10th Annual Child Care Professional Institute

"Natural Beginnings"



Mr. Don Shelby
(former WCCO television anchor)
Keynote Presenter
"Is Nature Deficit Disorder Real?"

Register for the KEYNOTE only.
($12.00 through February 21.  $15.00 at the door.)

Saturday, February 25, 2012
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
Chisago City, Minnesota
Doors open at 7:00 AM; sessions begin at 8:00 AM.
Event concludes at 4:15 PM.

Though we strive to provide superlative education experiences for our participants, PLA-INC. makes no decisions concerning the approval of any session for licensing or grants reimbursement requirements.  We suggest you seek approval from your licensor or professional development coordinator prior to registering for any event.

Register here
(Click on "Presenters" above for instructor information.)
Info here
Download Registration Form  (pdf)

Register for the Car Passenger Restraint Systems Class ONLY.
Important Info for this class

Minnesota Child Care Professionals:
The Institute has been approved by MNCPD.
Breakfast, Networking, and Shopping:  7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Session 1:  8:00 AM – 9:30 AM

1A. Music for Non-Musicians   Mary Johansen:  Is your musical instrument the radio?  No problem!  Gather activities and ideas to easily incorporate music into your day, even if you do not know how to sing or play an instrument.  CC:  II; CDA:  2; CBTA:  3, 4, 5

1B. Infant and Child CPR Refresher   Jeff Gutzmer:  (Pre-requisite:  At least one CPR class in the last 5 years.)  This AHA course grants a two-year certification upon successful completion. Additional fee:  $4.00 for AHA certification card (payable to instructor).  Includes First Aid certification if you complete that course today.  CC:  VI; CDA:  1; CBTA:  1

 

1C. Taming Those Terrific Toddlers   Raelene Ostberg:  Fun and magical toddlers can quickly turn into testing, pushing, biting, poking, dumping, climbing, emotional youngsters that can frustrate even the calmest adults. Unlock the secret world of toddlers and explore discipline and communication strategies that really work.  Learn effective toddler techniques and then apply them to situations you deal with every day! CC:  IV; CDA:  3; CBTA:  7

 

1D. It Used to be a Paper Bag!   Stacie Forbes:  We'll make a book for children to fill with fall leaves, using a paper bag for the cover.    Learn how to "age" the paper bag to look like an old map, use symbols to create an outdoor treasure or neighborhood map, and construct different leaf stamps using cork, cardboard, and peel-and-stick foam to ink and press onto the book cover.  Your future books can be made in any size, stamps can be made into animal or other shapes, and your newfound skills can be applied to many topics.  Join us to see how.  Additional art projects created from naturally occurring and/or recycled or repurposed materials that children of various ages can make will be demonstrated.  CC:  II; CDA:  2; CBTA:  3, 4, 5   (Activity Fee:  $1.00 per person payable to instructor.)

 

1E. Overcoming Hurdles to Healthy Father Engagement  Joe Kelly:  Fathers, stepfathers and social fathers are a vast, underutilized, natural resource. Learn what research shows about the overt and subtle hurdles that inhibit healthy father involvement in families and family programming—including hurdles for men and hurdles for professionals who work with families. You will learn specific strategies to reduce and eliminate these hurdles.  CC:  V; CDA:  4; CBTA:  8

 

1F. Over the River and Through the Woods - Exploring the Outdoors with Infants and Toddlers   Kim Woehl:  Explore how to introduce infants and toddlers to the outdoor world through sensory exploration.  Students will explore a variety of fictitious outdoor scenes and discover what infants and toddlers could learn from each scene.  Discussion of how infants and toddlers learn will precede the group work.  CC:  I; CDA:  8; CBTA:  3, 4, 5

 

1G. Colloquium   Marian Hassan, Irela Landa Mojica, Jesus Ramirez, Bao M. Vang:  Bring your coffee!   Join this small group platform to discuss different parenting perspectives and gain some insights and understanding of various cultures.  Learn respectful ways to gain information and initiate discussions with those having a different heritage than yours.  CC:  V; CDA:  4; CBTA:  8, 9

 

1H. Emergency Planning for Your Child Care Program:  Best Practices for Personal and Family Preparedness.   Jodi Budde:  Natural disasters don’t happen every day but, when they hit, the repercussions can be severe.  Identify what emergency risks providers face, access resources for emergency planning, and learn strategies to begin or improve your abilities in keeping kids safe by knowing how to respond and recover from emergencies.  CC:  VI; CDA:  1; CBTA:  1

 

1I. Building Blocks to Child Care Success   Hollee Saville:  Learn tips and strategies for providers--from those new to child care to those celebrating 30 years in the profession--about creating a healthy and happy environment, and lesson planning, marketing, writing and enforcing policies, and the tidbits that experienced providers wish theyhad known from the beginning.  With these basic foundations, you'll be eager and ready to build up your childcare!  CC:  VIII; CDA:  5; CBTA:  9

 

1J. From Language to Literacy and Community Building   (In English; for educators and caregivers of toddlers and preschoolers) Kathleen Klumb:  Participants will learn how various approaches to including language and culture help to make families feel more welcome and more responsible for children’s education.  Working together, teachers, caregivers, and parents can build supportive and healthy communities.  CC:  V; CDA:  4; CBTA:  8

 

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM


1K.  Project WILD for Early Childhood Educators   Jan Welsh and Pam Beecham:  Project WILD is for you!  Early childhood is often our first encounter with nature education.  Everything is fascinating … noticing the texture of different kinds of leaves, chasing butterflies and fireflies, catching the first sunfish, and experiencing those big thunderstorms and blizzards!  We take that wonderful interest in nature and animals and use it to teach math, science, language arts, and environmental education.  Teachers and youth leaders love WILD because it doesn’t require fancy materials or loads of prep time to teach it.  CC:  II; CDA:  2; CBTA:  3, 4, 5 

 

Required additional purchase when you register for this session:  Minnesota Project WILD Early Childhood Edition - $10**

Growing Up WILD – optional purchase for $20 

Submit checks payable to MN DNR when you pick up your folder at the Institute registration table.

**Each program must purchase at least one (1) book, e.g., 1 per center or classroom/age level; 1 per child care home business.


 

Networking and Shopping:  9:30 AM – 10:00 AM


Session 2:  10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

 

2A. Exploring Science through Children’s Stories  Amy Blaubach:  Explore children’s books and develop inquiry science activities using everyday classroom objects. Uncover simple ways to promote scientific literacy through stories you already have in your preschool and early elementary classrooms.  You’ll leave with novel ideas to make story time educational and full of life. Promotes STEM education (science, math, and engineering) and literacy.  CC:  II; CDA:  2; CBTA:  3, 4, 5

 

2B. First Aid Refresher   Jeff Gutzmer:   (Pre-requisite:  At least one First Aid class in the last 5 years.)  This AHA course grants a two-year certification upon successful completion.  Additional fee required:  $4.00 for AHA certification card (payable to instructor).  Includes Infant and Child CPR certification if you complete that course today.  CC:  VI; CDA:  1; CBTA:  1

 

2C. Working with Challenging Behaviors in the Classroom   Raelene Ostberg:  Caring for young children is not easy.  No matter how skilled an adult is, one-year-olds may still bite, two-year-olds still have emotional breakdowns, three-year-olds continue to question everything, and four- and five-year-olds are still bossy!  What is a provider to do?  During this training, you will consider what is behind common behavior challenges, explore techniques to work with specific difficult behaviors, identify communication techniques that gain young children’s cooperation, and discover tips to prevent unwanted behaviors.  CC:  IV; CDA:  3; CBTA:  4, 5

 

2D. It Used to be a Paper Bag!   Stacie Forbes:  (Same as 1D)   (Activity Fee:  $1.00 per person payable to instructor.)

 

2E. Stori-gami (Literacy Fun with Storytelling and Paper Folding)   Marla Mastin:  Observe and experience this fun activity:  storytelling plus origami = Stori-gami.  Everyone will make two objects to take.  This instructional activity encourages enthusiasm to read to and to retell and share stories, promotes creativity by using made-up stories, and embraces mathematical concept learning in a fun, new way.  Talking comes naturally; everyone is a storyteller.  Add hands-on art and you have it all.  CC:  II; CDA:  2; CBTA:  3, 4, 5

 

2F. Getting Our Kids on Board:  Connecting Children to Early Childhood Screening   Shannon DuFresne:  You will learn what the assessment measures, when the screening is best administered, why the screening is important, and how you play a critical and supportive role in the process.  Learn how to have the conversation with parents when referring them to screening and how to have the difficult conversation with the parents of a child for whom you have a developmental and/or social and emotional concern.  CC:  III; CDA:  7; CBTA:  9 

 

2G. Colloquium   Marian Hassan, Irela Landa Mojica, Jesus Ramirez, Bao M. Vang:  (Same as 1G)

 

2H. Emergency Planning for Your Child Care Program:  Best Practices for Personal and Family Preparedness   Jodi Budde:  (Same as 1H)

 

2I. From Language to Literacy and Community Building   (In English; for elementary school immersion teachers)   Kathleen Klumb:  (Same as 1J)

 

 

Lunch, Networking, and Shopping:  11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

 

 


1:00 PM – 4:00 PM


4J. Child Passenger Restraint Systems   Chandra Kreyer:  Since January 1, 2006, licensed child care providers and programs transporting any child under the age of nine years must satisfactorily complete and document training on the proper use and installation of child restraint systems in motor vehicles.  This training must be three hours long and be renewed every five years.  Handouts for this session will be available only electronically and to registered participants only.  CC:  VI; CDA:  1; CBTA:  1 


KEYNOTE ADDRESS:  1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
"Natural Beginnings"

Mr. Don Shelby

      CC:  II; CDA:  2, 3; CBTA:  3, 4, 5

 

 

Networking:  2:30 PM – 2:45 PM 


Session 4:  2:45 PM – 4:15 PM


4A. Exploring Science through Children’s Stories   Amy Blaubach:  (Same as 2A)

 

4B. Sensory Wisdom   Dawn Lees:  Have you ever wondered how long babies mouth things or how do you offer infant and toddlers freedom of movement along with materials without some risks?  This session explores the sense value of everyday materials.  Play with materials and restore your sensory motor intelligence! CC:  II; CDA:  2; CBTA:  3, 4, 5

 

4C. Giving the Gifts of Self Esteem and Self Confidence   Raelene Ostberg:  Adults know self-esteem is important.  But what about self-confidence?  We want children to feel good about who they are.  However, it is also important children continue to learn and thrive even in the face of challenges.  During this seminar, you will discover the important elements of fostering healthy self-esteem and identify the role that adults play in building self-confidence and ensuring positive results.  Learn specific techniques to encourage children to feel responsible, capable, and competent. CC:  IV; CDA:  3; CBTA:  6

 

4D. From a Toddler’s Point of View   Mary Johansen:  Toddlers are a bundle of energy.  Preview several activities that they will love, some of their most favorite toys and equipment, and several “unmessy” art ideas that allow you to enjoy the day, too.  CC:  II; CDA:  2; CBTA:  3

 

4E. Stori-gami (Literacy Fun with Storytelling and Paper Folding)   Marla Mastin:  (Same as 3E) 

 

4F. A Journey with Grief   Sandy Masterson: Enter into an intimate conversation with one mother whose son paid the highest price while serving in the military.  Learn of her continuing journey through the grief process:  the resources she found, coping strategies, suggestions on what to say to those who grieve and what to avoid saying, thoughts on celebrating the special person and memories of him or her, and practical ideas for supporting those who grieve.  (This is not a political session.)  CC:  VIII; CDA:  6; CBTA:  8

 

4G. 365 Preschool Ideas   Lori Hameister:  Preview 365+ year-round theme-based developmentally appropriate ideas, activities, and projects to enhance the learning process in your child care setting.  We’ll also discuss a variety of tips and techniques to help to alleviate the every day challenges related to child care.  Don't forget to bring your camera!  CC:  II; CDA:  2; CBTA:  3, 4, 5

 

4H. Websites Made Simple   Hollee Saville:  In today’s technology-driven society, many families search for child care on the Internet.  A website brings your business to potential clients - an awesome opportunity to explain your features and benefits - and gives them a virtual tour.  Explore some simple and FREE options for anyone who knows how to navigate the Internet and type!  Feel free to bring a laptop or device so you can follow along on the Internet.  CC:  VII; CDA:  5; CBTA:  9

 

4I. From Language to Literacy and Community Building   (In Spanish; for educators and caregivers of toddlers and preschoolers)  Kathleen Klumb:  (Same as 1J)