The Michigan Division for Early Childhood 2014 Conference offers a strong emphasis on support for social-emotional development, including support for infant-parent attachment, strategies for addressing challenging behavior, support for caregiver mental health, and self-care for providers and teachers. Sessions will offer content for personnel, administrators, faculty, and families with vital interest in serving/educating children birth to age 8 with special needs.
Parking will be available in Lots 22 & 43.
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Friday - May 02, 2014
Session 1: Friday - 10:45am to 12:00pm
A - Follow-up: Keynote Presentation “A Safe Place to Question, Explore & Plan for the Safety & Success of Children with Disabilities
Harold Johnson, Professor Emeritus/Kent State University
This workshop first and foremost is designed to provide a context where individuals can ask questions and explore topics, resources and strategies that were shared during the conference Keynote presentation. The emphasis of the workshop is upon how families and professionals can use the information to help ensure the safety and success of their children/students.
(B-8)
118
B - A Facilitative Approach to Home Visiting
Kerenda Applebey, Berrien Regional Educational Service Agency
This workshop is intended for both practitioners and supervisors. There is growing research/evidence that interventions that are targeted primarily toward children or parents are not as effective as interventions targeted at the parent-child interactions. This workshop will identify current research, best practices and resources regarding this facilitative approach to early intervention. It will also help participants to understand the differences between traditional approaches to home visiting (teaching by modeling) and this facilitative approach. The key characteristics of this approach will be reviewed and the audience will be included in a discussion regarding the application of these techniques in practical terms.
(B-3)
213
C - Encouraging Empathy in Toddlers
Joellen Lewsader, Central Michigan University
Recent research has demonstrated that young toddlers are able to demonstrate empathy for others. However, this emotional capability needs to be reinforced through modeling and a nurturing environment. This session will present ideas on how to encourage toddlers to develop their natural empathy and pro-social skills.
(B-3)
321
D - RELAX; Alternatives to Anger for Parents & Caregivers
Gail Innis, Michigan State University Extension
Holly Tiret, Michigan State University Extension
RELAX: Alternatives to Anger is designed to provide participants with an understanding of the developmental stages of self-control and emotional literacy in children. Activities and techniques will be introduced that support social emotional development to reduce stress and anger, improve communication skills and teach ways to make positive behavior changes.
(B-8)
232
E - Challenging Behavior and Early Childhood Settings: Utilizing Antecedent Strategies
Meaghan McCollow, Central Michigan University
This presentation will describe research-based antecedent strategies intended to prevent challenging behaviors by increasing independence and reducing adult prompting in early childhood settings with diverse learners. Strategies presented will include activity schedules, incorporating preference and choice, and using self-monitoring. Data collection and steps for implementation will also be discussed.
215
F - Reflection and Parent Coaching to Support Parent/Child Interactions – Part 1
Debbie Lively, Saginaw Valley State University
Colleen D'Arcy, Saginaw Valley State University
The target audience for this presentation includes early childhood educators, particularly home visitors. This presentation is designed to provide an overview of parent coaching techniques, to develop competencies with video recorded interactions using an iPad, phone or other recording devices, and to facilitate reflection for enhancing parent child interactions. It is through reflection and self-discovery that caregivers will begin to develop ways to facilitate more positive interactions enhancing outcomes for their children. Using technology to capture caregiver/child interactions or educator/caregiver/child interactions provides a way to review, reflect, and encourage positive strategies to enhance future interactions. By engaging in consistent and ongoing reflection, educators and caregivers will enhance their understanding of interactions and ways to solve problems. This presentation will use a variety of instructional methods including lecture, modeling, video analysis, and group discussions.
(B-3)
230
G - Intensive Interventions for Addressing Challenging Behavior in Early Childhood Classrooms – Part 1
Lydia Moore, Oakland Schools
This session is based on the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) Training Modules for Promoting Social and Emotional Competence and Addressing Challenging Behavior. We will focus on identifying and describing challenging behaviors; analyzing reasons why behaviors are occurring; and developing plans to address these behaviors.
(3-5)
117
H - Promoting Social and Emotional Competence in Early Childhood Classrooms – Part 1
Jennifer Champagne, Oakland Schools
We will discuss teaching strategies to support the success of all young children in early childhood classroom settings by including specific strategies to teach young children how to practice friendship skills, respond empathetically to others and manage intense emotions. This workshop is based on modules developed by the Center for Social Emotional Foundations for Early Learning and strategies will by aligned with the Michigan Early Childhood Standards of Quality.
(3-5)
115
Session 2: Friday - 1:15pm to 2:30pm
A - Creating Bright Beginnings- Strengthening Social and Emotional Skills, Reducing Challenging Behavior of Infants and Toddlers through Everyday Practice
Mary Mackrain, Michigan Department of Community Health
It is never too early to start…Risk happens in the lives of children and sometimes it can overwhelm a child’s capacity to cope, creating an upside down environment where children see the potential for tragedy and fear versus safety. The quality of everyday caregiving practices can help to ameliorate this reflection and begin to develop a sense of safety and predictability for all infants and toddlers. This session will provide an overview of typical and atypical social and emotional development, user-friendly tips and tools through case studies, videos and individual opportunities for reflection and dialogue for: 1) strengthening home and center-based caregiving environments and individual infant and toddler social and emotional well-being and 2) decreasing child behavior that is challenging to adults.
(B-3)
118
B - The Dance of Self-care
Janice Fialka, Early On Training and Technical Assistance
“I don’t have a lot of energy anymore. I’m running on empty.” Those are troubling words, but not uncommon for providers who experience numerous challenges in their work. This interactive workshop will provide an overview of emotional labor and its impact on our work. We will also learn and practice self-case strategies to use to restore energy and find a bit more balance in our work and lives. It is designed to be interactive, fun, and engaging.
(B-8)
215
C - LAUNCHed into Support for Social-Emotional Development
Vera Harrison, Saginaw CAN Council
Noel Kelty, Saginaw Intermediate School District
What is Project LAUNCH and how has it impacted one local community? Have the strategies of Project LAUNCH influenced systems and practices? This session will dive deep into Family Strengthening and Parent Skills Training through investigation of the Incredible Years curriculum. How are social-emotional skills strengthened through parenting education? A moderated discussion will include an overview of the parenting curriculum, success stories from a parent educator, and personal stories from a parent positively impacted by the Incredible Years parenting program.
(B-5)
321
D - Early Childhood Special Education Updates
Lisa Wasacz, Michigan Department of Education
Kelli Jolly, Clinton County RESA Office of Innovative Projects
This session is intended to keep preschool special education program administrators and coordinators well-informed of topics related to Part B Section 619 of IDEA. Updates feature guidance from the Michigan Department of Education, professional development, and opportunities for questions and answers. This session on Early Childhood Special Education Updates will focus on 3 federal indicators: B6 (Educational Environments), B7 (Preschool Special Education Outcomes), and B12 (Transition). Information and updates on all 3 indicators will be discussed.
(3-5)
213
E - Kindergarten Teachers Perceptions on Effective Inclusion of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Classroom
Vasylena M. Roy, Warren Consolidated Schools
Darlene Gromes, Oakland University
This lecture/facilitated discussion describes research findings on the evolution of inclusion and current teachers’ perception of its effectiveness. Benefits of inclusion for students with autism spectrum disorders will be discussed in context of social-emotional development. Teachers, providers, and administrators will take away strategies to address challenges in their practice.
(3-5)
232
F - Reflection and Parent Coaching to Support Parent/Child Interactions – Part 2
Debbie Lively, Saginaw Valley State University
Colleen D'Arcy, Saginaw Valley State University
The target audience for this presentation includes early childhood educators, particularly home visitors. This presentation is designed to provide an overview of parent coaching techniques, to develop competencies with video recorded interactions using an iPad, phone or other recording devices, and to facilitate reflection for enhancing parent child interactions. It is through reflection and self-discovery that caregivers will begin to develop ways to facilitate more positive interactions enhancing outcomes for their children. Using technology to capture caregiver/child interactions or educator/caregiver/child interactions provides a way to review, reflect, and encourage positive strategies to enhance future interactions. By engaging in consistent and ongoing reflection, educators and caregivers will enhance their understanding of interactions and ways to solve problems. This presentation will use a variety of instructional methods including lecture, modeling, video analysis, and group discussions.
(B-3)
230
G - Intensive Interventions for Addressing Challenging Behavior in Early Childhood Classrooms – Part 2
Lydia Moore, Oakland Schools
This session is based on the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) Training Modules for Promoting Social and Emotional Competence and Addressing Challenging Behavior. We will focus on identifying and describing challenging behaviors; analyzing reasons why behaviors are occurring; and developing plans to address these behaviors.
(3-5)
117
H - Promoting Social and Emotional Competence in Early Childhood Classrooms – Part 2
Jennifer Champagne, Oakland Schools
This session will discuss teaching strategies to support the success of all young children in early childhood classroom settings by including specific strategies to teach young children how to practice friendship skills, respond empathetically to others and manage intense emotions. This workshop is based on modules developed by the Center for Social Emotional Foundations for Early Learning and strategies will by aligned with the Michigan Early Childhood Standards of Quality.
(3-5)
115