Sessions

Friday, Mar. 10 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Room: Pacific D | Capacity: 80

Audience: Teacher or Caregiver

Young children are already developing resilience to stress and problem solving, and their success depends on how the adults around them support this capacity. This presentation reinforces the importance of relationship led support to young children, with a focus on connecting and supporting social emotional development. Dr. Feder uses adult learning strategies such as micro videos and active problem solving to describe a developmental relationship-based program guided by reflective practice. This program comes from Northern Ireland, where Dr. Feder and his team developed, piloted, and tested the program in Sure Start programs for children and families impacted by intergenerational armed conflict. The program is now scaling up across Northern Ireland with plans to seed it globally through the International Network on Peace Building with Young Children. 

Presenter: Joshua D. Feder, MD (Positive Development)

Friday, Mar. 10 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Room: Pacific C | Capacity: 80

Audience: Teacher or Caregiver | Relevant Age Groups: TK/K, 1-3

This session, with samples in both English y Español, will provide participants with a model that truly accelerates literacy in relevant and timely ways. Through video samples and hands-on demonstrations, participants will understand how teachers can effectively plan and implement responsive literacy instruction for young learners. Participants will also learn about a statewide Learning Acceleration System grant offering free, high caliber professional learning opportunities for teacher leaders. Participants will enjoy exploring how to address literacy needs of English learners, whether teaching them in English o en Español, as well as students with special needs or other students needing reading improvement. Every participant will receive practical literacy assessments in English and Spanish, and samples of monitoring student literacy growth over time.

Presenters: Cynthia Craft and Jorge Cuevas Antillon (SDCOE)

Friday, Mar. 10 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Room: Pacific H & I | Capacity: 70

Audience: Teacher or Caregiver | Relevant Age Groups: PK, TK/K

La enseñanza es un trabajo gratificante; usted inspira a las próximas generaciones y tiene la oportunidad de influir en la vida de sus alumnos. Por otro lado, la docencia también es una carrera intensa y exigente. Desarrollar, planificar, implementar currículos, documentar el progreso, manejar diferentes temperamentos y comportamientos en el salón de clases y mantenerse al día con la comunicación con los padres son solo una parte de la larga lista de responsabilidades de los maestros. Lo invitamos a unirse a nosotros para descubrir los beneficios y los poderes curativos del cuidado de uno mismo, por qué es esencial para los educadores y cómo incorporarlo a su vida diaria y en el aula. El autocuidado no es “egoísta”. Se trata de cuidar nuestra salud física, mental y emocional. Se trata de valorarnos a nosotros mismos como individuos para que estemos preparados para sacar lo mejor de nosotros en cada aspecto de nuestras vidas. Nuestra presentación está diseñada para apoyarlo como individuo, pareja, padre, cuidador y maestro y explorar formas de incorporar el cuidado personal que se ajuste mejor a sus necesidades.

Presenters: Caroline Loretan and Angeles Flores (Palomar Health HDS)

Friday, Mar. 10 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Room: Pacific F & G | Capacity: 70

Audience: Teacher or Caregiver | Relevant Age Groups: I/T, PK, TK/K

The transition into the school system can be an overwhelming process for many families whose children are receiving early intervention services. Collaboration between agencies is necessary for a successful transition from early childhood for students with disabilities. In addition, effective communication can foster positive relationships between the child’s circle of support to close the opportunity gap and increase school achievement success. 

Through small group and whole group interactions teachers/caregivers will (1) Understand the transition process from Part C (IFSP) to Part B (IEP); (2) Increase their knowledge of the IEP process; (3) Learn tips on effective communication to foster positive relationships; (4) Learn skills to build effective interagency relationships that provide a smooth transition for students and families; and (5) Reflect on how they will apply their new knowledge to effectively support families.

Presenters: Jennifer Gorospe Tull and Heidi Lyon (South County SELPA), Donna Santini (HOPE Infant Program)

Friday, Mar. 10 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Room: Palm 7 | Capacity: 65

Audience: Leader/Administrator | Relevant Age Groups: PK, TK/K, 1-3

To understand P-3, we must understand that it is a system built of many unique pieces that all must work together in unison. In the state of California P-3 is an overarching umbrella that encompesses a complex Universal Preschool (UPK) system.  Within UPK there are multiple important programs and components to ensure that the child and family are supported and have access to a program that meets their needs.  Through this training we will unpack the pieces that make up UPK and how that system fits into the large overarching  P-3 system.

Presenters:  Dr. Erin Dare and Julia Bridi (SDCOE)

Friday, Mar. 10 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Room: Pacific E | Capacity: 80

Audience: Teacher or Caregiver

Children whose parents have mental health issues are at risk for developing social, emotional, and/or behavioral problems.  With the right support and resources, it is possible to be a good parent while managing a mental health problem and to support your children positively.   This session focuses on teachers' and caregivers' role in helping parents address their mental health struggles and learn ways to support a child’s healthy emotional development.  

Teachers and caregivers will:

• Learn how to speak to parents about their mental health and their children's mental health.
• Discover ways to connect parents to resources and support.
• Understand factors that increase the vulnerability of children whose parents have mental health issues, including poverty, marital difficulties, poor communication, substance abuse, & single-parent families.
• Recognize and respond to mental health concerns in children.
• Learn ways to teach children & parents healthy coping skills.

Presenter: Stephanie G. Rivera (Palomar Family Counseling Service, Inc.)

Friday, Mar. 10 | 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Room: Pacific H & I | Capacity: 70

Audience: Teacher or Caregiver | Relevant Age Groups: I/T, PK, TK/K

According to the CDC 1 in five children are obese in the United States. Children are eating processed meals, foods high in sugar, fat trans, and salt. Early care settings is one the best places to help children build a healthy living foundation. What stories can you tell children to foster healthy eating?  The focus of this workshop is to engage participants in a series of storytelling techniques designed to encourage children to eat healthier. The participants will explore a wide variety of literature along with the use of felts, puppets, props and other techniques that help engage children in movement. The workshop will encourage educators to use storytelling as a teaching tool to inspire children to eat healthy. Review factors associated with Obesity in USA. Goals: Explore a variety of literature along with the use of felts, puppets, props and other techniques that help educators foster healthy eating among children. Equip educators with teaching tools to promote nutritious foods.

Título: Cuentos que inspiran a los niños a comer saludable

De acuerdo a la CDC, aproximadamente 1 de cada 5 niños en los Estados Unidos tiene obesidad. Las causas principales de la obesidad son el consumo de alimentos procesados con altos niveles de azúcar, grasas trans y sal. Los programas de cuidado infantil son el lugar ideal para ayudar a los niños a formar una futura vida saludable. ¿Qué cuentos les puedes leer a los niños para mejorar su nutrición en tu programa? El enfoque de este taller es examinar técnicas de narración para fomentar una mejor alimentación. En este taller se explorará una variedad de libros, títeres y materiales de lectura para promover la alimentación sana en tu programa. El taller motivará a los participantes a contar cuentos como una herramienta educativa para inspirar a los niños a comer saludable. 

Presenters: Lenika Flores (YMCA), Michelle Galindo (mgalindoecetrainer@gmail.com)

Friday, Mar. 10 | 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Room: Pacific C | Capacity: 80

Audience: Leader/Administrator | Relevant Age Groups: I/T, PK

Independent studies from researchers at LENA and at Brown University have arrived at remarkably similar and stark findings: Babies born during the COVID-19 pandemic are vocalizing less and experiencing less interactive talk with adults than their pre-pandemic peers, suggesting they may be at greater risk of experiencing language delays. In this session, we’ll share more about this data, factors that may be contributing to these outcomes, and what we can do now to support young children and their families.

Presenter: Jodi Whiteman (LENA)

Friday, Mar. 10 | 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Room: Pacific D | Capacity: 80

Audience: Teacher or Caregiver | Relevant Age Groups: PK, TK/K, 1-3

When it comes to a child’s ability to learn, their mindset can be their most powerful asset. While teaching new material and concepts to children is always a challenge, that challenge becomes much greater if the child doesn’t believe in their ability to learn.  This is where the growth mindset theory comes in.    This workshop will share specific ways to build a growth mindset in kids that includes both quality Child Care and early education.

You’ll learn:

• How to encourage kids to engage in challenges
• The importance of using inspiring language that praises the process instead of the outcome
• How to treat mistakes as a learning opportunity
• Ways to develop ‘grit’ and a ‘can-do’ attitude through goal setting

A growth mindset helps kids develop the skills they need for future success. It gives them the ability to overcome obstacles and push through any challenge or fear. This workshop provides the steps you can take to nurture this life long skill in your kids.

Presenters: Tyler Garrett and Brittney Lemelle (TOOTRiS Child Care On-Demand)

Friday, Mar. 10 | 12:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Room: Pacific E | Capacity: 80

Audience: Teacher or Caregiver | Relevant Age Groups: PK, TK/K, 1-3

Poverty and the lack of a stable home environment that accompany homelessness may have a negative impact on brain development and impact learning for our children.  Nurturing and stable relationships with adult caregivers is critical to the development of young children and their educational success.  In this workshop participants will learn how to identify children, and their families, experiencing homelessness. We will review the McKinney-Vento Act, a federal legislation focused on removing barriers to an equitable education.  San Diego County Office of Education, Homeless Education Services collaborates with Local Education Agency’s, Charters, Early Education providers and community organizations to assist our family’s experiencing homelessness and will share their program supports.

Presenter: Christina Luna (SDCOE)

Friday, Mar. 10 | 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Room: Town & Country C | Capacity: 100

Audience: Teacher or Caregiver | Relevant Age Groups: TK/K, 1-3

Why play math? When we open up the opportunity to play in math to everyone, we give everyone the opportunity to see themselves as mathematicians and experience the beauty and joy in mathematics all around them. Mathematical play fosters the sense of identity as a doer of mathematics, as children create, reason and explore mathematics through shapes, numbers, and patterns. Explore math play and discover the potential, and necessity, of mathematical residue for all.

Presenter: Mark Alcorn (SDCOE)

Friday, Mar. 10 | 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Room: Palm 7 | Capacity: 65

Audience: Teacher or Caregiver, Leader/Administrator | Relevant Age Groups: PK, TK/K, 1-3

This session will focus on the role of the San Diego County Child Care and Development Local Planning Council to support all children, families, and providers/educators across the birth through third grade continuum. As an established advisory body to the Board of Supervisors and the San Diego County Superintendent of Schools, the Council is tasked with [1] assessing the early learning and expanded learning (AKA Child Care) needs of San Diego County and [2] developing recommendations on how to address those needs. This session will include a review of the Council's work in 2022, information about the Council’s work in 2023, an interactive discussion with early educators in attendance, and information about how to join the Council. We hope to see you there!

Presenters: Sarina Lynn (Educational Enrichment Systems, Inc.), Jennifer L Stewart

Friday, Mar. 10 | 2:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. | Room: Palm 7 | Capacity: 65

Audience: Leader/Administrator | Relevant Interest: Grant Writing

This exciting and interactive presentation provides opportunities for participants to learn new ways to identify grant funding opportunities and strengthen grant applications through the power of storytelling.

Participants will:

• Gain a basic understanding of grants, grant funding sources, and methods for finding grants
• Learn how crafting your program’s unique story is a powerful first step in preparing to complete a grant application  

Presenters: Michelle Houle and Gabriela B. Delgado (SDCOE)

Friday, Mar. 10 | 2:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. | Room: Town & Country C | Capacity: 100

Audience: Teacher or Caregiver | Relevant Age Group: PK, TK/K

Understanding the quantity of numerals is a key factor future in math success.  Learn ways to promote quantity understanding through engaging games and activities. This will be an active session, with ideas for both the classroom and home settings.

Presenter: Brenda Heil (Escondido USD)

Friday, Mar. 10 | 2:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. | Room: Town & Country D | Capacity: 100

Audience: Teacher or Caregiver | Relevant Age Group: PK, TK/K, 1-3

This session, with samples in both English y Español, will provide participants with a model that truly accelerates literacy in relevant and timely ways. Through video samples and hands-on demonstrations, participants will understand how teachers can effectively plan and implement responsive literacy instruction for young learners. Participants will also learn about a statewide Learning Acceleration System grant offering free, high caliber professional learning opportunities for teacher leaders. Participants will enjoy exploring how to address literacy needs of English learners, whether teaching them in English o en Español, as well as students with special needs or other students needing reading improvement. Every participant will receive practical literacy assessments in English and Spanish, and samples of monitoring student literacy growth over time.

Presenter: Mike Longoria, Ph.D. (Dr. Mike!)

Friday, Mar. 10 | 2:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. | Room: Pacific E | Capacity: 80

Audience: Teacher or Caregiver | Relevant Age Group: PK, TK/K

Teaching is a rewarding job; you inspire the next generations and have the chance to influence the lives of your students. On the other hand, teaching is also an intense and demanding career. Developing, planning, implementing curriculums, documenting progress, managing different temperaments and behaviors in the classroom, and keeping up with parent communication are only part of the long list of teachers’ responsibilities. We invite you to join us to discover the benefits and healing powers of caring for oneself, why it is essential for educators, and how to bring it into your daily life and into the classroom. Self-care is not “selfish.” It is about caring for our physical, mental, and emotional health. It is about valuing ourselves as an individual so that we are prepared to bring out the best of us in every single aspect of our lives. Our presentation is designed to support you as an individual, partner, parent, caregiver, and teacher and explore ways to incorporate self-care that would better fit your needs.

Presenters: Angeles Flores (Palomar Health HDS), Caroline Loretan (Palomar Health HDS)

Friday, Mar. 10 | 2:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. | Room: Pacific C | Capacity: 80

Audience: Teacher or Caregiver | Relevant Age Group: PK, TK/K, 1-3

This interactive presentation will bring you into the mindset of a dual language learner and explore ways to assist the dual language learner in your preschool through 3rd grade classroom.

Upon completion of this workshop students will be able to:

• Describe three needs of a dual language learner
• Explain three effective strategies for dual language learners in the classroom
• Implement one new strategy in the classroom the following week

Presenters: Bernadette Towns (Bakersfield College), Rebecca Roth (Taft College), Dr. Elaine Correa (Cal State University, Bakersfield)

Friday, Mar. 10 | 2:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. | Room: Pacific F & G | Capacity: 70

Audience: Teacher or Caregiver | Relevant Age Group: PK, TK/K

“It is in collectivities that we find reservoirs of hope and optimism.” - Angela Davis

This session is an invitation to join others in dreaming big about what child care and early education can and should look like across San Diego County.  Challenging policies and practices that keep historically excluded people disenfranchised, the Children First Collective is coalescing passionate voices across San Diego’s child care ecosystem. Together, we are creating a local movement to make quality, affordable child care available to every working family that wants and needs it. Critical to that mission is to ensure that providers and child care workers are compensated, supported, and respected as the professional educators that they are. Come learn about our vision and approach, and share your dream for the child care and early learning sector!

Presenters: Erin Hogeboom (San Diego for Every Child), Courtney Baltiyskyy (YMCA of San Diego County)

Friday, Mar. 10 | 2:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. | Room: Pacific D | Capacity: 80

Audience: Teacher or Caregiver, Leader/Administrator | Relevant Age Group: I/T, PK, TK/K

Decades of research has shown that through intentional play, children learn a breadth of social-emotional, cognitive and physical skills - as well as essential dispositions for learning. Intentional play activities provide a place to safely express their range of emotions, feel a sense of control and build coping skills. When we create a classroom environment with activities that embrace the concept of intentional play, we provide children the opportunity to feel safe, supported and connected while they explore, discover, collaborate and thrive.

Presenter: Beth Tulk (Frog Street)

Saturday, Mar. 11 | 9:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. | Room: Palm 1-2 | Capacity: 100

Audience: Teacher or Caregiver | Relevant Age Group: I/T, PK, TK/K, 1-3

Teaching can be an intensive job; therefore, educators can greatly benefit from learning about and practicing self-care and allowing themselves to breathe. Unfortunately, teachers may worry that taking care of themselves can lead to self-absorption and distract them from their students. However, self-care isn’t at all about selfishness.

In fact, practicing self-care can be in the best interest of everyone in your classroom. Self-care is all about taking care of your health and making sure that you have everything you need to thrive as a teacher. Without taking care of yourself, you won’t have the energy to help your students.

In this workshop participants will create their own calmness bag, learn what self-care is, why it’s important for educators, and how to bring it into their daily life as well as into the classroom.

Presenters: Marlo Dinkins and Miranda Dinkins (Lucabug & Company Consulting Services, LLC)

Saturday, Mar. 11 | 9:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. | Room: Pacific D | Capacity: 80

Audience: Teacher or Caregiver | Relevant Age Group: TK/K

Do you want to incorporate practical strategies to enhance your TK developmentally appropriate classroom environment? In this interactive workshop, you will experience observations, demonstrations and prompts to reflect on ways to effectively plan intentional routine activities that promote TK children’s school readiness skills. We will practice and reflect on intentionally planned routine experiences that stimulate children's creativity, independence, fosters emotional well being, and engages higher order thinking skills to promote kinder readiness! 

Presenters: Michelle Galindo (Southwestern College), Julie Pretzer-Huezo (Chula Vista School District)

Saturday, Mar. 11 | 9:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. | Room: Pacific E | Capacity: 80

Audience: Teacher or Caregiver | Relevant Age Group: PK

This workshop will provide an overview of Project Based Learning as a curriculum approach at a campus based lab school including the benefits of using PBL in relation to inclusive practices, anti-bias curriculum, and supporting social-emotional development.  The presenters will share their journey in learning about PBL and through trial and error and the lessons they learned. In addition, presenters will also share examples of completed projects at the center in both toddler and preschool classroom settings. Presenters will introduce Project Based Learning as a curriculum approach, explore key components of Project Based Learning, highlight the connection between Project Based Learning to inclusive practices, anti-bias curriculum, and social emotional development, demonstrate using Project Based Learning as an approach to introduce age appropriate standards in the classroom and to assess learning outcomes, and share  practical examples of Project Based Learning in an early education setting in toddler and preschool classrooms. 

Presenters: Jennifer Streagle, Maria Lopez,Yi-Cheng Hu (Child Development Center at MiraCosta College)

Saturday, Mar. 11 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Room: Pacific E | Capacity: 80

Audience: Teacher or Caregiver | Relevant Age Group: I/T, PK, TK/K, 1-2

When we put equity and anti-bias at the heart of early childhood education, we have an opportunity to create a better world. Educators can help children appreciate family, culture, and diversity as they develop their sense of self. During this overview, participants will become familiar with the four core goals of anti-bias education, explore resources that support anti-bias work in the early childhood setting, and identify strategies to foster equity and anti-bias in their programs.

Presenters: Denisse Camargo, Lucille Segura (SDCOE)

Saturday, Mar. 11 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Room: Pacific C | Capacity: 80

Audience: Teacher or Caregiver | Relevant Age Group: I/T, PK, TK/K

According to the Early Care Workforce Registry data there is a disproportionate number of Latinx assistant teachers when compared with white directors in the state of California. This has not changed over the years. Why are not Latinx assistant teachers applying for leadership roles in the early childhood field? This workshop is a reflective conversation for those who are in a teacher position wanting to become directors soon. It is also for leaders who are interested in supporting their staff to grow and aspire for leadership positions. In this session we will examine the challenges teachers face to move our way up into director roles. This session will encourage active interaction, conversations,  and collaboration. After this learning experience, participants will be inspired to seek leadership positions. 

Objectives:

• Examine research collected by the Early Care Workforce Registry
• Identify the challenges to become leaders in the ECE profession
• Find solutions to close the inequality gap

De acuerdo a los datos de Early Care Workforce Registry hay una desproporción en el número de  educadores asistentes latinos comparados con directores blancos. Esta situación no ha cambiado a través de los años en el estado de California. ¿Por qué los maestros latinos no están aplicando a roles de liderazgo en el ámbito de educación?  Este taller es una conversación reflexiva para aquellos maestros que están considerando ser directores. Es también para directores interesados en apoyar a su personal a crecer y aspirar a posiciones de liderazgo. En esta sesión vamos a examinar los retos de la profesión para crecer profesionalmente. Vamos a interactuar, conversar y colaborar todos. Después de esta experiencia te inspirará para buscar posiciones de liderazgo.

Objetivos:

• Examinar los datos recogidos por el Early Care Workforce Registry
• Identificar los retos para ser lideres en la profesion
• Encontrar soluciones para cerrar la brecha de desigualdad

Presenters: Lenika Flores (YMCA), Michelle Galindo (Wested)

Saturday, Mar. 11 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Room: Palm 1-2 | Capacity: 100

Audience: Teacher or Caregiver | Relevant Age Group: PK, TK/K, 1-3

Singing is a powerful tool that produces JOY and alleviates anxiety and stress.  Singing develops vocabulary, fluency and confidence in oral language and reading.  Signing (ASL) is a kinesthetic activity that engages the entire brain and promotes long term retention and accelerates letter and sound identification while also motivating young children to read and write. Together, singing and signing makes literacy development fun and exciting for ALL students...it brings JOY to education!

Presenter: Mike Longoria, Ph.D. (Dr. Mike!)

Saturday, Mar. 11 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Room: Pacific H & I | Capacity: 70

Audience: Teacher or Caregiver | Relevant Age Group: I/T, PK

LOVE may be all you need…but Practical Strategies help too! You will learn: What "love" through social-emotional teaching can look like and mean in your classroom curriculum. Who "love" starts with and how to build trust and develop relationships with your students. You will play and practice: Using hands on activities and strategies to support social-emotional concepts, such as: self-confidence, self-awareness, and self-worth! You will reflect: By taking time to discuss, review, discover, and journal what practicing "love" through social-emotional strategies could mean for you and your students. You will walk away with: 5 social-emotional strategies for immediate implementation! - Spread a little LOVE wherever you go - 

Presenter: Dr. Lesley Pearson (San Diego Community College District)

Saturday, Mar. 11 | 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Room: Palm 1-2 | Capacity: 100

Audience: Teacher or Caregiver | Relevant Age Group: PK, TK/K, 1-3

El canto desarolla el lenguaje que produce ALEGRÍA y alivia la ansiedad y el estrés. Cantar desarrolla el vocabulario, fluidez y confianza en el lenguaje oral y el alfabetismo. Hacer señas (ASL) es una actividad kinestésica que involucra todo el cerebro y promueve la retención a largo plazo y acelera la identificación de letras y sonidos, al mismo tiempo motiva a los niños a leer y escribir. Juntos, el canto y las señas hacen que el desarrollo de el alfabetismo sea divertido y emocionante para TODOS los estudiantes... ¡trae ALEGRÍA a la educación!

Presenter: Mike Longoria, Ph.D. (Dr. Mike!)

Saturday, Mar. 11 | 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Room: Pacific C | Capacity: 80

Audience: Teacher or Caregiver | Relevant Age Group: PK, TK/K

In the recent years, Mindfulness has gained popularity in our society including in the Early Childhood Education field. In fact, resent research has shown that Mindfulness has many benefits for children and adults.  In this session, we will define and discuss Mindfulness and its benefits. Specifically, we will explore and practice two developmentally appropriate Mindfulness activities that we can used to support self-regulation in young children including Mindful Breathing & Mindful Yoga. That’s not all! As adults working in the field of Early Childhood Education we can also benefit from this practice. This presentation will benefit adults responsible for young children; specifically, Pre-K and T-K teachers. If we want to take care of others and encourage them to reach their full potential, first we need to take care of ourselves, especially of our metal health. In this session, we will also have the opportunity to explore and practice two Mindfulness activities for adults including Mindful Body Scan & Mindful Affirmations. 

En los últimos años, Mindfulness ha ganado popularidad en nuestra sociedad, incluso en el campo de la Educación Infantil. De hecho, investigaciones recientes ha demostrado que Mindfulness tiene muchos beneficios para niños y adultos. En esta sesión, definiremos y discutiremos Mindfulness y sus beneficios. Específicamente, exploraremos y practicaremos dos actividades de atención plena apropiadas para el desarrollo que podemos usar para apoyar la autorregulación en niños pequeños, incluida la respiración y el yoga consciente. ¡Eso no es todo! Como adultos que trabajamos en el campo de la Educación Infantil también podemos beneficiarnos de esta práctica. Esta presentación beneficiará a los adultos responsables de los niños pequeños; específicamente, maestros de Pre-K y T-K. Si queremos cuidar a los demás y alentarlos a alcanzar su máximo potencial, primero debemos cuidarnos a nosotros mismos, especialmente a nuestra salud mental. En esta sesión, también tendremos la oportunidad de explorar y practicar dos actividades de Mindfulness para adultos, que incluyen escaneo corporal y afirmaciones positivas.

Presenters: Jackqueline Espinoza (Chula Vista Elementary School District), Michelle Galindo, Lenika Flores

Saturday, Mar. 11 | 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Room: Pacific E | Capacity: 80

Audience: Teacher or Caregiver | Relevant Age Group: I/T, PK, TK/K, 1-3

Educator well-being is imperative to provide a responsive and attuned relationship to students and their families so it’s time to start attuning and responding to our own needs.  In this in-person session, attendees will identify personal self-care strategies that are individualized to their needs and ultimately impact their well-being as well as the well-being and success of the children and families they are serving. Creating resilient futures starts with the educators! 

Participants will: 

• Explore the myths of self-care to identify their personal self-care strategies 
• Examine the connection between self-care and well-being 
• Review the direct relationship between educator well-being and student well-being and success

Presenters: Kristen Krauss and Lisa Alonso (SDCOE)

Friday, Mar. 10 | 2:15 - 3:45 PM | Room: Pacific H & I | Capacity: 70

Saturday, Mar. 11 | 9:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. | Room: Pacific C | Capacity: 80

Audience: Teacher or Caregiver

Participants will learn how to be intentional when creating spaces that can invite deeper engagement, promote a sense of intrigue, and how design a classroom that helps children self-regulate. Also, how the brain responds to environmental factors such as lighting, sounds, scents, and temperature. Provide rich environments where children can use all their senses.

Los participants aprenderan a como crear espacios intencionalmente para invitar a los niños a un involucramiento mas profundo, a promover el sentido de la intriga, y a como diseñar un entorno que ayude a los niños a auto-regularse. Tambien, aprenderan a como el cerebro responde a los factores del ambiente como la luz, sonido, olores y temperature. Proveer entornos donde los niños utilicen todos sus sentidos.

Presenter: Katia Solorzano (YMCA Childcare Resource Service)

Friday, Mar. 10 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Room: Town & Country D | Capacity: 100

Saturday, Mar. 11 | 9:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. | Room: Pacific H & I | Capacity: 70

Audience: Teacher or Caregiver | Relevant Age Groups: I/T, PK, TK/K, 1-3

Authentic and meaningful family engagement is vital to building a classroom community as well as a culturally responsive curriculum. Participants will gain powerful insights into potential barriers families face for engagement within school programs and discuss strategies to support these families. This training will also support participants' understanding of culturally responsive care in the early learning classroom. By respectfully and intentionally incorporating various cultures with the aid of families and communities children can learn to appreciate their own culture and those which differ.

Presenter: Brittney Carey (Conscious Pathways)

Friday, Mar. 10 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Room: Town & Country C | Capacity: 100

Saturday, Mar. 11 | 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Room: Pacific D | Capacity: 80

Audience: Teacher or Caregiver | Relevant Age Groups: PK, TK/K, 1-3

A U.S. Department of Education report states, "If we want a nation where our future leaders, neighbors, and workers can understand and solve some of the complex challenges of today and tomorrow, and to meet the demands of the dynamic and evolving workforce, building students' skills, content knowledge, and fluency in STEM fields is essential."    Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education fosters critical thinking skills and innovative problem solving. Empowering young learners to approach the world with wonder and a desire to uncover answers and solutions is key to a successful future and a successful world—no matter a child’s career trajectory.    

In this session, participants will be introduced to questioning strategies that will support and foster curiosity in early learners. In addition, through interactive modeling, participants will get the opportunity to engage in the design of hands-on, experiential learning opportunities and scaffolded learning experiences. 

Presenters: Shiri Puhovitsky and Teal Young (San Diego Children's Discovery Museum)

Friday, Mar. 10 | 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Room: Pacific F & G | Capacity: 70

Saturday, Mar. 11 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Room: Pacific D | Capacity: 80

Audience: Teacher or Caregiver | Relevant Age Groups: I/T, PK, TK/K, 1-3

Understanding the pathways to teaching can be tricky. In this session we’ll go over the options and requirements for teaching credentials, including some alternatives you may not be aware of. We’ll also include some of the financial supports and other resources that can help you along the way.

Presenters: Adina Sullivan-Marlow and Calipso Barrera-Gomez (SDCOE)

Friday, Mar. 10 | 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Room: Town & Country D | Capacity: 100

Saturday, Mar. 11 | 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Room: Pacific H & I | Capacity: 70

Audience: Teacher or Caregiver | Relevant Age Groups: PK, TK/K, 1-3

This session is designed to build social emotional learning (SEL) competencies that include executive functioning skills, self-awareness, self-management, empathy toward others, physical well-being, and stress reduction to improve focus for early childhood educators, which research shows positively impacts younger learners.

Presenters: Erin Cooney and Anne Contreras (Pure Edge Inc.)

Saturday, Mar. 11 | 9:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. | Room: Pacific F & G | Capacity: 70

Te acuerdas donde pasabas la mayoría del tiempo jugando en tu infancia? Al aire libre! Acompáñanos para aprender sobre nuevos juegos al aire libre y sus beneficios. Durante este entrenamiento, aprenderémos sobre los beneficios del juego al aire libre. Aprenderémos sobre los beneficios de actividades de balanceo y repasarémos sobre los beneficios que tienen el tomar agua y tomar descansos cuando estémos jugando al aire libre, especialmente cuando estamos haciendo actividad física vigorosa.

Presenters: Andrea Rangel, Giselle Moreno

Saturday, Mar. 11 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Room: Pacific F & G | Capacity: 70

In this interactive training, participants will learn about the “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” program. The Center for Disease Control “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” program helps caregivers and providers of young children to “learn the signs” of typical early childhood development and “act early” on developmental concerns. In this session, participants will explore the tools and resources available for supporting children and families in this process. This training will also include an introduction to the free CDC’s Milestone Tracker App to learn simple tips to share with families and caregivers.

Presenters: Adilene Rodriguez, Karen Matsuda

Saturday, Mar. 11 | 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Room: Pacific F & G | Capacity: 70

Early Care and Education settings can positively impact a child’s cognitive and social development and providers, educators, practitioners, and leaders play a pivotal role by providing nurturing, highly quality, and engaging environments that meet the interests and needs of all children, regardless of ability.  This session will provide you with foundational knowledge regarding the history and philosophy of inclusion, definition of early childhood inclusion, policies regarding inclusive practices and steps you can take to support inclusion in your early childhood setting.

Presenters: Melissa Rugama, Victorina Napitan