Through viewing and discussing DVDs, personal reflection, and large and small group discussions, participants explore their cultural expectations and biases and have an opportunity to learn about alternative perspectives and realities through the cultural lenses and experiences of others. This type of exploration is designed to help participants increase their capacity for becoming culturally aware and responsive to families with children in infant/toddler care. 

Registration:  https://pdregistry.arkansas.gov/

This session helps participants increase their awareness of their own cultural assumptions and of how these assumptions may affect their interactions with families from cultures different from their own. Activities are designed to allow participants to explore in depth their own cultural roots. Building on the second five keys of the DVD Essential Connections, this session then focuses on developing culturally responsive relationships with families. 

Registration:  https://pdregistry.arkansas.gov/

In this session, participants discuss scenarios that focus on learning to interact with families and handle culturally sensitive issues in responsive ways. Small groups analyze scenarios from the DVD Essential Connections and the print document Infant/Toddler Caregiving: A Guide to Culturally Responsive Care. In addition, there are opportunities for participants to engage in role-play activities to explore cultural issues that commonly occur in infant/toddler care.

Registration:  https://pdregistry.arkansas.gov/

This session emphasizes the underlying emotional issues of infant care and their impact on the relationships between parents and infant care teachers. The DVD Protective Urges is shown to present the major concepts this session addresses. Participants first explore the heightened emotions parents often feel when bringing their infants to an infant/toddler care program. In most cases, intense protective feelings or “protective urges” come naturally to parents. Session participants also examine the protective feelings and emotional responses that teachers experience when they care for infants.

Registration:  https://pdregistry.arkansas.gov/

The Pre-Service program supports early childhood programs with the employment process. Pre-Service provides a solid training on Minimum Licensing Regulations and behavior guidance.   This is not in lieu of the 8-hour online training provided by the state.  However, it supports the program by providing activities and open discussion.

Registration:  https://pdregistry.arkansas.gov/

In this session, participants explore how to facilitate language development and communication in infants and toddlers. Participants begin this exploration by reflecting on their own experiences with language learning. A major part of this session is organized around the DVD Early Messages: Facilitating Language Development and Communication, which presents ten strategies for facilitating early language development and communication. The session focuses on all ten strategies, along with discussion of training techniques that help infant care teachers learn how to use the strategies with children. Throughout the session, emphasis is placed on making children’s experiences with language positive and engaging in the context of nurturing relationships. 

Registration:  https://pdregistry.arkansas.gov/

When you recognize that a child’s challenging behavior is rooted in biological and environmental factors and not a desire to ruin your day, it becomes possible for you to figure out what the child needs to learn in order to succeed. This workshop will help you understand why a child behaves in a particular way and make it much easier to meet those needs and effectively manage inappropriate behavior using evidence-based prevention strategies.  This can be taken as a stand-alone course or paired with part 2 and 3 to extend learning opportunities.

Registration: https://ididntmeantoruinyourday.eventbrite.com

A central feature of this session is that participants view the DVD Discoveries of Infancy: Cognitive Development and Learning one segment at a time, with extended commentary by the presenter, followed by discussion. Each segment focuses on one of the “discoveries” first identified by Jean Piaget. In the DVD, each discovery is illustrated by scenes of infants actively engaged in learning, usually with the supportive, respectful presence of an infant care teacher. During part of the session, participants are invited to explore through active learning how to facilitate early learning and cognitive development.

Registration:  https://pdregistry.arkansas.gov/

This session provides participants with information and techniques they can use to help infant care teachers become more knowledgeable about including infants and toddlers with special needs in group care as well as more comfortable with the idea. Participants examine their own attitudes toward inclusion and disabilities through engaging reflective activities. They also learn how to adapt toys, materials, and environments so that children with disabilities can use them effectively.

Registration:  https://pdregistry.arkansas.gov/

This session outlines key aspects of early brain development and presents major findings from recent research. Emphasis is placed on findings that are most relevant to the care of infants and toddlers in groups. Topics addressed include: the effect of stress on early brain development; the importance of appropriate stimulation; the benefits of nurturing, responsive care in development; and the potential long-term consequences to the child of inappropriate, neglectful, or unresponsive care. 

Registration:  https://pdregistry.arkansas.gov/

The Pre-Service program supports early childhood programs with the employment process. Pre-Service provides a solid training on Minimum Licensing Regulations and behavior guidance.   This is not in lieu of the 8-hour online training provided by the state.  However, it supports the program by providing activities and open discussion.

Registration:  https://pdregistry.arkansas.gov/

Do you struggle to connect and understand some of the families you serve?  Would you like to increase your poverty competency skill – improving communication and relationship-building skills?  Would you like to develop best practices and tools for breaking poverty barriers, improving outcomes, and changing lives in your community?

This is a multi-day training that takes place on July 9, 16, 23, and 30 from 6 – 8:30 p.m.

Registration:  https://pdregistry.arkansas.gov/

Do you struggle to connect and understand some of the families you serve?  Would you like to increase your poverty competency skill – improving communication and relationship-building skills?  Would you like to develop best practices and tools for breaking poverty barriers, improving outcomes, and changing lives in your community?

This is a multi-day training that takes place on July 9, 16, 23, and 30 from 6 – 8:30 p.m.

Registration:  https://pdregistry.arkansas.gov/

Do you struggle to connect and understand some of the families you serve?  Would you like to increase your poverty competency skill – improving communication and relationship-building skills?  Would you like to develop best practices and tools for breaking poverty barriers, improving outcomes, and changing lives in your community?

This is a multi-day training that takes place on July 9, 16, 23, and 30 from 6 – 8:30 p.m.

Registration:  https://pdregistry.arkansas.gov/

Participants will learn to recognize the symptoms of burnout:

• Emotional and physical exhaustion

• Disillusionment

• Self-doubt and blame

You will learn to diagnose the problem, managing your time, space and people.

Registration:  https://pdregistry.arkansas.gov/

Do you struggle to connect and understand some of the families you serve?  Would you like to increase your poverty competency skill – improving communication and relationship-building skills?  Would you like to develop best practices and tools for breaking poverty barriers, improving outcomes, and changing lives in your community?

This is a multi-day training that takes place on July 9, 16, 23, and 30 from 6 – 8:30 p.m.

Registration:  https://pdregistry.arkansas.gov/

The Pre-Service program supports early childhood programs with the employment process. Pre-Service provides a solid training on Minimum Licensing Regulations and behavior guidance.   This is not in lieu of the 8-hour online training provided by the state.  However, it supports the program by providing activities and open discussion.