‍ Curriculum

Curriculum Planning Cycle and DAP

Explore how observation, assessment, goal setting, planning, and interactions are interconnected in the process of teaching and learning.

Elements of Curriculum

Learn about the core elements of curriculum, deepening your understanding of how to use your curriculum to support children’s engagement and learning

Implementing Curriculum with Fidelity & Authenticity

Explore what it means to implement curriculum with fidelity in ways that feel natural and honor your teaching philosophy and style. This session will provide concrete strategies to ensure that you are meeting the goals and objectives of the curriculum in ways that honor a joyful approach to teaching and learning.

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Observation & Assessment

Observation: Wait, Watch & Wonder

Observation requires that we slow down and really pay attention to what children are trying to communicate. Explore strategies to observe and really notice what children know and are able to do. Learn about how observation is critical to planning and teaching.

Using Observation to Know Children

The purpose of observation and assessment is to help us know children well, to build relationships, be responsive, and plan for their learning. This session will explore observation through the lens of knowing children and paying attention to what they are interested in in order to support engagement and inspire learning.

Strategies for Documenting Observations

Join us for this practical, strategy-filled session on documenting your observations. Explore ways to observe and document while facilitating and interacting with children. Observation and documentation should not take you away from connecting with children.

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Domains of Development Deep Dives

Diving into the Domains of Development: Approaches to Learning

Dive into the domain of Approaches to Play and Learning. We will review the domain through the lens of child development research and neuroscience. Concrete strategies to support learning through the environment and effective interactions will be highlighted.

Diving into the Domains of Development: Language & Communication

Dive into the domain of Language & Communication. We will review the domain through the lens of child development research and neuroscience. Concrete strategies to support learning through the environment and effective interactions will be highlighted.

Diving into the Domains of Development: Cognition

Dive into the domain of Cognition. We will review the domain through the lens of child development research and neuroscience. Concrete strategies to support learning through the environment and effective interactions will be highlighted.

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Creating a Learning Environment

Creating a Learning Environment: Collections & Open-Ended Materials

Support learning and engagement through open-ended materials. Explore strategies for promoting curiosity, creativity, and imagination with preschool-aged children.

Creating a Learning Environment: Outdoor Space for Learning & Interaction

Support learning and engagement through outdoor play. Explore strategies to increase your use of outdoor play and exploration to support cognitive, social, language, and physical development.

Creating a Learning Environment: Risky Play & Development

In this session, we will explore how risk supports children’s cognitive, language, social, and physical development. Concrete strategies to increase challenge and promote problem-solving will be shared.

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Effective Interactions

The Power of How You Are: Creating a Community of Learners

The beginning of the school year offers educators the opportunity to build a classroom community that fosters relationship-building and engagement. Explore strategies for connecting with children, supporting children in knowing and meeting expectations, and building trust that enables risk-taking and persistence.

Thinking About Thinking: Supporting Cognition through the Day

Explore what learning looks like for young children and what we should be teaching in our classrooms and programs. The science of learning and brain development within the first five years will be integrated with research-based instructional strategies.

Thinking Out Loud: Strategies for Supporting Language and Communication

In this session, we will explore what language learning looks like for young children. Strategies to enhance children’s understanding of language and use of language will be discussed. Communication, language, and literacy will be viewed as tools for learning across the domains.

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