Participants will learn specific skills for promoting language development with young children suspected to be on the autism spectrum, including child-directed narrated play, appreciating the importance of gesturing, imitation, modeling, face-to-face interactions, adjusting verbal and nonverbal language according to the children’s communication stage, use of positive affect and exaggerated facial responses, and understanding how to set up practices to prompt social communication.

Participants will learn why nutrition is so important to young children. The components of a child care setting that promotes healthy eating will be explained, and the role of the child care staff in helping shape healthy eating behaviors in children will be explored, as well as ideas staff can use in the classroom to help children promote healthy habits.

Participants will learn specific skills for promoting social interactions with young children suspected to be on the autism spectrum, including how to model, prompt, and coach children’s social skills, understanding the ABCs of behavior change, the importance of responding enthusiastically with praise and gestures, pausing to wait for a child’s response or signal, using intentional coaching communication, understanding how to set up drama pretend play and cooperative play activities, understanding how to use picture play scripts to promote joint play, and understanding how to set up structured play scenarios to help children practice social skills.

Participants will learn specific skills for promoting social interactions with young children suspected to be on the autism spectrum, including how to model, prompt, and coach children’s social skills, understanding the ABCs of behavior change, the importance of responding enthusiastically with praise and gestures, pausing to wait for a child’s response or signal, using intentional coaching communication, understanding how to set up drama pretend play and cooperative play activities, understanding how to use picture play scripts to promote joint play, and understanding how to set up structured play scenarios to help children practice social skills.

Participants will become certified in Red Cross approved basic adult, child, and infant CPR and First Aid. The primary purpose of this training is to help participants recognize and respond appropriately to cardiac, breathing, and first aid emergencies. The training is designed to teach participants the knowledge and skills needed to give immediate care to an injured or ill person and decide whether advanced medical care is needed.

Participants will receive an overview of sudden infant death syndrome, identify risk factors and describe ways to reduce the risk of SIDS in child care. The national standards for sleep safety will be presented and resources will be shared for both child care providers and parents. Topics include NC SIDS Laws, child care licensing rules for safe sleep, as well as how to develop a safe sleep policy. Key messages of this training include engaging in safe sleep practices and creating a safe sleep environment for infants and toddlers.