The environment a teacher creates, paired with her knowledge of the children in her care, can prevent many challenging behaviors in young children. Teachers who create positive social environments find that children more easily develop the social-emotional skills they need to succeed. This session focuses on modifications teachers can make in six key areas of the environment that will prevent and reduce conflict that leads to challenging behaviors.

FLIP IT® is a strategy anyone can use to address a challenging behavior. It is a simple, kind, strength-based, commonsense, and effective four step process embodied in the FLIP IT mnemonic: F - Feelings, L - Limits, I - Inquiries, and P - Prompts. FLIP IT transforms best practice into a strategy that is easy to remember, applicable in a variety of challenging situations and portable. FLIP IT may not be rocket science, but it is brain development, and an effective strategy all teachers should know how to use. Come learn how to FLIP your kids instead of flipping your lid!

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.

Learn about the importance of sensory play in early childhood. Every child has a preference around certain sensory experiences and textures. Offering a variety of sensory activities can ensure all students can enjoy sensory play! Sensory play can be more than just sand and water play. Please join us as we make sensory bins out of a variety of materials that your students will enjoy!

Planning science, art, math and technological activities for infants and toddlers can be daunting. In this training you will learn how to ease into STEAM activities for infants and toddlers. This training will give you some ideas for developmentally appropriate activities for these age groups. Lastly, you will apply what you have learned and create your own activity for an infant or toddler classroom.

Planning science, art, math and technological activities for preschoolers can be challenging. In this training you will learn how to ease into STEAM activities for children between the ages of 3-5. This training will give you some ideas for developmentally appropriate activities for these age groups. Lastly, you will apply what you have learned and create your own activity for a preschool classroom.

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.