Come play with loose parts! During this session participants will experience interacting with loose parts, observing others working with loose parts, and learn how to use the knowledge gained from those observations.

Through outdoor play, children have the opportunity to develop large/small motor skills, experience risk-taking, practice problem solving, and learn academic skills.  This training will help teachers understand the importance of outdoor play and provide ideas that can be implemented in their classroom to enhance the outdoor experience!

Through the lens of Black feminist thought and intersectionality, the purpose of this narrative inquiry study was to examine how Black women early childhood educators’ lived experiences informed their use of culturally relevant pedagogy in early childhood classrooms. This session explores the stories of the co-researchers.

This class is designed for participants licensed in the 746 (centers)  minimum standards requirements. We will discuss the updates, highly cited deficiencies and how to maintain compliance and refresh each participant in some basic sections in the standards.

This fun, hands-on ASL workshop provides participants with songs and activities to use with babies and toddlers. ASL can provide hearing children with a way to communicate, increase their vocabulary, and stimulate brain development. Even with various ages and abilities within their class, all children can benefit. No experience necessary!

Hard conversations with families may come without warning but with intention and care, they can also be prepared for, handled well and they can result in a supported and realistic relationship. Join this session to find ways to make hard conversations easier to deal with and more positive for all.

Are you tired of the same old read alouds? If so, come join me in this interactive session as we learn some tips and tricks to engage your students with read alouds!

Healthy eating in a child's early years can increase their cognitive development and ability to learn for years to come.  Audience will gain insight for incorporating good nutrition and learning activities.  Participants will leave with ideas for activities that combine good nutrition habits with learning skills across the curriculum.

Participants will explore basic nutrition concepts and the role of nutrients in child growth and development. Participants will learn about nutrition labels, ingredients lists and explore eating practices such as mindful eating and understanding portions.

Physical activity is vital for a child's development.   It promotes early brain development and learning in young children.   Early childhood education is becoming more academic and structured and at times restricts physical movement.  In this session participants will look at ways to integrate movement into lessons throughout the curriculum.

"Aren't they just playing?" Is this a phrase you've heard about your classroom before? If so, come join me in this session about the power of play for our early learners and the teacher's very important role in facilitating learning during this time!

The audience in this training will be person's interested in learning more about the usefulness of art and art projects in the classroom.  Always a fun part of the training is the make and take of different art projects that children can use in the classroom.

Have you ever thought about why we need to let kids play? Play is a child's occupation that lays the foundation for the child's success in learning. We will take a look at not only reasons why children need play but also ways to foster a child's development.

Discover ways to conduct experiments with common household objects to expand imaginations, inspire curiosity and develop critical thinking skills. Implementing STEM in your ECE program will enhance the development of future Scientists, Technologists, Engineers, and Mathematicians. Join me on a journey to teach kids to Learn, Love, and Lead in STEM!

CALLING ALL DIRECTORS!  Join a fantastic group of early childhood administrators in discussing the MANY challenges of running a successful child care program.  It's a tough job, but somebody has to do it!

Participants will examine their own self-awareness and life balance in order to assess how they are managing their personal and professional relationships. We will introduce mindfulness and emotional intelligence strategies that help participants stay healthy and productive. Participants will be prompted to develop healthy habits and accountability activities addressing — Mindfulness, Body Awareness, Community and Connection and Digital and Social Media Consciousness in order to build new habits that promote learning, connection, and a sense of community.

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) affects a rising number of children in Texas. 1:54 children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, as of 2020, according to the Center for Disease Control. It is imperative that Early Childhood Professionals learn to recognize the signs of ASD so that children can be evaluated and receive Early Childhood Intervention or special education services through their local school district as soon as possible. This training will give providers the tools to recognize ASD in young children, adapt the learning environment and/or materials to help children on the spectrum, and help children with ASD who have a difficult time with transitions.

Tom Wilbeck has been a professional trainer and Licensed Professional Counselor since 1997 and has reached thousands of people through his dynamic presentation style, counseling services and musical performances as Mr. Tom from Tom's Fun Band and The Old Common. Through the shaping forces of his life, Tom has learned that love is what changes lives and it's laughter that teaches the lessons that make us the people we were meant to be.  This philosophy is present in every training, counseling session, and performance Tom provides. Tom holds a Bachelor of Science and Master's of Art degree from Sam Houston State University in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis on Early Childhood Development and Play Therapy.  This education can be credited with setting his direction but it's Jesus Christ that leads his life. Tom is the founder of Tom’s Fun Band, a top-rated children’s group that mixes high energy music with education and world-class silliness!  It is in this role that Tom and band mate, Will Samson, created two education programs:  The Science of Sound and Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.  These programs have reached thousands of children and help reinforce Tom’s personal mission; to excite the imagination of children through music.  This mission has recently expanded with the help of John Jackson, Chris Wilbeck and Russell Bush.  Together, they formed The Old Common.  This group brings listeners back to a simpler time, playing music from the mid 1800s to the early 1900s using guitar, ukulele and several homemade instruments such as cigar box guitars and washtub bass.

There are times when we just don’t feel up to it. Life has a way of frustrating us with issues, circumstances, heartbreaks, and stress. Although these situations occur, we are required to leave everything at the door when we step foot into our workplace. This session addresses gossip, conversations, attitudes, appearance and a whole lot more to assist you with presenting yourself as a professional.

In a world that is constantly adding more layers of stress on our children, Dr. Gregory Williams will be presenting an in-depth look at the impact of the stress, the source of the anxiety, and the road map through the Perfect Storm of Stress and arrive at what every child is seeking: HOPE!

It feels good when someone has my back. It also feels good when someone cares enough to do “all the extras. ”In addition, when someone cares enough about me to be truthful about my actions, I like it!! I like having a TEAM PLAYER! Many professionals consider themselves “coworkers” but you deserve so much more than that. As a team player, you are set apart. You create meaning and value in your work space both to those you work with, but also in meeting the needs of the children you care for and teach. Discover how to unleash your potential to transition from “co-worker”to team player and embrace the valuable role you have at your facility. During this session, you will find out just how important your role is and participate in team building activities to help you interact and gain a greater awareness and appreciation of the educators you work with every day.