Exploring the Outdoor World Through Our Senses

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April 27, 2020

Exploring the Outdoor World Through Our Senses

The outside world shapes children’s development through everyday, hands-on experiences. In this free online session, participants will explore ways to facilitate sensory experiences in outdoor play including natural materials in the outdoor environment, reusable loose parts, and classroom materials. Participants will discover the benefits of learning through the five senses and explore meaningful ways to encourage sensory learning with young children.

Course Information

    • Timeline: May 4 – 24, 2020
    • Trainer: Katie Gullone
    • CKC: K2.4C2
    • Keystone STARS Alignment: SQ. 3.4.9
    • CDA Subject Area: Planning a safe and healthy learning environment.
    • Three PQAS and Act 48 hours available.

Registration

To register for this course, please visit the event registration page. All registrations must be submitted by May 1, 2020 at 5 p.m. Limited spots are available.

More Information

For more information, contact Jasmine Davis at 412.567.3933 or jasmine@tryingtogether.org.

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From the Inside Out: The Power of Reflection and Self-Awareness

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From the Inside Out: The Power of Reflection and Self-Awareness

From the Inside Out: The Power of Reflection and Self-Awareness brings to participants the quest for professional contentment and success. Beginning with an inner quest to discover who we are–our passions, values, talents, personal resources, and even those foibles and annoying habits we might prefer not to acknowledge. Having a better understanding and reflection of our self-awareness is the first step toward achieving a better relationship with others.

 

This free online course is an invitation to self-discovery. The Power of Reflection and Self-Awareness will provide thought-provoking discussion forums and engaging activities, participants will have the opportunity to reflect on their personal and professional journeys as well as envision new possibilities for decades ahead.

Course Information

    • Timeline: May 18 – June 8, 2020
    • Trainer: Mimi Loughead
    • CKC: K6.9.C2
    • Keystone STARS Alignment: LM.3.4.3
    • CDA Subject Area: Maintaining a commitment to professionalism.
    • Three PQAS and Act 48 hours available.

Register for From the Inside Out: The Power of Reflection and Self-Awareness

To register for this course, please visit the event registration page. All registrations must be submitted by May 14, 2020 at 5 p.m. Limited spaces are available.

More Information

For more information, contact Jasmine Davis at 412.567.3933 or jasmine@tryingtogether.org.

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STEM Activities for Toddlers | Webinar

News

April 20, 2020

STEM Activities for Toddlers | Webinar

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:

    • 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

Examining Underlying Causes of Challenging Behaviors

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Examining Underlying Causes of Challenging Behaviors

Behind the Scenes: Examining Underlying Causes of Challenging Behaviors is a live, interactive webinar that examines developmentally appropriate behaviors, mistaken behaviors, and imitation. Emphasis will be on how adults and the environment contribute to behaviors.

About Challenging Behaviors

Two PQAS hours will be offered for Behind the Scenes: Examining Underlying Causes of Challenging Behaviors. 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 on Challenging Behaviors

Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:

    • describe factors that contribute to children’s behaviors;
    • briefly explain Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and the PBS Pyramid as they relate to children’s behaviors; and
    • analyze the extent to which adult behaviors and environmental factors facilitate children’s behaviors.

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, please click here.

*Information provided by the Pennsylvania Key

Leave It at the Door: Managing Personal Stress in the Classroom

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Leave It at the Door: Managing Personal Stress in the Classroom

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:

    •  identify common sources and symptoms of stress in adults,
    • summarize ways to reduce stress in and out of the workplace, and
    • 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

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The Importance of Supervision: Indoors & Out

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:

    • 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 | Webinar

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Observing Young Children | Webinar

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:

    • list reasons to keep written records of observations of children;
    • define ways to conduct observations that are objective and free of bias;
    • use anecdotal notes to record observations of children; and
    • 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

COVID-19: Resources for Early Learning Programs

News

April 16, 2020

COVID-19: Resources for Early Learning Programs

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

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

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.

Schedule Summer/Fall PD Today!

News

April 8, 2020

Schedule Summer/Fall PD Today!

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.

Attending to Risks for Abuse and Neglect During COVID-19 Pandemic

News

April 7, 2020

Attending to Risks for Abuse and Neglect During COVID-19 Pandemic

Families caring for young children during this time with little outside social support or respite can be at risk for an increase in harsh disciplinary practices, abuse, or neglect. If you are an early learning professional, join Zero to Three on April 29 for their webinar, “Attending to Risks of Abuse and Neglect During COVID-19 Pandemic Response: Early Childhood Educators.”

About

Recent protocols around social distancing and sheltering in place have created substantial changes in family lifestyles and professional practice. For some families, staying home together has had positive impacts on their quality of time together, strengthening relationships. For many families, this social isolation is also coupled with anxiety around health concerns and financial security.

Objectives

During this webinar, early childhood educators will learn the following:

    • how to assess and address risks and signs of abuse and neglect in an early childhood education setting while simultaneously adjusting protocols specific to COVID-19 in these settings;
    • how to maintain relationships through virtual contacts when programs are closed and assess risk through virtual interactions;
    • the importance of reflective practice for early childhood educators who are often facing many of their own individual and family challenges during this time; and
    • about resources specific to early childhood education.

Register

To register, visit the event webpage.