Workshop Topics for Parents and Guardians

" I Had It First!" Conflict Resolution Skills for Preschoolers
Make peace in your classroom. A review of normal socio-emotional development precedes a discussion of preventive techniques for peer squabbles, as well as invaluable techniques that take advantage of “teachable moments” to impart negotiation tips. Two-hour workshop.
 
Ages and Stages
Typical Development from Birth to Age Ten There is a normal course of development through which every child passes. Participants discuss the children in their care as the group follows the typical sequence of stages from the first through tenth year. Discussion includes difficulties at each stage, and the ideal caregiver’s role.
 
Baby Signs
Make communication easier between you and your little ones. Add a beginning vocabulary in American Sign Language to help your babies and toddlers let you know what they're thinking.
 
Baby Talk: Early Language Development
The workshop covers the normal milestones of language in children from birth through age 3, stressing how language is “caught” by providing a rich verbal environment, and not “taught” in carefully laid out lessons. Activities are exampled – conversation, books, nursery rhymes, and American Sign Language – which help infants and toddlers to communicate.
 
Balance of Power - Power Struggles
An examination of the dynamics of an adult-child relationship that typifies power struggles. Developmental stages and “difficult” temperament traits can contribute to the combustible mix. Participants learn helpful techniques to prevent and resolve power struggles.
 
Dinosaurs Divorce
When parents go through relationship issues, separation, and possibly divorce, there are direct effects on the children. Find out what to look for and how to support children's social/emotional needs during this time.
 
Drama Kings and Queens – Dramatic Play in the Lives of Young Children
What is the purpose of dramatic play? Making sense of and practicing social roles, imagination, emotional work, communication, cultural learning. The workshop provides suggestions for encouraging the development of a rich dramatic play environment.
 
Effective Discipline Techniques for Preschoolers
Caregivers and parents of children ages 2 – 5 are involved in guiding the formation of an internalized system of rules of behavior. By applying child-centered or “authoritative” guidance techniques, the adult can prevent many discipline problems and give children a foundation for future self-control. Two-hour workshop. Can be combined with "Why Do Children Misbehave?" as a three-hour workshop.
 
Fun With Found Materials
Teaching can be creative! Help your children find learning in the everyday items you already have - from pots and buttons to rocks and leaves. It's all there - curriculum subjects, social skills, motor skills, and the thrill of discovery.
 
Good for You Food Fun
Beginning with Nutrition Bingo, participants get a hands on approach to learning about the elements that make up the foods we eat. Recipes easy enough for young children to do will be followed and eaten! Discussion includes food attitudes and follow up activities (field trips, books, dramatizations). Add $2 per person for food.
 
Healthy Habits for Young Children
Set a lifelong pattern with your preschoolers of health-promoting habits for exercise and eating. Engage in several large motor games and activities to work up an appetite for some making and sampling nutritious snacks.
 
Let's Hear It For The Boys
Male-female differences include the structure of the brain. While equal opportunities for boys and girls may be an assumed right, child care professionals – of whom 98% are female – need to be mindful of biologically based differences. This workshop provides many hands-on examples of how to incorporate appropriate expectations boys for problem-solving, emotions, language, and behavior.
 
Little Kids at Hope
Early life experiences - those controlled by parents, professional caregivers, and other caring adults, set the stage for a child's future. Topics include the power of hopefulness and optimism, the essential role of the caregiver and other supportive adults, early brain development, and connecting childhood experiences to success in adulthood.
 
School-Age Development
Participants examine the stages of normal development from five through eleven, looking at the typical behaviors and motivations of each age. Common problems for the age period are discussed, including learning problems, divorce, and bullies. Share strategies for meeting physical, intellectual, emotional, and social needs in an after school program.
 
Temper, Temper - Tempering Tantrums
Participants will share their definitions and observations of tantrums, explore typical causes and circumstances of tantrums, and become aware of how adults’ reactions can be helpful or harmful. (Adult anger never helps!) Learn to choose appropriately among three possible responses: ignore, distract, or give in.
 
Temperament Differences: From Easy to Difficult
An overview of the nine traits of temperament according to behavioral science. The discussion further focuses on guidance techniques that are respectful of each “high” or “low” among the nine traits. And finally, the workshop considers the positive adult outcomes for traits that might have otherwise been labeled as “difficult” in childhood.
 
The Birds and the Bees as Young as Threes
Get comfortable with the correct names for body parts and functions. Find natural opportunities for children to use you as a resource for age-appropriate information about reproduction and elimination. Book list included.
 
The Skin You Live In
Address the simple but complex topic of skin color differences with hands on activities appropriate to use with children. The workshop handouts include a list of picture books on the topic.
 
Together Again: Group Times / Group Games
When children get together, activities can foster group cohesiveness and camaraderie. Shared activities, such as songs, games, and discussions, enhance the learning process for all.
 
Why Do Children Misbehave?
A framework for identifying causes of misbehavior based on unmet needs. For example, hungry children are not well behaved in the grocery store. Bored children cannot behave well in a waiting room. Caregivers can become better at anticipating needs, thereby preventing misbehaviors. Two-hour workshop.