Saturday, January 31, 2009

8:00 - 9:00 AM
Registration and Continental Breakfast
Exhibits

9 am - 10:15 am and 10:30 am - 11:45 am
Morning Keynote Presentation
Hugh Hanley, Circle of Songs, Arlington, MA
Keep Singing! Song in the Early Childhood Classroom
Musical play is part of our human heritage. We “folks” have been singing, playing, and working with music since we first came together in communities. Over the millennia, children have used musical play to learn about themselves and the world in which they live. It has played a very important part in the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of children in their earliest years. There are a number of reasons why we rarely see children engaged in interactive, musical play in our 21st Century American culture, much to their and our loss. This keynote presentation is a “pep talk” for teachers young, old, and in-between, who can help young children enjoy the many benefits of a “hands-on” musical experience in their early childhood classrooms. We’ll explore the many ways that music helps children develop. We’ll learn some simple, developmentally appropriate songs and music activities that teachers can use to put learning and FUN in their classroom singing. Finally, we’ll come away with the knowledge that the best music for young children is the music that they can participate in with other children and with the adults in their lives, song and musical play that we can all do, together.

10:15 - 10:30 AM
Break/Exhibits

9 am - 10:15 am and 10:30 am - 11:45 am
Morning Workshops

Be Active! Be Healthy!
Participants will be introduced to basic health concepts related to the prevention of childhood obesity. Experience hands-on activities, which can be incorporated into all areas of your classroom. Focuses on teachers working with 3-5 year olds.
Lisa Jordan, UGA Cooperative Extension, Savannah

Capture the Moment
“Watch me!” they want to say. Let’s explore ways to document learning throughout the day! In our class, you’ll design a plan to begin documenting observations that will work for your classroom and you’ll take home a Portfolio ready for action! The class will be great for those working directly with children ages birth to three and for directors that want to support their teachers on this new endeavor.
Esther Duggan, Independent Consultant, Statesboro

Child Sexual Abuse Prevention: Shifting the Responsibility from Children to Adults
Learn about a revolutionary sexual abuse prevention training program presented by the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy, the Stewards of Children, focused on educating all adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. Participants will also understand the philosophy and uniqueness of the Stewards of Children program as well as how it works to increase knowledge and attitudes and change behaviors to protect children.
Linda Parrish, Authorized Facilitator, GA Center for Child Advocacy, Sunshine House, Swainsboro

Ideal Lesson Planning
The purpose of this training is to engage administrators and teachers in developing appropriate lesson plans for infants and children up to age five.
Bisa Batten Lewis, Early Learning Consultant & Trainer, Ideal Consultants, Albany

Let’s Talk: Problem-Based Conferencing with Parents
This session will present techniques for conferencing with parents about issues in child development. Participants will learn how to solve problems and promote positive development. Special attention will be given to creating a positive environment for parent-teacher communication before problems arise and maintaining that environment when and after problems have arisen.
Trent W. Maurer, Assistant Professor of Child & Family Development, Department of Hospitality, Tourism and Family & Consumer Sciences, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro

“To Be Professional” or “Not To Be”
What would you do if you encountered a moral conflict that involved inappropriate conduct? Not sure of the answer? Come and let’s explore the “Code”. You will be motivated to continue your quest to be an early childhood professional. Everyone involved in childcare will benefit from this exploration. You will receive information and standards of professional and ethical behavior in early childhood care and education. Once early childcare personnel are seen, as professionals, their relationships with families will be more trustworthy and respectful.
Katrina Chance, Quality Improvement Coordinator, Early Start Child Care Resource and Referral, Savannah

Wow! What a Classroom! (repeats in the afternoon)
Get creative ideas for enriching and enhancing your learning environment. Watch classrooms come alive right before your eyes!
Shana Reid, Vice President, Childcare Network, Columbus

Presentation from School Age Organization – TBD

Presentation from Bright from the Start – TBD

11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
Lunch and Exhibits

1 pm - 2:15 pm and 2:45 pm - 4 pm
Afternoon Keynote Presentation
Joseph P. Kropp,
PH.D, P.C. Licensed Psychologist, Statesboro, GA
Presentation TBA

2:15 - 2:45 PM
Beverage Break and Exhibits

1 pm - 2:15 pm and 2:45 pm - 4 pm
Afternoon Workshops

Ages and Stages
Description TBA
Valeria Murray

Better Brains for Babies: Relationships Matter for Healthy Brain Development
The purpose of this presentation is to help participants understand their role in helping infants and toddlers build healthy attachments, in order to nurture early brain development. The presentation will cover basic brain anatomy and development, the concept of secure attachment, why consistency is a key to building strong attachments, and what happens in the brain when children grow up in inconsistent environments. Participants will take an active role in the presentation by discussing attachment case studies and by brainstorming ways to build healthy attachments. This presentation is suitable for all infant/toddler caregivers.
Lindsay Marshall, Trainer, Better Brains for Babies & Doctoral Student, University of Georgia, Athens

Blended Families: Where Do I Fit?
More and more families are considered blended. As a caregiver or an educator one must know what their role and how they fit into it when working with blended families. The role and how to establish this role is a key focus in this session.
Janet Scott, Lead Infant Teacher, Child Development Center, Department of Hospitality, Tourism, and Family & Consumer Sciences, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro

Can We Talk?
Everything you say, and don’t say, sends a message. Communication in a childcare setting is so important - between teachers, among staff, with parents, and your fellow directors. But what exactly are you saying and what is the other person hearing? In this session you will learn some key techniques on how to understand what others are trying to tell you, tips on how to best communicate with staff and parents, and how to use technology to help you.
Peter Doliber, StepOne Communications, Inc., Savannah

The Directors’ Round Table
The director’s round table is an opportunity for directors to bring actual issues they have to a discussion and group solving session. Directors are encouraged to bring one specific issue that they are having trouble with, and (confidential) documentation if possible. This may be an issue with licensing, parents, special needs children, budget, fundraising, personnel, hiring, fees, collection, etc. For those who bring a specific issue an opportunity will be provided to share, briefly, his or her issue and then see who else has a similar issue. Each of the specific issue areas will be discussed and the group will be asked for feedback. Smaller groups will be formed around issues these issues. Each person will come up with an action plan with the help of the other directors. At the close of the session each person will have an opportunity to share his or her action plan.
Facilitator: Peter Doliber, StepOne Communications, Inc., Savannah

Get Ready to Read
Calling all 4 year old teachers! Come join us to help your children Get Ready to Read! Come explore and discuss what pre-literacy skills children should master in order to be prepared to learn to read, receive and learn how to use a simple tool designed to determine which skills an individual child has mastered or needs more help with, and gain access to many activity ideas that can be done to help preschool children practice pre-literacy skills.
Jennifer Waters, Independent Consultant, Statesboro

I Was Just in the Other Room
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Mary B. Townsend, State Child Care Trainer/Consultant, Savannah

Transitioning to Kindergarten: A Toolkit for Early Childhood Educators
This workshop is a comprehensive resource for educators that includes tools and materials to help implement strategies to facilitate and enhance children’s transition to kindergarten. Whether you are a school administrator, pre-K teacher, child care provider or kindergarten teacher, you will find practical and easy-to-use tools, materials to pass along to parents, and resources and guides to steer you through the process.
Bobbie D. Lee, Owner, AGC Training Center, Augusta

Wow! What a Classroom!
Get creative ideas for enriching and enhancing your learning environment. Watch classrooms come alive right before your eyes!
Shana Reid, Vice President, Childcare Network, Columbus

4:00 PM
Evaluation and Dismissal