This session will focus on ways that our environment and interactions spark questions, kindle curiosity, and ignite ideas!

Join us to discover free curriculum resources designed especially for children ages 10-36 months - and their educators! This session will highlight interactions to support learning in the context of purposeful play, meaningful connections, and authentic firsthand experiences. 

Teamwork – for some of us, the word generates excitement, for some of us, dread. With time, support, and facilitation, youth workers can help young people have both strong teambuilding skills and a sense of trust and group identity. Participants in this workshop will learn and apply group norm-building and facilitation techniques. Time will be spent applying and scaffolding techniques to support young people in managing their communication styles and applying reframing conflict skills. 

By building knowledge of emotion coaching and developing skills that teach young people to identify and safely manage their emotional experiences, youth workers can deepen the meaning of their work and promote positive skill-building. In this interactive session, participants explore the ways our personal histories can influence our understanding and interpretation of emotions; identify best practices for facilitating effective emotion coaching; and practice skills that support young people to accurately name and navigate their emotions. Additionally, participants will plan next steps for incorporating these concepts into their work with young people.

Snowflakes, icicles, and clear, blue sky! Whatever the season, the world outside our door offers unique opportunities to support curious learners and strengthen mathematical thinking. In this short session, we'll activate our own curiosity about the natural world before considering a whole year's worth of nature experiences for children. This two-hour series combines video training, try-at-home activities, and reflective journaling. It's ideal for educators and administrators working with children ages 2 - 8.

The early education classroom can be an extra-busy place at times; therefore, we must always make room for new strategies that lessen the chaos! In this informative and reflective online training, you will learn about behavior guidance practices that yield more CALM for children and staff. You will see how increased adult COMPOSURE guides positive interactions. This calm and composed stance results in a more COLLECTED you…ready for joyful days spent in the classroom. A must for all early childhood educators seeking more peaceful productivity!

The process of changing from one activity to another can be one of the most challenging times in the early education classroom! In this engaging and interactive online training, you will gain an increased understanding of successful transitions. You will gather ideas and strategies. You will learn how to incorporate smooth, brief transitions and positive learning experiences into your everyday routine! *(Part of this training includes time allotted for creating transition activities for your own classroom, found in the Resources section of the training.) 

Throughout our lives, the mealtime experiences that we have influence our relationship with food. As child care providers, it is our responsibility to help children develop healthy eating habits for a healthier future. This session will help providers understand the nutritional content of foods they serve while exploring ways to help children develop healthy relationships with food in the classroom setting.

This self-paced session provides an overview of authentic, inquiry-guided learning strategies that can be used in any preschool classroom. It also provides access to our free Explorers Preschool Curriculum resources, designed especially for Arkansas children and educators.

The most important part of our job in caring for young children involves keeping them safe! This powerful online training explores what it really means to establish daily health routines that keep children safe. You will recognize healthy practices, review safety regulations and measures, and learn about ways to reduce environmental risks in your classroom. Knowing these things will ultimately give you confidence as you apply this critical knowledge in your everyday work with children. A must for all educators, new or seasoned!

The earliest years form the foundation for a child’s lifelong growth. Children are learning to trust, explore, and connect with the world around them. Sensitive caregivers recognize their role and provide positive learning experiences that foster growth and development! In this online course, you will look at your responsibilities and essential areas of care. You will consider and interpret infant and toddler behavior from their perspective to provide appropriate behavior guidance. Recommended as a refresher to seasoned educators or as an intro to those new to the infant/toddler age group.