Professional Development

The restorative power of nature has been well-documented for both children and adults. When we take learning outdoors, we open up opportunities for children and youth to explore and discover a wide range of skills that enhance everything from emotional well-being to cognition. Join us as we introduce you to the benefits and elements of nature-based learning.

During this session you will learn about the connections between positive child development and nature-based learning. Join the journey as we discover and plan age-appropriate activities, spaces and centers that can be easily incorporated at your program.

Our world is filled with sight, sound, smell, taste and touch that our body must take in almost constantly. But what happens when a child or youth's body is unable to effectively read or respond to this information? This webinar will teach you some basics about sensory processing and how challenges with this important area of development impact behavior.

"Advocacy" might seem like something for lawmakers in Washington, DC, but in fact, you are an advocate for children every day. Join us to find out more about your role as an advocate and to learn additional strategies you can use to support all children in your care.

An individual’s teaching philosophy often shapes how they view fairness in a preschool classroom. Is fairness about everyone getting the same things, or providing individuals with what they need to succeed? How do we deal with the feelings that may arise when some get the help they need, while others don’t? Join us for a webinar that will explore these questions, differentiate equality and equity, and outline strategies to help educators decide when to encourage sameness, and when to promote opportunities for success.

Have you ever quietly (or loudly) expressed, “why can’t you sit still?” Or maybe you have been frustrated with children who struggle to attend to tasks, can’t wait for their turn, act before they think… the list goes on! These behaviors are all related to self-regulation. This webinar will help you understand the difference between emotional and behavioral self-regulation and strategies to teach children self-regulatory skills.

Many preschool teachers have noticed a shift in the groups of children in their classrooms. Children with and without disabilities seem to have increasingly complex needs that are difficult to manage in a preschool environment. This webinar will cover how to structure your classroom and adjust your teaching style to address the multiple needs of multiple children in the same room.

Naptime can be one of the most challenging times of day in a Preschool classroom. Providers are juggling multiple responsibilities, covering breaks, and supervising the group, all the while meeting the individual needs of children. Multi-tasking, scheduling, and a consistent routine are essential for successful naptime transitions. Join us on a webinar that will outline strategies for multi-tasking, setting a routine, and meeting the individual needs of children; especially the ones that don’t nap!

Does it ever seem like parents just don’t get it? How can you better understand where they are coming from? How can you help families understand what you see in the program? This webinar will help providers understand varied family perspectives and responses and offer strategies to collaborate with families to build upon each other’s experiences, expertise, and resources to agree on how to include the child meaningfully.

It’s not easy being three. While “terrible twos,” is a familiar term, many parents have a more difficult time with their children at three than at two. In fact, most children people call KIT for help with are three-year-olds. You may be feeling the same way, especially those of you in a mixed-age preschool class. In this webinar, we’ll discuss why it’s hard to be three years old and how you can support three-year-olds' unique developmental needs.