, SA

Evaluating the Landscape of ECE Today: Bringing it Back to DAP!

Now more than ever, ECE educators are facing a disparaging gap between DAP and the insurmountable pressures from stakeholders. This session evaluates the current conditions in ECE surrounding best practices (post-covid). Practical strategies for advocating the implementation of DAP will be discussed.

Christina Mirtes & Jessica Grimone-Hopkins, Eastern Michigan University

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: All

The Michigan State-wide Expansion of Text and Learn for Kindergarten (TALK): A Community and Research Partnership for Early Childhood Education

Learn about the Michigan state-wide expansion of TALK, a text message service that connects caregivers of young children to their libraries, including early findings from an evaluation conducted by HighScope.

Madeline Chimka, HighScope Research Foundation & Jodi Krahnke, Ypsilanti District Library

CKCC: Family & Community Engagement

Age Levels: KP

Bob Books with VersaTiles and ConfiDice

Bob Books offer repetition and fun stories to introduce important sight words. Partner that with our VersaTiles and ConfiDice and students can combine purposeful practice for a hands-on way of reviewing what they are learning in their Bob Books. Engage your beginning reader with a fun puzzle-like way to practice reading!

Angie Meredith, hand2mind

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS, KP, SA

Fostering Creativity Across the Curriculum: Going Beyond A is for Alligator

Creativity is an essential component of the classroom but is so often slighted in areas or limited to being only a part of what happens in the art room. Broaden understanding about the creative process for those who work with young children.

Desiree Hickman, Sam Houston State University & Wykeshia Glass, North Carolina Central University

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS, KP, SA

Professionalism

Childcare System Change: Powered by Community Voices

Community connections create the foundation for a high quality, affordable early care and education system. Learn how to collect and leverage voices from families, childcare providers and employers to understand your community childcare needs and influence local policy and programming. This session will discuss a case study from Emmet County by reviewing the key components of creating a community powered plan for systems-wide change.

Laura Tuthill & Jennifer Wixson, North Central Michigan College, Karen Ann Kling, University of Michigan

CKCC: Family & Community Engagement

Age Levels: All

Advocacy to Impact Improvements in Early Childhood

Presented by members of the Michigan AEYC Advocacy Committee. Often, early childhood professionals don't recognize their current role in advocating for improvements in early childhood and how critical it is. This session will cover the basics of advocacy on a local, state, and federal level. Participants will gain knowledge and skills that will better equip them to speak up on behalf of the children and families they serve.

Annette Sobocinski, Amy Moore, Child Care Network & Jolene Andriaschko, United Way for Southeastern Michigan

CKCC: Professionalism

Age Levels: All

Centering Equity in HOPEful Interactions

Discover how the science of positive experiences drive healthy development, and how you can be an agent of change by promoting the HOPE framework and equitable interventions.

Michael Austin & Brook Albert, Early Childhood Investment Corporation

CKCC: Professionalism

Age Levels: Adult

Incorporating a Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Lens Through Professional Development

In this session, participants will discuss the importance of seeing all teacher's strengths and learning strategies to build on their learning and understanding through education and training with a racial equity, diversity, and inclusion lens.

Najwa Dahdah, Empowered Child Care Consulting, Inc. & Shannon Lockhart, HighScope

CKCC: Interactions & Guidance

Age Levels: Adult

Friday, April 21

7:00am

General Session Keynote

Zen and the Art of Early Childhood

Richard Cohen, M.A.

Consultant,Coach,MotivationalSpeaker,Instructor

Many of us think of “early childhood” as more than a stage of development a career choice. Join Richard as he shares his story and elicits the stories of his audience members. Laugh, cry and cheer as we reflect together on why we choose play, why we choose anti-bias work and why we choose to give young children meaningful learning experiences. What does it mean to place ourselves in positions of service? How do we balance our humanity and our professionalism in an ever-changing world? How are we community builders? Get ready for a keynote that will provoke your thinking, engage your emotions and nourish your spirit!

Center Stage

Cultivating the Creative Learner

Richard Cohen, M.A.

Get ready for a very nontraditional, interactive presentation filled with dancing, singing, playing, laughter and thoughtprovoking ideas about creativity, imagination and wonder. We’ll look at what’s happening in our brains and spirits as we create. We’ll explore how to encourage young children’s creative thinking and problem-solving. We’ll take a look at inspiring early childhood environments and activities and consider how to implement these ideas in our own spaces.

Friday Night Fun

Grown Ups Night Out

Richard Cohen, M.A.

After a long day of sessions, join in a fun-filled session of lighthearted singing, interactive games and, in a first for our field, Richard pokes good-natured fun at crying babies, snot-nosed kids, persnickety parents and hand-print holiday turkeys with his special brand of stand-up comedy created especially for stressed-out, paint-covered, marker-stained early childhood professionals!

Workforce Development

MiRegistry: What Will You See in 2023?

Track your growth, reach your potential. Join the MiRegistry team in this session for best practices, FAQ's, and new system features for members and trainers.

Carlie McKinney, MiRegistry

CKCC: Professionalism

Age Levels: Adult

Future PME Launch: How to Recruit Qualified Staff from High School CTE Programs

Learn how high school career and technical education students are earning their CDA and MI-YDA credentials and can work in your program as young as age 16 to meet your staffing needs.

Candace Vinson, Lorraine Thoreson & Robin Zeiter, Michigan Department of Education

CKCC: Management

Age Levels: Adult

Looking for Knowledge on the CDA and MiYDA Training and Credentialing Process? Come to the CDA and MiYDA Boot Camp.

Why reinvent the wheel? There are existing training resources available for supporting students obtaining their CDA and MI-YDA credentials. Presenters will share these resources and provide information about an opportunity for funding credential fees for CTE students.

Michigan AEYC Staff

CKCC: Professionalism

Age Levels: Adult

Program Administration

The First Years of a Directorship!

This training will focus on "What I wish I knew?", "What to do now?”, knowing your why, and running an effective staff meeting versus professional development training.

LaTonya Redfearn, Kids-R-Us Child Development Center, Inc.

CKCC: Management

Age Levels: Adult

Homelessness and Early Childhood Education For Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers - Making Every Moment Count

We will address the importance of intentional and impactful teaching of infants, toddlers and preschoolers experiencing homelessness. The largest percentage of children that enter homeless shelters are under the age of five. For early childhood educators the more traditional year with a child in a classroom is vastly different when working with children that are homeless. This session will provide insights into a high quality early childhood education program that is making a difference in the lives of young children and their moms that are homeless, and strategies to transfer to your program.

Elizabeth Grace, Alternatives for Girls

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: IT, PS

Introduction to A Leadership Map

This fast-paced session will introduce you to the 5 Levels of Leadership method, a map to assess, plan, grow, and develop your leadership and influence skills. Whether you're a new leader or experienced, if you've never heard about the 5 Levels of Leadership, this is definitely a session for you! You'll have access to several tools and resources to guide your growth after the session. Bring your leadership questions!

Michelle Burkhard, Grow By1

CKCC: Management

Age Levels: All, Adult

Educator Well-Being: A Tool for Recruitment and Retention

Staff retention and turnover are especially challenging now. Learn how you can lift up your current staff and attract new candidates by focusing on well-being! By learning a framework, as well as lots of tools, you will leave this session with ideas about how your organization can become a magnet for healthy educators.

Jennifer Moore, Moore Well-Being & Priscilla Lindsey, Prescott Elementary School

CKCC: Management

Age Levels: All, Adult

Expulsion Prevention: Determination, Skills and a Plan

Preschool children are expelled at least three times more than school-aged children. Learn skills for challenging behaviors and ideas on which to build a plan and policies to prevent expulsion.

Elizabeth Villaverde, Great Start to Quality Western Resource Center & Allison Caledonis, Consultant & Trainer

CKCC: Interactions & Guidance

Age Levels: IT, PS, KP

Caring for MI Future

Caring for MI Future is a statewide effort to help child care entrepreneurs open 1,000 new or expanded child care programs by the end of 2024. This initiative, led by the Michigan Departments of Education and Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (MDE & LARA) is focusing on what entrepreneurs need most to open and expand child care businesses help finding and renovating space, startup funding, help recruiting staff, and support creating a business plan.

Myron Gray, LARA Child Care Licensing Bureau

CKCC: Management

Age Levels: Adult

Anishinaabe 101

Your service area includes the Indigenous peoples of Michigan, the Anishinaabe. How much do you really know about them? What implicit bias do you hold that we can address? What historical traumas have they experienced that lead to modern day barriers to outreach and care, and what are cultural protocols for a diverse group of people like the Anishinaabe?

Meredith Kennedy, Storyteller

CKCC: Professionalism

Age Levels: All, Adult

How to Effectively Use Your Coaching & Mentoring Tools

This fast-paced session will help you understand how the tools of coaching and mentoring can be used to increase your leadership effectiveness, help others get their work done, and lower your stress level. You'll learn the difference between these two tools and when to use them with which person you want to lead.

Michelle Burkhard, Grow By1

CKCC: Management

Age Levels: All, Adult

Quality Education and the Health of Young

Children: What Really Matters?

The health of young children is foundational to quality early care and education. But what aspects of health are important and should be prioritized in Michigan's child cares and preschools? An experienced expert panel debates!

Brooke Rains, Child Care Network & Andrew

Hashikawa, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan

CKCC: Health, Safety & Nutrition

Age Levels: All

What On-Site Observation Tool is Right for Me?

Learn about options for On-Site Observation in the newly reimagined Great Start to Quality. Gain insight on CLASS, ERS, and SEL PQA. Feel empowered in making the observation tool choice that is right for you.

Jennifer Rountree & Kristen Howard, Early Childhood Investment Company

CKCC: Management

Age Levels: IT, PS, SA

Balancing it All from the Director's Desk to the Classroom

Discover how to balance, manage and facilitate staff, roles, responsibilities and parent demands while maintaining and running a successful child care program.

Dr. Tangella Colston

CKCC: Management

Age Levels: All

Social Emotional

Sharing the Calm: How Responsive Relationships

Lead to Stronger Self-Regulation Skills

Shift your perspective about children in support of a new approach to classroom management. Explore strategies to establish an environment of shared control while developing student self-regulation skills.

Ashley Hoy & Patty Bruder, HighScope Educational Research

CKCC: Interactions & Guidance

Age Levels: PS

Classroom Environments

High school students will present information about developmentally appropriate décor for classroom use. Information about how color impacts the learning will also be discussed.

Lindsey Arntson, DCTC High School Educational Careers Program

CKCC: Management

Age Levels: PS, KP, SA

Analyzing and Redirecting Challenging Behaviors in a Toddler Classroom

Toddlers are at an age where they are learning about their big emotions. Many times, those big feelings become normal, but challenging behaviors in a classroom. In this session, we are going to become social scientists as we work to dissect what needs toddlers are trying to communicate with their behaviors. We will also be exploring different strategies to experiment with in the classroom to redirect them to more appropriate and safer behaviors.

Alicia Oldham, Starfish Family Services

CKCC: Interactions & Guidance

Age Levels: IT

Grief and Loss: What about the Children?

This session will tackle the facts and myths about grief and loss - it is not just death that causes this. We will discuss the grieving process (for children and adults) and how we as the caring adults in those children's lives can help our children through this process. Resource for caregivers and families as well as children's literature resources will be available and shared.

Heidi Friedel, Consultant

CKCC: Child Development

Age Levels: All

The Importance of Social Emotional Learning

Social-emotional learning is vital for students to learn crucial life skills, including the ability to understand themselves, develop a positive self-image, take responsibility for their actions, and forge relationships with the people around them. How do we teach these skills to our little ones?

Kyle Lewandowski, Michigan AEYC Member-at-Large

CKCC: Interactions & Guidance

Age Levels: All

Understanding Behavior From the Inside Out

Behavior is communication. We tend to label behavior as good or bad. Behavior is the primary way children demonstrate what is happening in their autonomic nervous system. Changing our interactions contribute to children feeling safe, connected and belonging impacts behavior.

Gloria Sherman, Parenting and Teaching with G.L.O

CKCC: Interactions & Guidance

Age Levels: All

The Trauma Tree; Trauma Informed Care Part 1

We will review Erickson and Maslow and discuss the effect trauma has on brain development. We will also discuss the different types of trauma and ways to support young children in the classroom.

Michelle Smith, Starfish Family Services

CKCC: Interactions & Guidance

Age Levels: All

The Trauma Tree: Trauma Informed Care Part 2

After a review of trauma and ACEs in session 1, we will discuss ways to build relationships with children and families and practical ways to mitigate the effect of trauma in the classroom.

Michelle Smith, Starfish Family Services

CKCC: Interactions & Guidance

Age Levels: All

Sensory Awareness- Supporting Self Regulation Through Play

Sensory awareness is for everyone, as all behavior is communication. Let's find ways to understand and support the children in our care. Using curiosity and movement, we will find ways to help children self-regulate through activities and tools (not toys).

Allison Caledonis, Trainer & Elizabeth Villaverde, Villaverde Consulting

CKCC: Interactions & Guidance

Age Levels: All

Supporting Self-Regulation Development for Preschool and Kindergarten Children: An Overview of Early Findings from HighScope's Investing in Innovation Project

This presentation provides an overview of and findings from HighScope's Investing in Innovation (i3) Project that provided training and coaching to preschool and kindergarten teachers in Michigan to support children's self-regulation development.

Fernando Andrade & Madeline Chimka, HighScope Educational Research Foundation

CKCC: Interactions & Guidance

Age Levels: PS, KP

Prioritizing Reflective Classrooms and Programs

What is reflective consultation and why is it important for my classroom and children? Together we'll explore the benefits of reflective consultation on staff retention, program morale, and children's mood/ behavior.

Melanie Gwizdala, Genesee Health System & Christina Howard, St. Clair County Community Mental Health

CKCC: Interactions & Guidance

Age Levels: All, Adult

Mindfulness Mini-Retreat for the Early Childhood Professional

Do YOU have a habit of cultivating small, daily meaningful moments? Put on the brakes and gain focus! Carve out small spaces for self-care as a professional practice that renews creativity and revives work.

Cheryl Priest, Central Michigan University

CKCC: Professionalism

Age Levels: Adult

Infant & Toddler Care

Literacy for Children Birth Through 3...What Does that Look Like?

Language and emergent literacy skills develop rapidly during the first 3 years. This session will share practices and ideas that support children in developing their skills.

Jill Tarrant, CACS Head Start and Early Childhood Programs

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: IT

Sensory; It's Not Just Sand and Water

Explore methods to support sensory seeking students in your classroom through play, problem solving, and curriculum.

Alexandra Schenk & Alaina Yancy, Gretchen’s House

CKCC: Interactions & Guidance

Age Levels: IT, PS

Infant and Toddler Outdoor Environments

Taking Infants and toddlers outdoors can be challenging. Let's discuss ways to have an enjoyable and engaging outdoor experience. We will share pictures and examples of creative and simple ways to enhance the experience.

Sheila Johnson & Jenny Maynard, Wayne Oakland

Macomb Resource Center

CKCC: Interactions & Guidance

Age Levels: IT

Supporting Children with Disabilities or Suspected Delays in Inclusive Child Care Settings

In this session you will learn how to refer and support children, from birth through the age of five, with developmental delay(s) and/or disabilities to thrive in inclusive child care settings.

Preschool

Loose Parts for Preschoolers

Looking for ways to tap into children's natural sense of curiosity? Loose parts may just be the answer you have been searching for. Within a responsive learning environment, the use of loose parts strengthens creativity, problem-solving skills, divergent thinking, independence and critical thinking skills. Explore the theory and implementation of loose parts with Preschoolers in this interactive workshop.

Christine Britton, ECE Program Solutions

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS

Cooking in the Classroom

Cooking in the classroom with children can provide many valuable experiences...math, science/ technology, language, literacy and communication just to name a few. We will present/demonstrate some tried and true ideas you can use immediately as well as some new innovative ideas. Let's get in the kitchen together!

Rebecca Boss & Betsy Spiker, Heartfelt Impressions Learning Centers

CKCC: Family & Community Engagement

Age Levels: PS, KP, SA

Building Individual Accommodations into the Preschool Daily Routine

In the preschool program teachers work with children with a variety of developmental levels. To meet the individual needs of all children in the classroom, teachers often need to make accommodations. These can be added to the daily routine to make the preschool schedule meet the needs of all children.

Rachel Johns & Natasha VanSlambrouk, Preschool Teaching Professionals

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS

Jennifer Koenigsknecht, Early On Michigan & Laura Goldthwait, Michigan Department of Education

CKCC: Child Development

Age Levels: IT, PS

Setting Limits with Shared Control in the ECE Classroom

Shocking but true, you can set limits in a preschool classroom while sharing control with the children. Gain an understanding of the "why" and "how to" of setting limits and sharing control with the children.

Kimberly Tiemann & Autumn Jervis, Gretchen’s House

CKCC: Interactions & Guidance

Age Levels: PS

Enhancing and Extending Outdoor Experiences Using

Technology

During this workshop, participants will explore how to enhance exploration and discovery in the preschool outdoor learning environment, through meaningful integration of technology. Leaning on Principle #9 of NAEYC's (2022) Developmentally Appropriate Practice, participants will walk away from the workshop unpacking biases towards technology and realizing the potential it has on whole child development, when used intentionally in the outdoor learning environment.

Cindy Basse, Northern Michigan University & Tammra

Houseman, Bay College

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS, KP

Biophilia Design

Incorporating Biophilia Design by blending nature into Early Childhood spaces improves the health and wellness of everyone. Come here practical and low cost ideas to enhance your indoor and outdoor space.

JaneAnn Benson, Grand Rapids Community College

CKCC: Interactions & Guidance

Age Levels: All, Adult

Building a Strong Equitable Learning Foundation

An overview of six principles that support ALL children to make equitable gains on assessments: Inclusive Environments, Universal Design for Learning, Multi-tiered System of Support, Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, Emergent Bilingual Support, and Strengths-Based Family Engagement.

Lynne Hall, Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: IT, PS, KP

Beyond the School Day: Using Events as a Stepping Stone for Family and Community Engagement

Join us to learn how our program used monthly events as the building block to establishing a successful culture of family and community engagement within our program.

Elizabeth Hampton & Emily Welanko, Heartfelt

Impressions Learning Center

CKCC: Family & Community Engagement

Age Levels: All

Exploring Early Childhood Data in MI School Data

Come on a guided tour of the MI School Data portal, the home for Michigan's educational data. Explore the Early Childhood menus to access demographic and performance data. Learn how to search early childhood programs and explore student, program and pathway data. Connect PK programs to third grade M-STEP with assessment and performance comparisons. Access the new Quick Start Guides specifically for Early Childhood. Learn the roles and permissions available for educators and how to obtain a login.

Dr. Rhonda Provoast & Dr. Jennifer Parker, Macomb

Intermediate School District

CKCC: Observation, Documentation and Assessment

Age Levels: PS, KP, SA

Propping Up Children's Literacy Experiences

Explore the benefits of using props while reading books with young children. Through active engagement, learn how to select developmentally appropriate books, create usable props, and incorporate early childhood standards. There will be giveaways!

Margaret Mudge, Lowry Center for Early Childhood Education

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: IT, PS, KP

Great Start Toward Quality Inclusion: A Model and Resources for Including Each and Every Child

Learn how one Michigan school district promoted preschool inclusion. Hear about the professional development, learn from educators who planned for and implemented high-quality inclusive practices in their classrooms, and get all the inclusion resources.

Camille Catlett, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, UNC & Nicole Vandaele, Monroe County ISD

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS

Becoming Young Authors

Children want to write. They want to write the first day they attend school. Before they went to school they marked up walls, pavements and newspapers with crayons, chalk, pens or pencils...anything that makes a mark. Writing is not a guided practice- it's free hand!

Seniqa Smith, Whole Child Community Center

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS

Sleep: Health and Wellness for Staff- Introducing Sleep Health Programs for Parents and Preschoolers.

Sleep and routines are needed to build physical and emotional resilience. Learn how Pajama Program addresses this need, now part of CFOC national health guidelines, with its research supported, innovative sleep health programming, to help deliver "Good Nights for Good Days".

Ann Raftery, Pajama Program

CKCC: Family & Community Engagement

Age Levels: PS, Adult

Classroom Practices for Teaching Multilingual Learners

In this training, learn classroom practices for teaching Multilingual Learners (MLLs). Topics will include research on school readiness development, language, math, literacy, and social emotional skills, as well as small group learning. Additionally, there will be a concentration on language and early literacy skills for MLLs that will cover focusing on the home language in the classroom, developing vocabulary, phonological awareness, word recognition, print knowledge, and early writing. You will leave this training with the skills and knowledge to assist the MLLs in your classroom to have a successful head start in their education.

Jolene Andriaschko, Strategic Education Consulting Solutions, LLC

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS

Yours,

Mine and Ours -

and Students

Connecting with Families

This session will explore ways to connect to families and students and maintain that connection throughout the school year. We will discuss why a secure connection is important for early school success and how to transfer that connection at the end of the year or when the child moves on.

Lisa Clarke, St. Clair County RESA

CKCC: Family & Community Engagement

Age Levels: PS

Pre-K Classroom Arrangement - Creating an Intentional Learning Environment

Learn how to set up an intentional Pre-K Learning Environment and how the Learning environment is essential to the growth and development of children.

Felicia Wodarski, Great Start to Quality

CKCC: Interactions & Guidance

Age Levels: PS

Supporting Children with Special Needs Through Imbedding IEP Goals into the Daily Routine

In this session participants will learn strategies for embedding IEP goals and scaffolding on children's learning throughout the day while staying true to active learning and developmentally appropriate practices.

Shannon Lockhart, HighScope Foundation

CKCC: Child Development

Age Levels: PS

They've Got the Whole World in Their Hands: Geography for Young Children

Are you wondering how to introduce geography to young children? This presentation will provide examples of materials you can use to help present this topic in a developmentally appropriate way. Using a "parts to whole" framework, we will start with our planet and move to our continent, country, state, and city to help children understand their place on Earth. This workshop will cover ways to learn about the elements of the earth (land, air, water), land and water forms, and mapping. You will learn songs to sing and activities that refine small motor skills and visual-spatial relationships through hands-on learning experiences.

Nancy Guartofierro, Stepping Stones Montessori School and Chaminade University of Honolulu

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS, KP

Partnering with Parents of Color

Learn ways in which educators and parents can partner for the best interest of the child. We’ll provide educators with information on how to engage with people from various communities in effective ways. The session will also highlight the EPIC model of the two generational approach used by ELNC.

Shawna Smith, Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative

CKCC: Family & Community Engagement

Age Levels: PS, KP, SA

Rest Time Follies

During this presentation, participants will gain knowledge on how to create an environment that facilitates a peaceful and calm vibe while providing tools and comfort to assist children in achieving this goal during rest time.

Jodi Sarkella & Brooke Rains, Child Care Network

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS

Including Parents in the Classroom

Discover the benefits of including parents in your classroom. We’ll share a variety of ways you can involve parents in your programming.

Andrea Kitchner & Beverly Hayhurst, Somerset Academy Troy

CKCC: Family & Community Engagement

Age Levels: IT, PS

Outsmart the Wiggles: Big Body Play for Learning Success

When kids wiggle and can't control their bodies, it is hard for them to learn. Movement helps kids sit still/ attend. Through physical activity, kids learn selfregulation and build key strengths so when it is time to learn, they can. This session includes games that can be used immediately.

Preston Blackburn, Pivot to Play/Pop, Hop & Rock

CKCC: Child Development

Age Levels: All

Friday, April 21

Children's Literature: Using Books Everywhere and for Everything!

This presentation will include books on a wide range of subjects such as Social-Emotional, STEAM, Diversity and Inclusion. We will explore the multiple ways books can build the foundation for a safe space and fuel a passion for learning and literacy in early childhood.

Becky Garske, Consultant & Paula Spencer, Mott Community College

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS

Y5s / Kindergarten Transition Ideas

How can we help our preschoolers and their families successfully move on to elementary school? Learn about activities to assist staff, families, and children with this important transition and formulate your center's Y5s/Kindergarten Transition Plan.

Denise Swanson, The New Standard- GSRP

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS, KP

Supporting Curriculum Through Community Walks

Our class took weekly walks for a whole year. We visited community parks, nature areas and the neighborhood. Walks supported and enhanced learning across multiple learning domains. Now the walks are a regular part of each school year. Learn how you can use community walks to support learning in your preschool program.

Joyce Neyer, Isabella Child Development Center

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS

Bringing Books to Life

Using props and other materials, we will look at ways to extend learning after a read aloud, how to incorporate books into all areas of your curriculum and how to use books to support families through difficult situations.

Lisa Clarke, St. Clair County RESA

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS

Preschool and Play!

During this presentation, participants will gain knowledge on how to create an environment that facilitates a peaceful and calm vibe while providing tools and comfort to assist children in achieving this goal during rest time.

Natasha VanSlambrook & Rachel Johns, Preschool Teaching Professionals

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS

Reaching Higher with HighScope

Learn the benefits of High Scope and how to properly implement this curriculum in your classroom from Plan-Do-Review, to scaffolding and the importance of child-led play and child-guided lesson plans.

Amber Jones, West Bloomfield Preschool Academy & Kyle Lewandowski, Stepping Stones Daycare and Preschool

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS

School Age

Literacy Stations for Young Learners

Literacy stations are a great way to differentiate learning for all students in the classroom. This interactive session will focus on how to create, implement, and manage literacy stations without substantial preparation time.

Kirsten Cannon, Lakota Local Schools

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS, KP, SA

Professionalism

Adventures in Networking: Building Your Early Childhood Career One Step at a Time

Have you wanted to expand on your early childhood career and did not know where to start? Our field needs to retain and grow our future early childhood leaders. This training will cover what next steps you can take to expand your career in early childhood education including resumes, marketing yourself, job hunting, interviewing, and of course networking! Tips and resources will be shared so that you can make the most of your early childhood career.

Jolene Andriaschko, Strategic Education Consulting Solutions, LLC

CKCC: Professionalism

Age Levels: All

Leveraging Teacher Voice to Support Future

Instruction Transitions: Lessons from the 20202021 School Year

This presentation includes experiences from preschool teachers that navigated transitions between remote and in-person instruction during the 2020-2021 school year. Findings include recommendations for future transitions and remote instruction based on teacher experiences and perceptions.

Madeline Chimka, HighScope Educational Research Foundation & Chloe Reeble, University of Nebraska

CKCC: Management

Age Levels: Adult

A Conversation with the Governor’s Office

Join Michelle Richard, Senior Education Policy Advisor to Governor Whitmer, to learn about current Early Childhood initiatives; followed by a Q & A.

Kirsten Charneskey, Michigan AEYC Advocacy Chair & Michelle Richard, Early Childhood Policy Advisor for Governor Whitmer

CKCC: Professionalism

Age Levels: All

Cultural Competence and Why it is Important for the Success of the Program and Community

In this session, participants will discuss the importance of cultural competence when practiced with intentionality to promote equality and bridge the gap in early childhood classrooms to ensure quality education and better serve programs and the community.

Felicitas Gonalez-Memberillo & Najwa Dahdah, Empowered Child Care

CKCC: Interactions & Guidance

Age Levels: All

Federal Policy Session

Early Learning is at the forefront of federal policy conversations. Join NAEYC staff to hear about what’ s happening and how you can become involved.

NAEYC

CKCC: Professionalism

Age Levels: All

Poster Session

Research & Practice

Teachers, service providers, researchers, and students across disciplines share information about early childhood, early intervention, inclusive practice, family-school relationships, teacher education, professional development and related areas.

Presented in Partnership with the Michigan Division for Early Childhood

CKCC: Professionalism

Age Levels: All

Saturday, April 22

7:00am - 10:30am

8:30am - 10:00am

10:15am - 2:00pm

10:15am - 4:15pm

General Session Keynote

You Are Not Alone: Solutions to Daily Challenges

Dr. Thomasa Bond

Author,Consultant,ChildCareLicensing

As a caregiver and provider, you are required to wear multiple hats and as a result you may feel alone when you face issues and situations with children, staff, and parents. Well, you are not alone. Together, we’ll examine real life challenges experienced in actual settings and outline how to avoid mistakes, oversights, and incidents as much as possible by learning how to proactively address issues before they occur.

Special Event

Live Zumbini Instructor Training

Caitlin Basler, Zumbini

Created by Zumba and BabyFirst, Zumbini® is a fun, unique, and effective early childhood program designed to promote cognitive, social, emotional, and motor skill development for children ages birth through five through music and movement! Appropriate with and without caregivers for each child, the Zumbini® program is made up of singing, dancing, and instrument play for non-stop learning, bonding, and fun.

Michigan AEYC has partnered with Zumbini to bring this live instructor training training event to Grand Rapids so that you can bring this program to your community or early learning program. Once completed, you’ll have the opportunity to join Zumbini’s PLAY Instructor Network for ongoing access to curriculum, review materials, and more for an a monthly fee.

Pre-Registration is required. Space is limited to the first 40 registrants.

Fee:

Michigan AEYC Member (Standard or Premium Level) Free Non-Member

$35

Register HERE: https://miaeyc.formstack.com/forms/zumbini_training_april_22

Saturday, April 22

Program Administration

Recruit, Prepare, and Support Parent Leaders for Success

How are you implementing the policies you established for authentic parent leadership? What are some best practices for recruiting parents? Who should you recruit? Who should do the recruiting? How could they recruit? Let the parents of Mitten Mommas address how to build the support and programming to recruit, prepare and support Family Leaders for success.

Meredith Kennedy & Mia Hawthorn, Mitten Mommas

CKCC: Family & Community Engagement

Age Levels: All

Level Up with Great Start to Quality

Learn about Great Start to Quality's new Quality Improvement Recognition System. GSQ staff will walk you through how to achieve a new quality level in the new QRIS.

Dana Frederick & Melissa Mosley, Early Childhood Investment Corporation

CKCC: Professionalism

Age Levels: All

Social Emotional

Stop the Tantrums

We can only say, "STOP" so many times before we lose our marbles! There is a plethora of research out there that shares why your child may be having tantrums, and how exactly to go about stopping them. Learn how you can use super practical and easy -to-follow steps to minimize these tantrums, lower your stress level, and regain control of your home.

Jenna Young, Behavior Therapist & Parent Coach

CKCC: Interactions & Guidance

Age Levels: IT, PS

Peace, Not Pieces: Building Relationships Within the School Walls

Do adults need Positive Emotional Development and Learning Skills (PEDALS)? We will learn the steps to building strong relationships and creating an atmosphere of peace and not pieces for the children in our care.

Tonya Reeves, PEDALS

CKCC: Professionalism

Age Levels: Adult

The Classroom Family

An intentional focus on diversity and inclusion. This session will delve into strategies for educators to represent the families in their classrooms to ensure an equitable, diverse, and inclusive experience for all.

Jessica Logan, HighScope Research Foundation

CKCC: Family & Community Engagement

Age Levels: PS

Communicating With Your Team

This training looks at how to communicate with your team effectively and strategies for communicating in ways that will promote active supervision and engagement with children.

Julie Sizemore, RESPECT Care Teaching

CKCC: Professionalism

Age Levels: Adult

Young at Heart: Adult Learning Principles through the Lens of Play

Adults need to play too! Join a conversation about bringing playful learning to grown-ups through a lens of family engagement and caregiver education. Come ready to play as we explore these principles with hands-on play invitations!

Meighan Taylor & Angela Aernouts, Play and Learn

GRCC

CKCC: Family & Community Engagement

Age Levels: IT, PS, Adult

Saturday, April 22

Infant & Toddler Care

Promoting and Supporting Inclusive Care for Infants

and Toddlers

This session will provide information and resources on how to create a climate of individualized support to meet high expectations for children with disabilities in infant and toddler education programs. An introduction to free online inclusion modules, which are available to promote and support high-quality inclusive care, will also be provided in this session.

Brenda Woods & Jorri Novak, Office of Innovative Projects/Early On Training and Technical Assistance

CKCC: Child Development

Age Levels: IT

Language and Literacy for Infants and Toddlers

We have all heard that reading and talking with infants and toddlers is important, but have you ever wondered how and why? This workshop will provide you with background knowledge and practical tips you need to start creating a quality language and literacy-rich environment for the infants and toddlers in your care.

Christine Britton, ECE Program Solutions

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: IT

Perfect Playthings for Infants and Toddlers

Choosing perfect playthings for infants and toddlers helps them explore their world and will stimulate their curiosity, develop coordination, lets them express themselves, and helps them build on what they already know!

Sheila Johnson, Great Start to Quality Wayne Oakland Macomb Resource Center

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: IT

Turning your "No" into "Yes": Activities to Redirect Challenging Behaviors in Your Learning Environment

Participants will learn new activities to help redirect challenging behaviors for all ages.

Jenny Maynard, Leaps and Bounds Family Services

CKCC: Interactions & Guidance

Age Levels: All

Preschool

Planning for Extending of Instruction: Creating Standards-Based Checklists with Developmental Continuum or Learning Trajectories in Mind

Participants will create their own checklists based on standards. Then, discuss the role of their checklists in helping with intentional identification of extension points in their scaffolding of children's development and learning.

Martha Baiyee, Eastern Michigan University

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: All

Playing with Purpose!: Crafting Child-led Centers that Leverage Play as a Vehicle for StandardAligned Learning

Play is a powerful instructional method for PreK that leads to rigorous learning for students across all backgrounds and abilities. For teachers, it can be a challenge to balance standard-driven benchmarks and specific learning objectives with opportunities for child-led play. This session takes a closer look at center time to explore ways that teachers can intentionally craft opportunities for child-directed play that hits on key early learning concepts and skills. Learn easy to implement strategies that guide student inquiry and cultivate meaningful play experiences with standard-aligned outcomes.

Debby Spitzer, Hand2mind

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS, KP

Saturday, April 22

My Favorite Family Tradition: A Year-Long Family Engagement Project

Traditions represent a child's unique family unit and are a part of a child's unique family culture. Families visited the classroom communities and shared their favorite home traditions within a year-long, documented project.

Julie Burns-Ross, Teacher

CKCC: Family & Community Engagement

Age Levels: PS

Initial Conversations With Parents About Autism

Spectrum Disorder

If you've ever struggled with the thought of starting a conversation with parents about their child showing signs of autism, come hear from children in the autism community, as well as specialists who work with autistic people, and even a parent of an autistic child.

Katie Slajus, Somerset Academy

CKCC: Family & Community Engagement

Age Levels: All

Science Activities in a Faith Based Environment

This session will focus on developmentally appropriate science activities with a direct linkage to Bible stories utilized in faith based environments. Participants will be encouraged to participate in and interact with experiments and activities

Nicole Beattie, Storytime with Ms. Nicole

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS, KP, SA

Leaping into Literacy

Join us as we leap into a fun filled, intentional discussion focusing on Early Literacy development and instructional practices. This training will provide childcare professionals with interactive, hands-on activities to add to your learning environment.

Kelly Pyle & Felicia Wodarski, Great Start to Quality

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS

Where the Arts Come Into Play; Intro 101

An introduction to the Theory of Multiple Intelligence, recognizing how each child learns in his/her own way. We will present successful activities incorporating children's literature with Music, Movement and Dramatic play.

Todd Greenbaum, Neighborhood Child Care Consultants

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS

Where the Arts Come Into Play; DIY Workshop

201

As a follow up to Intro 101, we will provide materials, storybooks and supplies for participants to create an activity on a chosen book that applies to one or several Multiple Intelligence through the Arts.

Todd Greenbaum, Neighborhood Child Care Consultants

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS

Knowledge of Self and Others: Going Beyond Paper and Pencil Self-Portraits

How can we meet the needs of all learners? What if children aren't ready to draw or write? Come find out how you can incorporate self-portraits into your lesson plans throughout the year, while keeping it fun and engaging for all students with the use of non-standard, open-ended materials.

Jennifer Stortini, Dearborn Public Schools GSRP

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS

Saturday, April 22

Mindful Kids: The Art of Practicing Mindfulness in Early Childhood Programs

This training focuses on mindfulness in early childhood education. Participants will gain an understanding of what mindfulness is, why it is important and strategies to incorporate it into their classroom, with individual and group activities.

Deborah Nerderman, ECE Program Solutions

CKCC: Child Development

Age Levels: PS

Pairing Picture Books with STEAM

Bridging the gap to bring literacy and STEAM together! Picture books open the door to children's imaginations, and that is just the beginning. Take learning to the next level and extend with STEAM!

Renee Reid & Jennifer Stortini, Dearborn Public Schools

CKCC: Family & Community Engagement

Age Levels: All

Rough and Tumble Play: Learning Your Limits

This presentation focuses on how rough and tumble play can be introduced into both child cares and schools in way that fosters gross motor, fine motor, and social-emotional development. These activities are often shut down immediately by teachers, but are developmentally appropriate and can be a great learning experience for both children and teachers.

Andrew Jones, Little Seeds Child Development Company

CKCC: Child Development

Age Levels: IT, PS, KP

My Class is Coding! Play-based

Technology in the Classroom

Skills associated with coding are common to many taught in preschool. Early coding skills support sorting, classifying, recognition of shapes and sets. Learn how to add coding to your curriculum and all without a computer.

Kathy Gilbert, KMG Research

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS, KP, SA

Hey, Mural! Building Classroom Community

Learn how preschoolers reflected classroom community by creating a mural inspired by Hey Wall! by Susan Verde. Be inspired by this visual representation of community using literature as a springboard. Mural will be presented.

Kathryn Maisonville & Kathleen Pernick, Detroit Country Day School

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS

Differentiation: A Big Word Made Easy

Gain a better understanding of what differentiation means, how assessment plays a role, and leave with ways to easily incorporate differentiation into classroom activities and learning centers.

Alayna Bialick & Marija Pasalic, Somerset Academy

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS

It Takes a Village: How Your Program Can Help Families Grow

Their Tribe

Join us to learn how you can use your program to help families and children build life-long connections that provide support and stability.

Emily Welanko & Elizabeth Hampton, Heartfelt Impressions Learning Center

CKCC: Family & Community Engagement

Age Levels: All

Meaningful Connections in the Classroom

Meaningful connections between you and your students helps them experience greater growth in the classroom. During this session you will gain Knowledge about their development to help make those connections.

Jessica Westness, St. Paul’s Preschool

CKCC: Child Development

Age Levels: IT, PS

Totally Integrated STEM

STEM is not 4 subjects; it is a state of mind and a set of habits of mind. Play, sing, dance, read and measure with us in a totally new approach.

Dr. Juliana Texley, JASON Learning

CKCC: Observation, Documentation and Assessment

Age Levels: All

Meaningful Math and Sensory Science

Learn creative ways to make math and science experiences more interactive in your learning environment for your preschool aged children.

Felicia Wodarski & Kelly Pyle, Great Start to Quality

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS

The Power of a Name: Using Children's Names to Foster a Sense of Community

Participants will discuss the various ways that they foster a sense of community in their early childhood settings. They will leave with a ready to use strategy on how to tap into children's names in achieving the goal of creating a positive and caring sense of community.

Martha Baiyee, Eastern Michigan University

CKCC: Child Development

Age Levels: All

School Age

Thick Conversations During Play to Enhance Learning

Play is an integral part of children's learning. This session focuses on facilitating thick conversations to reinforce and extend children's learning. Participants will examine thick conversations and explore ways to incorporate them within children's play.

Megan Matson & Lauren Westra, Central Michigan University

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS, KP, SA

How to Succeed and Communicate Effectively with the Most Challenging Personalities - How to Get Along When You Don't Get Along

True family and school collaboration is what we all strive to accomplish, but sometimes personalities and disagreements over how best to educate children create roadblocks to our success. How do you rebuild a trusting relationship when that trust has been broken? What are the most common barriers to collaboration? What is our role, and how do we move forward successfully?

Cheryl Levine & Beth Kohler, Special Education Mediation Services

CKCC: Family & Community Engagement

Age Levels: All

They're Children's Books: What Are We So Afraid Of?

Children's books are being challenged in schools and libraries across the country. In this session, participants will explore the affordances children's books provide in providing justice and equity in early childhood.

Tracy Donohue, Central Michigan University & Kristen White, Northern Michigan University

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS, KP, SA

Saturday, April 22

Home Based Child Care

Meal Planning With Children...Can It Be As Easy As Ordering Pizza?

During this session, providers will discover meal planning techniques and quick preparation tips. Ideas will be shared on how to include children and engage families with every day menus, and a discussion on creating a cookbook.

Carrie Brock, Early Childhood Discovery House, LLC & Jill Tarrant, CACS Head Start and Early Head Start Programs

CKCC: Health, Safety & Nutrition

Age Levels: All

Strategies to Improve Work/Life Balance for Home Based Programs

In this session, we will talk about identifying areas impacting and discuss strategies to improve work life balance and reduce the burden of business operations for home-based child care providers.

Liz Fuss & Tina Blanchard, Child Care Network / Great Start to Quality Southeast Resource Center

CKCC: Management

Age Levels: All

CLASS: A Framework for Building Connections and Strengthening Collaboration

Learn about the CLASS as a framework for teacher-child interactions, with a focus on family child care and group home settings. During this session, we will discuss how CLASS serves as a framework to support effective interactions, continuous improvement, and teaching. We will also explore how Teachstone is bringing forward enhancements that make the tool more equitable to use, easier to access, and more impactful.

Sara Diamond, Kim Pold & Christina Nystrom, Teachstone

CKCC: Interactions & Guidance

Age Levels: All

Family Game Night

Family Game night for all! Incorporate games into your classroom or that can be used as a family night to show parents how to interact with children at home.

Kristin Carrick-Myers & Stephanie Robison, The Houghton Lake United Methodist Church Preschool/ GSRP

CKCC: Family & Community Engagement

Age Levels: PS

A Home Provider's Guide for Using Children's Play

Schemas to Plan Materials and Activities

Have you ever felt frustrated that you've bought a great new piece of equipment for your children, but they just want to play with the box? Do you have children who are always throwing things, climbing on things, or hiding little things they find in their pockets? This session will offer some insight into the meaningful purpose of those types of behaviors and help end power struggles.

Becky Stoessner, Head Start for Kent County

CKCC: Child Development

Age Levels: All

Professionalism

Maximizing Empathy, Minimizing Distress: A Conversation on Student Support and Teacher Wellbeing

Join us in a conversation around compassion fatigue, empathetic distress, and burnout. How do we care for students while prioritizing our wellbeing? How can we navigate relationship building and student support without experiencing compassion fatigue?

Margaret Petix & Dr. Katie Sloan, Central Michigan University

CKCC: Professionalism

Age Levels: All

Saturday, April 22

Avoiding Burnout - The Importance of Self Care for Child Care Providers

Self care is a hot topic and navigating burnout is an even bigger topic. We will talk about what self care looks like in child care and how you can implement it regularly.

Julie Sizemore, RESPECT Care Teaching

CKCC: Professionalism

Age Levels: Adult

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® MICHIGAN provides financial assistance for tuition, books, travel and release time for providers who are currently working in the early childhood field.

For more information, visit www.miaeyc.org

CDA from A to Z

Participants will be provided an overview of the CDA credentialing process. The scholarship eligibility and potential cost requirements will also be outlined. We will also discuss the application process with the Council for Professional recognition, and the required documents needed to submit a T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship application. Other scholarships we offer at T.E.A.C.H. will also be outlined. We will also provide some resources and websites to help support attendees through the CDA process.

Michigan AEYC

CKCC: Professionalism

Age Levels: Adult

Late-Add Sessions

The New Early Childhood Standards of Quality for Birth to Kindergarten: What Are They and What Do You Need to Know?

The Michigan State Board of Education approved new early childhood standards for early learning and program quality in November 2022. Learn about the new standards reflect changes in state and national guidelines, as well as advances in research around brain development, social-emotional learning, equity, and trauma-informed education.

Bonnie Bonifield & Richard Lower, Michigan

Department of Education

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: IT, PS

Track: Preschool

Thursday, April 20

NAEYC and the Unifying Framework

The Unifying Framework reflects unprecedented consensus by educators across states and settings, administrators, employers, and higher education, incorporates the recommendations from all eight decision cycles, including those related to educator roles and responsibilities, aligned preparation and pathways, professional compensation, and a supportive infrastructure with shared accountability.

Mary Harrill, NAEYC

CKCC: Professionalism

Age Levels: Adult

Track: Professionalism

Thursday, April 20

On-Demand Only

Love of Literacy Bringing Books to Life

Inspire a love of literacy in children by equipping early childhood educators and parents with the tools to bring classic children's books to life through an event called Book Days: an event combining a theatrical experience with themed activities.

Kassi Kincaid, Book Days

CKCC: Child Development

Age Levels: PS

Track: Preschool

Using the New Early Childhood Standards of Quality for Birth to Kindergarten in Your Early Childhood Practice

The Michigan State Board of Education approved new early childhood standards for early learning and program quality in November 2022. We’ll dig deep into how to use these standards in your practice – the examples, tips, suggestions, and reflection questions built in to support our work with children and families.

Bonnie Bonifield & Richard Lower, Michigan

Department of Education

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: IT, PS

Friday, April 21; Track: Preschool

Friday, April 21

Are you asking the right question? Supporting Higher Order Thinking skills in young children

Let’s be intentional in the use of questions and vocabulary. This training will provide information to embed in daily routines to support higher-order thinking skills, and language competence.

Sandra Ampudia, The Discovery Source

CKCC: Interactions & Guidance

Age Levels: IT, PS

Track: Preschool

On-Demand Only

Dando Apoyo al Desarrollo de las Funciones Ejeuctivas en la Primera Infancia (dual-language session)

Supporting the Development of Executive Function in Early Childhood

During this session, participants will reflect on executive functions and how these impact behavior in preschool.

Karen Murillo, HighScope Educational Research Foundation

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: PS

Track: Preschool

Tips for Engaging Fathers in the Early Education Process

This interactive workshop will highlight resources for early childhood educators to help them effectively recruit, engage, and equip the fathers. Father involvement in early education is directly connected to academic achievement. This presentation will overview tips, best practices, and strategies for involving fathers in educational development.

James Worthy, National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse

CKCC: Family & Community Engagement

Age Levels: Adult Track: Professionalism

Loose Parts for Infants and Toddlers

Infants and toddlers are natural scientist with a drive to investigate and mater their world. Playing with loose parts fosters children curiosity. Come learn the value of loose parts in infant and toddler programs.

Deborah Nerderman, ECE Program Solutions

CKCC: Teaching & Learning

Age Levels: IT

Track: Infant Toddler

ACEs, The Brain and Behaviors: How Teachers Can Change Children's Learning Outcomes

This workshop will focus on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), their impact on development, and how teachers can make a difference in preschool children's learning outcomes via trauma-informed practices. Strategies to support children's social-emotional and cognitive learning will be presented through activities and discussions.

Dr. Wanda Spalteholz, Macomb County Head Start

CKCC: Family & Community Engagement

Age Levels: PS, Adult Track: Social Emotional

Estrategias de Apoyo para Familias, Niños y Niñas Bilingües (dual-language presentation)

Supportive Strategies for Dual Language Families and Children

In this dual-language session, participants will gain an insight on the importance of creating spaces for dual language children, as well as supportive interactions for families.

Karen Murillo, HighScope Educational Research Foundation

CKCC: Family & Community Engagement

Age Levels: IT, PS, KP Track: Social Emotional

Tipping the Scales: Helping Children Overcome Adversity and Build Resilience

Participants will be able to review adverse and positive childhood experience, and protective factor frameworks, as well as explore how to integrate knowledge of ACEs, HOPE and protective factors into family engagement and parent education. We'll identify strategies to identify and cultivate protective factors and demonstrate how parent educators and community organizations collaborate to support family resiliency.

Amanda Hill, Parenting Now

CKCC: Family & Community Engagement

Age Levels: IT, PS, KP

Track: Infant Toddler