January Online Courses Delivered by
Think Small
The courses below are Develop-approved and designed to support Minnesota-based early childhood educators. The clock hours for completed courses will be reflected on each educator’s individual Develop Learning Record. For support please contact pdsupport@thinksmall.org or call the PD Support Voicemail Line at 651-641-3549.
How Early Experiences Shape Brain Development
Thursday, January 19, 6:30pm – 8:30pm CST
Instructor: Nikki Darling-Kuria
KCF I: Child Development & Learning
CDA Content Area VIII: Principles of Child Development and Learning
Price: $10.00
Gain an understanding of how the brain develops from birth to five years and explore the impact early experiences have on young children’s development. Explore how to create positive learning environments that promote healthy brain development and strategies for building positive, culturally responsive relationships. Discover what factors can threaten healthy brain development and what protective factors can support young children and their families.
Is Everybody Ready for Kindergarten?
Tuesday, January 24, 6:30pm – 8:30pm CST
Instructor: Angela Passe
KCF II.A: Creating Positive Learning Experiences
CDA Content Area II: Steps to advance children’s physical and intellectual development
Price: $10.00
Analyze the concept of school readiness. Explore the importance of language and literacy in the readiness for kindergarten. Plan for how to prepare children and families for kindergarten. Presenter Angele Sancho Passe, is the author of the book for the course, Is Everybody Ready for Kindergarten? (Redleaf Press, 2010). This course includes live large group participation with a presentation from the instructor and individual research, reflection, and planning.
Understanding Toxic Stress
Thursday, January 26, 6:30pm – 8:30pm CST
Instructor: Kimberly Giertz
KCF II.C: Promoting Social and Emotional Development
CDA Content Area III: Positive ways to support children’ social and emotional development
Price: $10.00
Discuss the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) Study. Explore how toxic stress and early experiences impact development and assess strategies for supporting children and families through toxic stress experiences.
Outdoor Play: Creating Engaging Environments
Tuesday, January 31, 6:30pm – 8:30pm CST
Instructor: Kimberly Giertz
KCF II.B: Promoting Cognitive Development
CDA Content Area II: Steps to advance children’s physical and intellectual development
Price: $10.00
Reflect on the exciting opportunities for children’s exploration and learning that can only be found in the great outdoors! Explore important safety considerations and supervision needs that exist within the environment, including playground equipment and materials, as well as the variables and hazards unique to family childcare settings. Create a plan for safety and supervision while promoting children’s health and well-being in outdoor play spaces.
Building Foundation: Positive Communication with Children
Saturday, February 11, 8:30am to 10:30am
Instructor: Stacy Boysen
KCF II.C: Promoting Social & Emotional Development
2 hours, $10.00
Discover positive communication practices that result in healthier relationships between adults and children. Explore how positive and negative communication patterns impact children’s self-awareness and ability to communicate with others. Implement strategies that will assist children in building pro-social skills that will last a lifetime.
ADHD: Supporting the Child
Instructor: Kim Woehl
Monday, February 13, 6:30pm to 8:30pm
KCF II.C: Promoting Social & Emotional Development
2 hours, $10.00
Examine ADHD in this online course. Gain an understanding of the disability and exercise strategies that will turn challenges into successes for the child and the program.
Rethinking Roughhousing: Rough & Tumble & Big Body Play
Instructor: Kristen Wheeler-Highland
Thursday, February 23, 6:30pm to 8:30pm
KCF II.D: Promoting Physical Development
2 hours, $10.00
Roughhousing, rough and tumble play and big body play is often misunderstood. “Play – especially active physical play, like roughhousing – makes kids smart, emotionally intelligent, lovable and likable, ethical, physically fit, and joyful.” (DeBenedet & Cohen) Yet, out of fear for children’s safety, most adults either don’t allow or discourage rough and tumble or roughhousing play. Concerns about whether it is dangerous, is aggressive or causes aggression. Define what is meant by rough and tumble, roughhousing and big body play. Discuss fears and concerns. Rethink supporting rough and tumble, roughhousing, big body play within care settings.
