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Virtual Learning Communities
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FEBRUARY
Supportive Virtual Network
for
Early Childhood Educators!
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Join our Early Childhood Virtual Learning Communities (VLC), formerly Collaboratives!
These monthly sessions for Directors, Administrators, Teachers, Family Child Care Providers, Licensed Exempt Providers, and other Early Childhood Professionals run from September to June, covering various training topics. Stay updated by subscribing to our Monthly Minutes newsletter.
Engage with peers, share insights, and discover best practices. VLCs also count toward your annual training hours and strengthen community partnerships for essential resources.
Register for a VLC through the NHCIS Training Tile. For registration details, visit the NHCIS Log-In page on NH Connections.
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*Infant & Toddler VLC training counts toward PD hours for the Infant & Toddler Endorsement. | |
Infant & Toddler
Virtual Learning Communities
Date: Tuesday, February 4, 2025
Time: 6:00-7:30 PM
Location: Online Zoom Meeting
Facilitator: Lindsey Parisi, M.Ed. ECMPWT
WT
Topic: Nurturing Early Emotional Well-being
This month, Stephanie Therrien, Social Emotional Content Coordinator with CCAoNH, will be joining us to discuss infant-toddler mental health. This training delves into aspects of infant-toddler mental health, emphasizing its critical role in early childhood development. Participants will:
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Define infant-toddler mental health and understand its significance in shaping a child's future well-being.
- Identify indicators of healthy versus concerning social and emotional behaviors in young children.
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Implement effective strategies to support secure attachment and responsive caregiving, fostering a nurturing environment for optimal development.
We hope you will join us to learn more about how to support our youngest learners and foster their social-emotional well-being!
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Family Engagement & Communication
Virtual Learning Communities
Date: Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Time: 1:00-2:30 PM
Location: Online Zoom Meeting
Facilitators: Julie Choiniere, BS, ECPDST & Karen Abbott, BS, ECPDST
T
Topic: Understanding Homelessness and its Impact on Children and Families
This month, Courtney Porter, MSW, M.Ed School Social Worker, and McKinney-Vento Liaison/DCYF Point of Contact from SAU 6 in Claremont NH, will be joining us to share information and resources on the topic: Understanding Homelessness and its Impact on Children and Families. This is a powerful presentation with stories of NH families who are experiencing homelessness and what we can do to support them.
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Family Child Care
Virtual Learning Communities
Date: Thursday, February 13, 2025
Time: 6:00-7:30 PM
Location: Online Zoom Meeting
Facilitator: Connie Davis, BS, ECMPWT
Topic: Supporting Growth Through Screenings & Play-Based Learning
This month, we’re excited to bring you a dynamic lineup of topics focused on supporting early childhood development and enriching play-based learning experiences!
First, Sheri Goyette and Izabela Southworth from Northern HS and the Universal Screening Group for the Coos Coalition will share valuable insights into Universal Screening using family-friendly tools like the Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQs). Learn how developmental screenings can help identify milestones and guide families in making timely referrals to early intervention programs, local SAUs, and other support services—always with the family’s permission.
Annie Delaney, Co-Founder and CEO of Rayz Kidz, will also join us this month to introduce the innovative Rayz Kidz Play-Based Curriculum for Mixed Ages. This new curriculum brings the magic of discovery to mixed-age learning, designed for use in home settings and beyond. Say goodbye to tedious paperwork and hello to joyful, play-driven education! Annie will guide you through how Rayz Kidz helps unlock children's potential through meaningful, play-based interactions.
Don't miss this opportunity to explore tools and resources that empower both families and educators to nurture children's growth and learning!
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Preschool
Virtual Learning Communities
Date: Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Time: 6:00-7:30 PM
Location: Online Zoom Meeting
Facilitator: Julie Choiniere, BS, ECPDST
WT
Topic: Nature-Based Play
This month, Dee Dee Thurber, Program Manager at Child Care Aware of New Hampshire, will provide us with strategies to lengthen the time spent outside and explore all the possibilities of bringing Nature inside.
Playing outdoors and with "natural" objects from nature benefits children in many ways. Come and explore how nature plays an important role in developing capacities for creativity, problem-solving, and the development of awareness.
Nature-based play also has clear physical benefits for developing children including gross motor skill development, eye-hand coordination, and setting up the foundation for the love of movement and being outside. Being in the space of the outdoor world also assists children and adults in relieving stress, and anxiety and helps us all to step into presence.
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Directors Speak
Virtual Learning Communities
Date: Monday, February 24, 2025
Time: 9:30-10:30 AM
Location: Online Zoom Meeting
Facilitators: Dee Thurber, M.Ed., ECMPWT & Donna Lake, BS, ECPDST
Topic: Unlocking SELA — Free Resources and Tools for Providers
This month, we’re thrilled to welcome Jackie Cowell and Katie Brissette for an informative session on the State Early Learning Alliance (SELA). SELA is a shared services model designed to provide child care programs with significant cost savings, time efficiencies, and quality support.
During this session, Jackie and Katie will guide us through the wealth of resources available through the SELA web platform, including sample handbooks, newsletter templates, and vetted policies—tools that can save you time while enhancing your program’s operations.
With over 2,000 FREE resources at your fingertips, this session is a must for any provider looking to streamline their work and improve their program's quality. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how SELA can benefit you and your team!
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Social Emotional Topics
Virtual Learning Communities
Date: Monday, February 24, 2025
Time: 6:00-7:30 PM
Location: Online Zoom Meeting
Facilitator: Stephanie Therrien, M.Ed., ECMPWTPC
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Topic: Introduction to American Sign Language (ASL) with Christina Bertin
This month, Christina Bertin provides virtual training on American Sign Language and will speak about American Sign Language with young children. Introduction to American Sign Language is a basic sign language course for those interested in learning the art of this beautiful language.
She will give a brief history of ASL and cover these topics:
- The Alphabet
- Basic numbers
- 50–100 common ASL words
- Emergency medical signs
- SEL (Social Emotional Learning) signs (e.g., sad, mad, help)
- She will also address any additional signs participants would like that could support them or the families they serve.
Christina Bertin has known ASL for several years and enjoys sharing her skills with others who are also interested in learning. Christina has a M.S. in Organizational Management and Leadership and a Bachelor's degree in Human Services from Springfield College.
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