Are you looking to better understand and embrace anti-bias and anti-racist teaching approaches in your early learning classroom? Join Iheoma U. Iruka, Stephanie M. Curenton, and Kerry-Ann Escayg on April 28 for their webinar “Don’t Look Away: Embracing Anti-Bias Classrooms.”
About
In this webinar, the lead authors of “Don’t Look Away: Embracing Anti-Bias Classrooms” call all early education professionals to lean in as “sheroes” and “heroes” in the lives of children. The goal of this webinar is to ensure that participants understand and embrace anti-bias and anti-racist teaching approaches by creating affirming culturally-rich classroom environments that protect children from psychological trauma and heals them from the inside out.
Participants will learn how institutional racism is visited in the early childhood space and the roles of implicit bias, microaggression, and white privilege in undermining the excellence and learning of minoritized Black and brown children and for those who teach them. Participants will also learn about several tools and strategies.
This webinar will be of interest to pre-k through elementary teachers, school and district leaders, coaches, trainers, and child care providers, owners, and administrators. Time for questions will be provided.
Registration
To register and learn more, visit the event webpage.
STEM Activities for Toddlers is a live, interactive webinar that explores ways to incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) concepts into the toddler classroom. The course will discuss hands-on activities, including time outside to learn ways to weave in environmental science.
About the STEM Webinar
Two PQAS hours will be offered. Participants are expected to fully participate with their digital device microphones and cameras on. This is not a log-in and leave event. Arriving 15 minutes late may result in no credit for the session. Please note, no refunds will be provided for cancellation or no show.
Learning Objectives of The STEM Webinar
Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:
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- identify the elements of STEM;
- explain why STEM is important in the toddler classroom; and
- implement activities that incorporate multiple elements of STEM.
Available Date
To access this course, use the link below or enter the event ID on the Pennsylvania PD Registry website.
More Information
For questions, please contact Karen Rucker at 717.314.8368 or krucker@respectingchildren.com. For more events like this, click here.
*Information provided by the Pennsylvania Key
Leave It at the Door: Managing Personal Stress in the Classroom is a live, interactive webinar that explores causes of stress and ways to manage that stress in an effort to move towards a healthy, balanced lifestyle in the classroom and at home.
About
Two PQAS hours will be offered. Participants are expected to fully participate with their digital device microphones and cameras on. This is not a log-in and leave event. Arriving 15 minutes late may result in no credit for the session. Please note, no refunds will be provided for cancellation or no show.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:
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- identify common sources and symptoms of stress in adults,
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- summarize ways to reduce stress in and out of the workplace, and
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- implement stress management techniques to address personal stressors.
Available Dates
To access this course, use the links below or enter the event ID on the Pennsylvania PD Registry website.
More Information
For questions, please contact Karen Rucker at 717.314.8368 or krucker@respectingchildren.com.
*Information provided by the Pennsylvania Key
The Importance of Supervision: Indoors & Out is a live, interactive webinar that explores the important role that supervision plays in early childhood and discusses the consequences of inadequate supervision. This course will also explore legal responsibilities, strategies, and the role of a supervision policy.
About
Two PQAS hours will be offered. Participants are expected to fully participate with their digital device microphones and cameras on. This is not a log-in and leave event. Arriving 15 minutes late may result in no credit for the session. Please note, no refunds will be provided for cancellation or no show.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:
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- explain expectations by DPW, STARS, and the community,
- identify the consequences of inadequate supervision, and
- implement improved strategies to account for each child and ensure their safety.
Available Date
To access this course, use the link below or enter the event ID on the Pennsylvania PD Registry website.
More Information
For questions, please contact Karen Rucker at 717.314.8368 or krucker@respectingchildren.com. For more events and courses like this, please click here.
*Information provided by the Pennsylvania Key
Observing Young Children is a live, interactive webinar that explores the role of observation in early childhood and discusses how to use gained information to inform program decisions and assessments of children. Video clips will be utilized to practice observation skills.
About
Two PQAS hours will be offered. Participants are expected to fully participate with their digital device microphones and cameras on. This is not a log-in and leave event. Arriving 15 minutes late may result in no credit for the session. Please note, no refunds will be provided for cancellation or no show.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:
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- list reasons to keep written records of observations of children;
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- define ways to conduct observations that are objective and free of bias;
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- use anecdotal notes to record observations of children; and
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- apply gained information to program planning and child assessment.
Available Dates
To access this course, use the links below or enter the event ID on the Pennsylvania PD Registry website.
More Information
For questions, please contact Karen Rucker at 717.314.8368 or krucker@respectingchildren.com.
*Information provided by the Pennsylvania Key
If you work for or operate an early learning program in Pennsylvania, including public and private schools; child care centers; group child care homes; family child care homes; family, friend, and neighbor care, it’s important to remain calm, prepare, and take precautionary measures. By doing so, you will help to maintain the health and wellbeing of yourself, other staff, and the communities you serve. For up-to-date recommendations and COVID-19 Resources for Early Learning programs, please visit the ELRC Region 5 website.
Continue reading below for a brief overview of COVID-19; information about waivers and enrollment capacity; and a list of resources.
An Overview of COVID-19
COVID-19 is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a new coronavirus not previously seen in humans. Because the virus impacts the respiratory system, common symptoms of infection include fever, dry cough, tiredness, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing. However, WHO states that some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, and diarrhea. After being infected with COVID-19, individuals generally display mild symptoms that begin gradually, but some people who become infected may not develop any symptoms at all and may feel healthy.
To learn more about COVID-19 and the steps you can take to reduce your family’s risk of infection, read our recent news post. This post also includes information about what to do after infection, information on how it spreads, and links to several other organizations and entities that can provide more information.
National Sex Offender Registry Clearances
According to the Department of Human Services Office Child Development & Early Learning Bureau of Certification Services, no exceptions will be made for expired or late National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) clearances after regular child care operations resume. Once regular child care operations resume statewide, staff will not be permitted to return to early learning programs if any of their clearances are expired. For this reason, it is recommended that all staff who require new or renewed finger-print checks should do so as soon as possible at one of the following available facilities.
To learn more about NSOR changes in the last 12 months, please visit ELRC Region 5’s news post.
COVID-19 Resources for Early Learning Programs
Information about COVID-19
Guidance for Providers
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- Coronavirus Emergency Loans: Small Business Guide and Checklist (English) (Spanish), U.S. Chamber of Commerce
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Early Learning
Talking with Children
Prevention
After Infection
Impacts on Child Care, School, and Work
Fact Sheets
Informational Flyers
Mental Health
Receiving Support
Multilingual Resources
Curated Lists
Recorded Webinars
Contacts and Information
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- Pennsylvania Department of Health
www.health.pa.gov
1.877.72.432584 | 1.877.PA.HEALTH
- United Way
www.pa211sw.org
Dial 2.1.1 | Text Your Zip Code to 898-211 (Text Alerts)
- Optum (Free Emotional Support Helpline)
866.342.6892
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
suicidepreventionlifeline.org
1.800.273.8255 (English) | 1.888.628.9454 (Spanish) | 1.800.799.4889 (Deaf or Hard of Hearing)
More Information
For more information about COVID-19, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or World Health Organization (WHO) websites.
If you are a parent or caregiver who understands the importance of finding picture books that feature Black and Indigenous People and People of Color (BIPOC) – offering children, as Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop phrased it, “mirrors and windows” to the world – it can still be challenging to know how to choose a good book from among what’s increasingly available on the “diverse books” market.
Join EmbraceRace and the founders of Diverse BookFinder on April 28 for their webinar “Choosing ‘Good’ Picture Books Featuring Black and Indigenous People and People of Color” to get their practical advice about how you can move beyond simply avoiding stereotypical portrayals to find great picture books your child is likely to enjoy. Time for questions and book recommendations will be provided.
Registration
To register, visit the event webpage.
*Information provided by EmbraceRace
Families are invited to join a live informational webinar from the Bureau of Early Intervention Services and Family Supports about what families can expect during the closure of face-to-face Early Intervention services. There is no need to register.
A recording of the event will be available on the Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA) portal after the event for individuals who are unable to attend. Professionals may be asked to sign off if participant levels get close to capacity.
Available Sessions
The following sessions will be available:
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- For Families fo Children Receiving Infant/Toddler Early Intervention Services | 12 – 1 p.m.
Join from PC, Mac, iOS, or Android: https://paiu.zoom.us/j/904942246
Join by Phone: 312.626.6799, Meeting ID: 904 942 246
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- For Families of Children Receiving Preschool Early Intervention Services | 2 – 3 p.m.
Join from PC, Mac, iOS, or Android: https://paiu.zoom.us/j/380197977
Join by Phone: 312.626.6799, Meeting ID: 380 197 977
Are you thinking about summer and fall? Schedule Custom 2020 Professional Development dates for your early learning program today! The deadline to guarantee your preferred date is June 1, 2020. Space is limited!
About
Focusing on early childhood professionals working in home, center, and school-based settings, Trying Together delivers professional growth opportunities in-person, virtually, and online. Customized offerings can be created and targeted to individual or group goals, interests, or needs.
To submit a request for professional services, complete and submit Trying Together’s online request form. All requests must be received before June 1, 2020 to guarantee your preferred date.
More 2020 Professional Development Information
For questions or more information, contact Jasmine Davis at jasmine@tryingtogether.org or 412.567.3933. For government resources for early learning professionals, click here.
Are you interested in asking leading child development experts questions about learning and teaching from home during the COVID-19 pandemic? Join the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) on April 10 for their webinar, “At Home with the Child Experts: The Science of Learning and Teaching at Home During COVID-19.”
About
Are you wondering how to make sure your kids are staying on track with school work? If or when to reach out to your child’s teacher? Whether there are “fun” activities you can introduce to help your children learn?
This 30-minute informal conversation gives parents and caregivers a chance to ask leading child development experts direct questions about learning and teaching at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants will have the option of submitting questions in advance or posting them in real-time during the event.
Registration
To register, visit the event webpage.
