PreSchool workshops will be held at Marshall Middle School in Billerica
Session 1 8:30-10:00
PS1 Behavior Management with Children that Struggle Part II
We will discuss different strategies to try in the classroom for different teacher configurations as well as ideas for working with children with anxiety and sensory needs. We will discuss best practices for children who have other disabilities as well.
PS2 Implementing an Early Childhood Substantially Separate Classroom for Students with Multiple Disabilities
We will discuss how to structure and run this type of classroom while incorporating Mass Frameworks, Individual IEP Goals, Therapy Goals, Inclusion Opportunities and still have lots of fun. We will also talk about where to find resources, how to take data, and things you can make for your classroom.
PS3 Strengthening Families and the Five Protective Factors
The Strengthening Families approach was developed by The Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) after conducting research on early care and education programs across the country. Starting in 2001, the CSSP began documenting the role early education and care programs can have in the reduction of child abuse and neglect. As a result of this study, a new framework and approach to the prevention of abuse and neglect emerged. The researchers found a positive link between good early childhood education and care programs and the reduction of abuse and neglect. This training will include a history of the Strengthening Families Approach, risk and protective factors, strategies to support families, and the early childhood educator self-assessment.
PS4 Guidelines for Preschool and Kindergarten Learning Experiences: Linking Standards and Developmentally Appropriate Practices
This workshop will provide preschool educators with an opportunity to review drafts of the revised Guidelines for Preschool Learning Experiences (now titled Guidelines for Preschool and Kindergarten Learning Experiences). This session will be interactive and will include discussions of how the draft document can be used to inform curriculum, lesson planning, assessment of young children and engaging with families around the preschool standards.
10:15-11:45 Networking
Networking is connecting with like-role colleagues to share ideas and create connections. This session will provide time and topics to get to know colleagues in your subject areas. In these sessions, you will participate in rich conversations and fully understand how these topics relate to your everyday practices.
Session 3: 12:30-2:00
PS5 PRESCHOOL INCLUSION: How Including Students with Autism has Taught Us to Improve Preschool for All Children
The research on educating children with Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnoses, specifically in inclusive settings, has led to many creative classroom and whole school strategies that help all students in preschool. This presentation will look at the research, philosophical approaches, classroom and school wide strategies and how they align with and can be filtered through the Guidelines for Preschool Learning Experiences to create strong inclusive environments for all children
PS6 Integrating Phonics into Your Preschool Classroom
This workshop will explore what early phonics looks like in a preschool classroom. Even our youngest learners can have the experience to develop a basic knowledge of letters, sounds and words. The focus of the workshop will be on what early phonics should look like in the preschool classroom and activities to incorporate. Educators will leave the workshop with new ideas they can incorporate into preschool phonics lessons, ideas and strategies to use in their classroom, and materials they can take back to their school.
PS7 Guidelines for Preschool and Kindergarten Learning Experiences: Linking Standards and Developmentally Appropriate Practices
This workshop will provide preschool educators with an opportunity to review drafts of the revised Guidelines for Preschool Learning Experiences (now titled Guidelines for Preschool and Kindergarten Learning Experiences). This session will be interactive and will include discussions of how the draft document can be used to inform curriculum, lesson planning, assessment of young children and engaging with families around the preschool standards.