Presenters and Workshops

1  Routines Rule!

Linda Armas, Educational Trainer, and Consultant
Prepare Parents, LLC

The ROUTINES RULE! The framework has superpowers! It promotes positive behavior, stimulates responsibility, and enhances classroom & family harmony. Explore the tried-and-true process of creating effective routines for your professional and/or personal applications. Children with difficulties, disabilities, and disorders thrive as their automatized routines make way for more time, attention, and focus for unfamiliar and challenging tasks. Create and implement ROUTINES RULE! strategies in your role - help the children in your life to live and learn to their fullest. (2-year-olds to adults)

Friday Session 2 Memorial Student Center - Badger Room
Saturday Session 2 Memorial Student Center - Badger Room

HANDOUTS

2  How to Retain and Recruit Staff

Hope Ballentine, Assistant Vice President of Operations
Boys & Girls Club of Dane County

COVID has played a huge impact in the early education field. In a world where we are mandated to follow things such as ratios, we struggle to fulfill these requirements and mandates due to staff shortages. So what do we do? How do we retain staff? What can we do to promote our organization? Childcare is in high demand, so how can we fulfill that demand? Here we can talk about possible ideas such as collaborating with local organizations and institutes. We will talk about things we do that are working and not working to retain staff. We will look at our onboarding process and if it fits our needs and helps communicate our requirements and standards to new employees. (Adults)

Friday Session 3 Memorial Student Center - Northwoods Room
Saturday Session 3 Memorial Student Center - Northwoods Room

3  Mindful Equity in Early Childhood Education

Lindsay Barnhart, Program Director/Assistant Professor
University of Wisconsin-Stout

Being an equitable educator is important in supporting all students. This presentation will provide an opportunity to explore your awareness, discuss equitable education, and provide ideas to consider as a mindful equitable educator in your early childhood setting. (Adults)

Friday Session 2 - Heritage Hall 105

5  Supporting Diverse Needs in the Classroom

Ayuko Boomer, Early Childhood Specialist
University of Minnesota Child Development Lab School
Peter Locast, Early Childhood Specialist
University of Minnesota Child Development Lab School
Alyssa Wilt, Early Childhood Specialist
University of Minnesota Child Development Lab School

As educators, we encounter a diverse range of needs in our classrooms. From children with IEPs to those that need a bit of extra support during transitions, each child requires a unique approach to provide them with the best learning opportunities. We will share strategies and ideas on how to navigate the varying needs in your classroom and discuss how to individualize instruction in a manageable way. (Two-year-olds to Five-year-olds)

Saturday Session 2 Memorial Student Center - Oakwood Room

6  Breathing New Life into Circle Time

Jennie Costello, Owner, and Director, Little Angels Daycare
Founder and Creator of Little Hearts, Big Smarts Curriculum

Are you struggling to find activities to keep your little learners engaged during circle time? Are you overwhelmed trying to come up with new ideas that keep them learning and growing? Are you frustrated with your kids’ lack of attention and feel like doing away with circle time altogether? If so, please come and join me and I will help you to breathe new life into your circle time! Participants will come away from this class with a plan of action and with effective strategies to empower you to lead your children in fun, interactive, and successful circle times. Activities cover all content areas including literacy, math, science, art, nature, and music. (Two to Five-years-old)

Friday Session 2 Memorial Student Center - Ballroom C
Saturday Session 2 Memorial Student Center - Ballroom C

HANDOUTS
 

CANCELLED  7  Making Connections: Sugar and Spice vs. Puppy Dog Tails

Jeannie Erickson, Director
Project Babies

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice….Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails. Even the writers of the early nineteenth-century nursery rhyme knew there are differences in the brain and “make-up” of boys and girls. This workshop will look at early brain development basics, highlighting gender differences. Participants will explore such questions as Why do boys generally fidget more or prefer different colors than girls? Why do girls seem to pay attention more readily than boys? to name only a couple. Workshop participants will learn key brain gender differences, which will lead to a greater understanding of their students and their behaviors in the classroom. The workshop will also encourage participants to look at how they set up their classrooms and organize activities. (Infant to Four-year olds)

Friday Session 3 Memorial Student Center - Oakwood Room

CANCELLED  8  Brain Development Basics: Enhancing Early Literacy and Life-Long Lovers of Books

Jeannie Erickson, Director
Project Babies

The human brain is an amazing and complex organ that allows each of us to think, feel, and act. The brain systems that regulate these activities are largely shaped by experience. This workshop will highlight how those early experiences set the foundation for years to come - from relationships to a love of books. Participants will focus on the biology of brain development, including the critical and sensitive windows of development; practical applications for early literacy skills, and the ten things every child needs for healthy development which includes reading! (Infant to Four-year-olds)

Saturday Session 4 - Memorial Student Center - Badger Room

CANCELLED 9  Race and Culture: What does this have to do with me?

Jeannie Erickson, Director
Project Babies

This question is asked in small circles and the broader community frequently, especially when the community identifies itself as socially active and embracing diversity. This workshop is centered on the perspective that individuals come from a variety of backgrounds and have a variety of values, opinions, and valid perspectives. Participants will be asked to reflect on the impact of “color blindness.” They will also be asked to consider how their own biases impact how they view children’s cultural identities. Literacy is important to development but do we feel the racial overtones of children's literacy? and lastly, what do our classrooms / shared spaces say to our children/families about race and culture? This workshop will be reflective but also interactive. (Infant to Four-year-olds)

Friday Session 4 Memorial Student Center - Oakwood Room
Saturday Session 3 Memorial Student Center - Badger Room

10  Hands-on Learning and Everyday Adventures

Michelle Espelien, Preschool Director
Kids of Peace Preschool

Children need to be able to touch, smell, hear and experience every activity in their world. This class will show many activities for children ages 2-5 years old in all the areas of development in an early childhood classroom. Activities in art, math, science, and cooking, children's books, and social-emotional development will be presented and shared. New ideas are always welcome as we all learn so much from each other. (Two to Five-year-olds)

Saturday Session 2 Memorial Student Center - Walnut/Willow Room

HANDOUTS

11  Get Lost in Books - Activities and Fun for Everyday Books!

Michelle Espelien, Preschool Director
Kids of Peace Preschool

Come and see many fresh and fun ideas for many popular as well as new children's books. See activities presented for all the centers of the classroom including science, art, math, reading, and more. Ideas shown can work in any classroom and are specially created for children ages 3-5 years old. Be ready to share ideas with others as well! (Three to Five-year-olds)

Friday Session 2 Memorial Student Center - Walnut/Willow Room

HANDOUTS

12  UW-Stout's Child and Family Study Center Lab Tours

Infant/Toddler Education Lab Staff
Allison Feller, Director
Debbie Davis, Early Childhood Education Teacher
Kristen Korkowski, Early Childhood Education Teacher
Rebecca Lee, Early Childhood Education Teacher
Kara Olson, Early Childhood Education Teacher
Rachael Stuart, Early Childhood Education Teacher

Preschool Education Lab Staff
Allison Feller, Director
Maggie Keenan, 4K/Early Childhood Education Teacher
Brittney LeBarron, Early Childhood Education Teacher
Laura Pitt, Early Childhood Education Teacher
Marcia Wolf, Early Childhood Education Teacher

Tour the Infant/Toddler and Child and Family Study Centers (Preschool) labs at UW-Stout. There will be a short informational session and the rooms will be open so you can explore and take pictures. The head teachers will be available to answer any questions. (Infants to Four-year-olds)

Friday Session 3 Heritage Hall 165 and Child and Family Study Center, 811 6th Street East
Saturday Session 3 Heritage Hall 165 and Child and Family Study Center, 811 6th Street East

13  Director's Roundtable

Allison Feller, Director
UW-Stout Child and Family Study Center

This roundtable discussion is offered for childcare program directors to address their issues and concerns with other administrative leaders and experts in the field. We’ll propose challenging topics to focus discussion on key developments in the field, operational concerns, questions regarding regulations, and practical solutions. We will hold space to provide the opportunity to learn from and network with peers in the field. With this information, directors can positively impact their roles and the programs they serve. (Adults)

Friday Session 4 - Heritage Hall 176
Saturday Session 2 - Heritage Hall 176
 

14  Child Care Opportunities and Challenges

Seth Abrahamson, Business Child Care Advocate
Child Care Partnership

Tracy Fleck, Business Child Care Advocate
Child Care Partnership

This presentation is about the childcare crisis in Wisconsin. What is being done and what are the hurdles? How can you get involved and advocate for Wisconsin child care? (Adults)

Friday Session 2 - Memorial Student Center - Oakwood Room

15  (CANCELLED) Using Guided Play (without Co-Opting the Play) to Enhance Development

Dawnita Gallo, Assistant Professor
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Ann Sandeen, Teacher Candidate
Minnesota State University Moorhead

The presenters will illustrate how to use guided play in a mixed-age preschool classroom to enhance a child's growth and development, particularly social interaction skills. A characteristic of play is that it is child-led. Guided play allows for child-led play, while the teacher, through intentional statements and questions, can guide the child to use higher-level thinking skills without co-opting the play itself. (Three to Five-year-olds)

Friday Session 4 - Memorial Student Center - Northwoods Room
Saturday Session 4 - Memorial Student Center - Northwoods Room

16  Mindfulness in Early Education: The Kindness Curriculum

Beth Haines, Professor of Developmental Psychology
Lawrence University
Jan Marnocha, Mindfulness Coach
Community Early Learning Center

This breakout session will focus on how to incorporate mindfulness into early education through the use of the Kindness Curriculum and support for teachers’ personal mindfulness practices. The Curriculum has eight themes, each with 3 well-designed lessons that include activities, books, and music. The themes focus on topics such as caring, emotions, and gratitude. We will share the Curriculum and our experiences with teaching mindfulness in preschool and encourage participants to share their experiences. (Two-and-a-half to Five-year-olds)

(Handout)

Friday Session 4 Memorial Student Center - Maplewood/Cedarwood Room
Saturday Session 2 Memorial Student Center - Maplewood/Cedarwood Room

17  Finger Plays: Playing with Words

Colleen Hannafin, Presenter/Performer
North Side Music

Fingerplays and songs add an element of active play putting balance in your day! Singing or chanting finger plays reinforces the “The 3 R's” to Reading: Rhyme, Rhythm, Repetition - with patterns naturally built into song and chants and is a fun way to introduce new vocabulary. Fingerplays help teach math: number recognition, counting, addition & subtraction. Songs and chants using visual aids, help with all learning styles. Join in the finger-play fun! (Two and a half to Four-years-old)

Friday Session 2 - Memorial Student Center - Birch Room
Saturday Session - 2 Memorial Student Center - Birch Room

18  Literacy Strategies for Early and Emergent Readers

Emily Hines, Associate Professor of Reading
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Supriya Prakash, Senior Lead
Neev Teacher Training Institute, India

In this presentation, you will learn evidence-based literacy strategies to help with early and emergent reader development. Learn about early literacy strategies and approaches from India and the United States.
(Three-year-olds to Elementary)

Friday Session 2 - Heritage Hall 148

HANDOUTS

19  Integrating Literacy into STEAM

Maggie Keenan, Early Childhood Education Teacher
UW-Stout Child and Family Study Center

This session will explore ways to incorporate books and literacy skills into the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM). Easy hands-on activities you can do with young children will be shared. STEAM-oriented books will also be shared. (Three to Five-years-old)

Friday Session 2 - Heritage Hall 176

20  Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors: Integrating Authentic and Representative Educational Media into Early Learning Spaces

Jen Kobylecky, Manager of Education Engagement
PBS Wisconsin Education

In this workshop participants will learn about PBS KIDS resources with a focus on diverse representation and localized learning, alongside insights on how and why they might be used by educators. Participants will get a chance to explore the resources, design their own learning bundles, and develop strategies for integrating their learning into their practice. (2-year-olds to elementary)

Friday Session 3 - Heritage Hall 182
Saturday Session 3 - Memorial Student Center White Pine Room

21  Little Changes Can Create Big Results

Kristen Korkowski, Infant Teacher
UW-Stout Child and Family Study Center

Teaching young children is a big, and sometimes exhausting job. When managing a busy classroom, sometimes our words and actions can switch to autopilot. In this presentation, we will address the detrimental effect of some of the most used phrases in early childhood classrooms and find affirming alternatives that encourage positive behavior and self-esteem in children. We will also discuss ways to create mindful moments to help calm the chaos and refocus our intentions! (Infants to Four-year-olds)

Friday Session 2 Heritage Hall 153

22  Caregivers Role in Regulation

Meagan Langfield, Child, and Family Therapist
Children's Wisconsin

No one is born knowing how to regulate themselves. Emotional regulation is the process of noticing and responding to one’s feelings. In this session, we will explore the concept of co-regulation or mutual regulation, and the important roles caregivers play in developing a child’s ability to regulate. Looking at typical developmental stages, we will identify factors that affect regulation. We will learn ways to help children with emotional regulation and understand that we play a foundational role as caregivers. (Infants to Five year-olds)

Friday Session 4 Memorial Student Center Badger Room

(HANDOUTS)


 

23  Therapy Dogs, the Roles They Play

Meagan Langfield, Child, and Family Therapist
Children's Wisconsin

Animals are a powerful way to connect with children. In this session, you will learn the difference between service, therapy, and emotional-support dogs and the process to become a certified therapy dog. We will also explore how any dog can make an impact in the classroom without physically being present. The working therapy dog, Andy, will also be present for this session. (Three to Five-year-olds)

Friday Session 3 Memorial Student Center - Badger Room


(HANDOUTS)

24  I Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now

Jamie Lynch, Early Childhood Education Instructor
Northwood Technical College - Rice Lake
Kathy Preusse, Early Childhood Education Instructor 
Chippewa Valley Technical College - Eau Claire

In this session, lifelong teachers Jamie and Kathy will be sharing their thoughts, takeaways, revelations, and ‘ah-ha’ moments relating to the classroom environment, the importance of relationships, being a professional, providing appropriate curriculum, guiding children, all while living your joy! Join us as we share our magically beautiful, sometimes crazy, life-changing, long, and winding, ECE journey. After a combined 46 years of working in the ECE field, including 27 years at the UW Stout Lab School and 19 years teaching ECE at Northwood Technical College and Chippewa Valley Technical College, Jamie and Kathy have gathered some ideas about what really matters when working with young children. (Infants to Four-year-olds)

Friday Session 3 Heritage Hall 176

25  Centers with a Purpose

Tammy Maijala, Curriculum, and Staff Coordinator/Teacher
Kingdom Kids Preschool

Do you struggle with planning your center time with intention? In this session, we will focus on planning centers that incorporate all the interest areas (literacy, math, science, art, dramatic play, manipulatives, motor skills, and sensory). We will also explore ways to plan and organize centers that align with your curriculum/ theme, as well as meet the needs of the children. This will include center time ideas for planning, timing, and implementing a positive and productive center time for all kids. (2 to 5-year-olds) 

(HANDOUT)

Friday Session 3 Memorial Student Center - Birch Room
Saturday Session 3 Memorial Student Center - Birch Room
 

26  Phonemic Awareness - Why, When, and How!

Terry Kohlmeier, Asistant Professor 
University of Wisconsin-Stout

The importance of phonemic awareness instruction has been widely supported by research as a key predictor of reading success since the report from the National Reading Panel in 2000. Phonemic awareness is the ability to notice, think about, and work with the individual sounds in spoken words. It is important to begin phonemic awareness instruction in pre-K. In this session, learn how to explicitly teach phonemic awareness as well as how to include fun phonemic awareness games and activities into your daily routine. Leave this session with a booklet of phonemic awareness activities.
(Four-year-olds to Elementary)

Friday Session 3 - Heritage Hall 131

27  Start with the Heart: Expanding the Capacity to Learn

Gill McClean, Director of Professional Development
Pure Edge, Inc.

This session introduces PreK-12 educators to tools/practices, which is Pure Edge's introductory curriculum that invites learners to examine what they need to support their own well-being. The curriculum, designed with ease of delivery as a top priority, offers simple, research-based exercises that incorporate building the learner's ability to manage stress. Along with these exercises, the session explores the body’s stress response, understanding the role of the brain and the nervous system, neuroplasticity, brain anatomy, self-regulation, developing a growth mindset to support resiliency, reflecting on habits, and learning how personal well-being exists in relationship with the well-being of the communities to which one belongs. This session will model how each exercise can be woven into the course of a school day for in-class or virtual instruction. (Three to Five-years-old)

Friday Session 3 - Memorial Student Center Walnut/Willow Room
 

28  It Takes Attention to Create Positive Behavior

Deborah McNelis, Founder
Brain Insights

ATTENTION! ATTENTION! The brain learns from what we pay attention to. This thought-provoking experience looks at how the brain affects behavior. With the realizations the audience gains through this presentation, eye-opening ways to have a positive impact on behavior and self-perception will be learned and will positively influence a new mindset. It is a session that invites participants to be challenged to think differently and be open to new opportunities for having a positive influence. (Infants to Five-year-olds)

Saturday Session 3 - Memorial Student Center Walnut/Willow Room

 

29  (CANCELLED) Kinesthetic-Based Intervention in Elementary & Middle School

Tammy Myers, Founder, and CEO
Mrs. Myers' Education Service
Amanda Nason, VP of Student Success
Mrs. Myer's Education Service

In partnership with Evergreen Academy (Racine, WI), Mrs. Myers' Education Services will present the Myers' Intervention Method (a Multimodal Model of Intervention), the research and experience that informed the development of the method, and the student growth data resulting from Evergreen Academy's implementation of the MMES programming that is built on the Myers' Method. District Superintendents & Program Administrators will carry away actionable insights and techniques that will help them to navigate the challenges of lagging student performance and slowed standard score growth. Key Takeaways - Research-based methods for increasing growth in students included in RTI & MLSS, Kinesthetic-based techniques to improve student intervention engagement, and Targeted administrative insights to help superintendents and program administrators address intervention challenges in their specific school environments. (Four-year-olds to Middle School)

Friday Session 4 - Memorial Student Center Walnut/Willow Room
Saturday Session 4 - Memorial Student Center Walnut/Willow Room

30  Cultivating PICA Staff and Parent’s Pathways to Success

Chau Nguyen, Director of Education
PICA Head Start
Oth Oliver, Professional Development Coordinator
PICA Head Start

For decades, PICA’s unique ‘Grow Your Own’ concept for staff development has allowed PICA not only to hire and retain staff that is highly representative of the children and families we serve but also to become the number one trainer of teachers of color in the state of Minnesota. Even during the last few years while living in the pandemic, being the epicenter of social injustice and unrest in the community, PICA continued to demonstrate as a program of excellence. How did we do that? It was important for PICA to focus on health and wellness. We recognized a deep need among our staff and parents to be seen and be heard. Our approach has been three-fold. We have appealed to our community's mind, heart, and soul with skill-building workshops, wellness experiences, and expressions of gratitude. Come join in and learn more from each other. (Adults)

Friday Session 3 - Memorial Student Center - White Pine Room
Saturday Session 2 - Heritage Hall 105

33  From “SCREECH” To “More Please” - Fostering Communication Skills In Infants And Toddlers

Raelene Ostberg, Education Specialist
Thriving Together, LLC

Gain insight into how infants and toddlers develop the critical language skills needed to avoid screaming, throwing food, and other negative behaviors. Learn typical developmental expectations for expressive and receptive language in the first two years and explore the tremendous difference adults can make in this advancement. Collect effective techniques to promote useful infant and toddler verbal and nonverbal language skills that will help toddlers turn those ear-shattering screams into useful phrases and gestures. (Infants to Three-year-olds)

Friday Session 4 - Memorial Student Center Ballroom C
 

34  Promoting Self-Control in Young Children

Raelene Ostberg, Education Specialist
Thriving Together, LLC

Gain insight into the development of the higher-level thinking skills needed for impulse control and self-regulation in young children. Explore several strategies that foster these “Executive Functions” and help children develop the self-control needed to reduce negative behaviors, increase positive behaviors, and succeed in your care, in school, and in life. (Infants to Elementary)

Saturday Session 4 - Memorial Student Center Ballroom C

35  Decrease Stress, Enhance Joy, and Increase Your Success, Today!

Raelene Ostberg, Education Specialist
Thriving Together, LLC

Learn how to train your brain to stress less and enjoy more, no matter what your current situation. Explore your individual stressors based on your unique temperament. Identify what the latest neuroscience research has discovered about how stress impacts your brain, thinking, and responses to stressful situations. Discover practical methods to reduce stress, foster joy, improve relationships, and increase success, both personally and professionally. (Adults)

Friday Session 3 - Memorial Student Center Ballroom C
Saturday Session 3 - Memorial Student Center Ballroom C

36  Love and Logic 101: Taking the Stress out of Teaching and Parenting

Chris Peterson, Owner
The Parenting Professor

Who should be tired at the end of the day? The kids! How can we alter our classrooms in a way that limits the stress for educators? Let’s start with the basics. Love allows children to grow through their mistakes. Logic allows children to live with the consequences of their choices. Love and Logic is a way of working with children that put teachers back in control, teaches children to be responsible, and prepares young people to live in the real world, with its many choices and consequences. We will take teachers through an interactive high-energy thrill ride teaching about the techniques and importance of being an empathetic and effective teacher. (Infants to Middle School)

Friday Session 3 - Memorial Student Center Maplewood/Cedarwood Room

HANDOUTS

37  Taking the Stress out of Parent Conferences...even the contentious ones

Chris Peterson, Owner
The Parenting Professor

Have you ever dreaded a phone call or conference because you just weren’t sure how it would turn out? Today, we’ll build the skills and framework to handle the toughest of situations without breaking a sweat and building better relationships at the same time. Explore some ideas and principles that can limit stressful interactions with parents. Develop an understanding of why a parent might be upset. Discover a 5-step generic plan that you can utilize when upset parents do not give you time to plan. Examine more ideas about how to take good care of yourself. (Adults)

Saturday Session 4 - Memorial Student Center Maplewood/Cedarwood Room

HANDOUTS

38  Supporting Kids with Challenging Pasts (trauma centered)

Chris Peterson, Owner
The Parenting Professor

Let’s explore the monumental task of working with kids who have challenging pasts. We’ll balance theory, research, and strategies to up the odds that we handle the toughest of situations without breaking a sweat. You will learn powerful insights into How trauma affects the brain. Why do the intense and extremely upsetting behaviors seen in some kids represent attempts to self-protect and survive? The science behind healthy attachment relationships. How to apply Love and Logic strategies so that adults can take good care of themselves while addressing root causes in order to teach their content. (1-year-olds to Secondary School)

Friday Session 2 - Memorial Student Center Maplewood/Cedarwood Room
Saturday Session 3 - Memorial Student Center Maplewood/Cedarwood Room

HANDOUTS

 

39  Intentional Teaching, Meeting Standards Through Play

Laura Pitt, Early Childhood Education Teacher
UW-Stout Child and Family Study Center
Brittney LeBarron, Early Childhood Education Teacher
UW-Stout Child and Family Study Center

Come learn how to meet Wisconsin standards through play, using materials you likely have in your classroom. We will talk about how children explore materials while using their creativity, and imagination, and developing their language skills. Bring your ideas to share with the group. (Three to four years old)

Friday Session 2 - Heritage Hall 208



 

40  Magnificent Magnets

Terrie Schmoldt, Teacher, and Presenter
Oregon School District

Do you like to learn through exploration and experimentation? So do your kids! Explore with magnets and discover ways to integrate hands-on science with reading and journaling. Optimize your teaching with shared reading, guided exploration, and individualized journaling. (Four-year-olds to Elementary)

Saturday Session 4 - Memorial Student Center Oakwood Room

41  Celebrate Children's Literature Through Painting

Terrie Schmoldt, Techer and Presenter
Oregon School District

Pair painting with children’s books through author studies featuring favorite children’s authors including Tommie de Paola, Lois Ehlert, and Leo Lionni. Read books by favorite children's authors and paint a different way as we celebrate each author. (Four-year-olds to Elementary)

Saturday Session 3 - Memorial Student Center Oakwood Room

42  Learning to Use Puppets - a Make-and-Take Class

Shelley Silkey, Owner
Silkey Pets

This is a make-and-take class using easily found household items. I provide hands-on instructions on how to make simple puppets with your kids. Using finger plays, songs, and books, we will bring them to life. Exploring colors, numbers, the alphabet, math, and science are more engaging for children using puppets.
(Two to Five years old)

Friday Session 2 - Memorial Student Center White Pine
Saturday Session 2 - Memorial Student Center White Pine
 

43  Interactive Digital Lessons for Toddlers

Rachel Stuart, Early Childhood Education Teacher
UW-Stout Child & Family Study Center
Becky Lee, Early Childhood Education Teacher
UW-Stout Child & Family Study Center

Looking for ways to make your circle times a bit more engaging? Look no further! Even though technology often catches a bad rap, it isn't bad, if used appropriately. Come learn how to create educational and interactive lessons for young children that utilize technology while remaining child-paced and developmentally appropriate.
(One to Three-years-old)

Friday Session 2 - 111 Library Learning Center 

44  Creating a Multicultural and Multilingual Milieu

Deborah Wheeler, Assistant Professor
St. Cloud State University

Preparing for an equitable and inclusive early childhood classroom includes being equipped with the knowledge and skills that are essential to teaching multicultural and multilingual students. This also encompasses reading and incorporating multicultural literature in the classroom. Learn how to create a multicultural and multilingual milieu with effective strategies and methods. (Two years old to elementary)

Friday Session 4 - Memorial Student Center White Pine Room

HANDOUTS

 

45  What do they Hear?

Marcia Wolf, Early Childhood Education Teacher
UW-Stout Child and Family Study Center

Marcia will share some of her favorite stories, story hooks, and activities from the 13 different themes that are used in the 4K preschool classroom at UW Stout’s Child & Family Study Center. (Four to Five-year-olds)

Friday Session 2 - Heritage Hall 182
Saturday Session 2 - Heritage Hall 182

HANDOUTS

46  The Brain Architecture Game

Nora Ziburski, Early Childhood Education Teacher
Northwoods Technical College - Superior
Tracy Jacobson, Early Childhood Education Teacher
Northwoods Technical College - New Richmond
Amy Pennington, Early Childhood Education Teacher
Northwoods Technical College - New Richmond

The Brain Architecture Game is a tabletop game experience that builds an understanding of the powerful role of experiences on early brain development – what promotes it, what derails it, and with what consequences for society. Since 2009, thousands of people in groups around the world have played the Brain Architecture Game, gaining a memorable, compelling perspective on the lifelong impact of early childhood experiences. (Infant to Elementary)

Friday Session 2 - Memorial Student Center Northwoods Room

47  Music to the Max!

Angela Naeve, Music Teacher/Songwriter
Music Ministry

Great action songs as powerful teaching tools plus memorization of scripture made quick and easy with Bible Bops. Ideas and songs to use right away with students! Also included will be organizational tips, discipline ideas, and motivational phrases to get children to do their best while singing. Warning: be prepared to sing, move and have fun! (Infants to Adults)

Friday Session 3 - Heritage Hall Room 103
Saturday Session - 2 Heritage Hall Room 103

HANDOUTS

48 Breathe, Stretch, and Restore

Tina Tharp, Community Engagement Specialist
Mayo Clinic Health System

This session will demonstrate how effective breathing techniques, gentle seated and standing yoga postures, and guided meditation can help people calm their minds and focus their thoughts.  Participants will also leave with ideas and activities to incorporate yoga into their early childhood classroom. (Adults)  

Saturday Session 4 - Memorial Student Center Northwoods Room