Mid-Valley Parenting

Bridges to the Future Conference

Event Description:

The goal of the Bridges to the Future: Connecting Early Learning to Kindergarten event is to support parents, caregivers, early elementary school teachers and staff, and early learning professionals; particularly those with children between the ages of zero to eight, by providing an opportunity to learn and to advance the educational and transition opportunities for the children they teach.

Event Structure:

The 5th Annual Bridges to the Future Early Childhood and Early Elementary Educators Conference will be held on Thursday, May 9th & Friday, May 10th from 8am to 4pm each day at Western Oregon University. The goal of this conference each year is to support parents, caregivers, early elementary school teachers and staff, and early learning professionals; particularly those with children between the ages of zero to eight, by providing an opportunity to learn and to advance the educational and transition opportunities for the children they teach. 

During our time together, conference participants will hear from our keynote speaker, Dr. Ben Smith, founder of iBehavior Support, and have the opportunity to attend sessions of their choosing for the remainder of the conference. Much of the conference and the sessions included this year will focus on topics around social emotional learning, behaviors, supporting children with special needs, and mindfulness.  

Conference Fees: 
Single day registration: $50 

Full conference registration: $80

For group registration for 10 or more participants, contact Stephanie Gilbert, Polk County Family & Community Outreach Program Manager, gilbert.stephanie@co.polk.or.us 

**All Registration Fees Are Non-Refundable**

Scholarships: 
For those needing assistance with the conference registration fees, scholarships may be available through the Oregon Family Child Care Scholarship Application. If you plan to apply for a scholarship, please do so prior to registering for the conference. Other questions about scholarship opportunities should be directed to our conference planning team at gilbert.stephanie@co.polk.or.us

Registration:
Please complete the following registration form which will allow you to select your conference workshops, register for ORO credits, and get on our email list for updates about this conference.

 

Thursday Morning Sessions:

Re-thinking "Challenging Behaviors"- How We Can Use a New Thought Process to Better Support ALL Children

Presented in English by: Samuel Broaden 

ORO Set 1 CKC: Understanding & Guiding Behavior

It is time that we start to re-think what we call "challenging behaviors". Even the word itself brings about a negative connotation and can lead us to react or respond to the child in a way that is not supportive or safe. Let's re-think what these behaviors are and what we can do to better support ALL children. Hint: it starts with us. We need to do the self-work to shift our mindset and our thoughts on these behaviors so that we can come to our work and practice wholly and ready to offer the exact support each child needs-when they need it.

Granting Children Their Emotions

Presented in English by: Jane Nicholson 

ORO Set 2 CKC: Understanding & Guiding Behavior

Participants will examine the consequences of not granting children their emotions for healthy child development; Participants will model emotional skills to children by listening to them, and by recognizing and accepting their expressed emotions; Participants will demonstrate how to respond with empathy to children's emotions and why such a response is important; Participants will explore their relationship as a role model for families by demonstrating ways to empathize with children and to recognize and accept expressed emotions.

Techniques to Build an Inclusive Environment

Presented in English by: Karla Perez-Young

ORO Set 2 CKC: Diversity, Special Needs

When you build inclusive practices you promote inclusion in a learning environment. Join us as we study how positive relationships influence and lead to inclusive practices. Through reflection and case studies, we will discuss and practice specific techniques to build a more inclusive environment. Participants will be able to see how they are inclusive in their teaching techniques used to encourage a child’s positive self-esteem.

Smart Heart-to-Heart Leadership: Honoring Emotional Intelligence

Presented in English by: Sara Garczynski 

ORO Set 2 CKC: Personal, Professional & Leadership Development

Even successful leaders get it wrong, but if we use our hearts through the process it makes a difference. This training explores the differences between intelligence and emotional intelligence (hint - we need them both!), how our brain processes information and emotion, and how we can apply this information to become stronger leaders.

Loose Parts at Recess! 

Presented in English by: Leon Smith 

ORO Set 1 CKC: Learning Environments & Curriculum

What happens when you add loose parts to recess?  In 2017, Portland Free Play introduced first-of-it's-kind pilot program to introduce loose play materials into recess at a public elementary school in Portland. Since then, they have expanded the Play Pod program to several other elementary and preschool programs around the Portland area. This simple intervention dramatically increased the opportunities for creative play and learning at recess, which resulted in a more inclusive play experience and happier kids!


In this workshop, we will examine how Loose Parts can dramatically increase the play possibilities in an outdoor play area.  We will learn how free play supports healthy development and helps children process the stressful events of life. We will discuss specific strategies to incorporate loose parts into the playground in a way that is safe and supportive of learning. We will also discuss tools for managing challenging play behaviors in a way that respects and empowers children.

Developing Early Childhood Education Settings to Support Students with Autism and Other Developmental Delays

*This is an ALL DAY session**

Presented in English by: Alicia Balfrey and Katelyn Parisi

ORO Set 2 CKC: Special Needs, Understanding & Guiding Behavior

This training provides early childhood education staff with the knowledge to develop classrooms that support children with autism through the implementation of research-based strategies. Topics include examining learning characteristics of autism, positive behavioral strategies, and techniques to promote social and language skills. This workshop provides examples of evidence-based practices that can be immediately implemented in classrooms.

Thursday Afternoon Sessions:

Re-thinking "Challenging Behaviors": How We Can Use a New Thought Process to Better Support ALL Children

Presented in English by: Samuel Broaden

ORO Set 1 CKC: Understanding & Guiding Behavior

It is time that we start to re-think what we call "challenging behaviors". Even the word itself brings about a negative connotation and can lead us to react or respond to the child in a way that is not supportive or safe. Let's re-think what these behaviors are and what we can do to better support ALL children. Hint: it starts with us. We need to do the self-work to shift our mindset and our thoughts on these behaviors so that we can come to our work and practice wholly and ready to offer the exact support each child needs-when they need it.

Risky Business: Promoting Play and Risk Taking in Early Learning Settings to Increase Social Emotional Development

Presented in English by: Erica Hinshaw

ORO Set 2 CKC: Learning Environments & Curriculum

Participants will examine theories of practice in social emotional learning. We will distinguish appropriate levels of risk and play and how that is associated with learning.

Building Strong Connections with Families

Presented in English by: Karla Perez-Young

ORO Set 2 CKC: Families & Community Systems

Building strong connections with families is crucial in early childhood education. Participants will study effective communication strategies.

A Deep Dive Into the Importance of Phonemic Awareness in the Preschool Classroom

Presented in English by: Debby Laimon

ORO Set 2 CKC: Learning Environments & Curriculum

Phonemic awareness skills are the best predictor of reading success in later years. Many of these skills, such as syllable counting, rhyming, identification of first sounds, and phonemic segmentation can be taught to preschool children through a variety of play-based activities. This presentation will highlight the research that focuses on the link between phonemic awareness and reading success, present strategies to incorporate phonemic awareness activities into the preschool classroom.

Supporting Children and Families Who Have Experienced Trauma

Presented in English by: Sara Ashou

ORO Set 2 CKC: Family & Community Systems, Special Needs

During this workshop, participants will have a better understanding of what trauma is and its impact on the development of children. Participants will have the chance to discuss and reflect on the importance of being a trauma-informed professional and through the analysis of cases, they will develop strategies to support children and families who have experienced trauma.

Screening Infants and Toddlers Using the ASQ-3: How to Administer, Score and Support Families in Culturally Sensitive Ways

Presented in English by: Sara Garczynski

ORO Set 2 CKC: Observation & Assessment, Diversity

This training examines how screening in the early years can impact and support infant and toddler development. 

 

Friday Morning Sessions:

Techniques to Build an Inclusive Environment

Presented in Spanish by: Karla Perez-Young

ORO Set 2 CKC: Diversity and Special Needs

When you build inclusive practices you promote inclusion in a learning environment. Join us as we study how positive relationships influence and lead to inclusive practices. Through reflection and case studies, we will discuss and practice specific techniques to build a more inclusive environment. Participants will be able to see how they are inclusive in their teaching techniques used to encourage a child’s positive self-esteem.

Childhood Grief and Loss

Presented in Spanish by: Lucy Beltran and Mayra Polanco

ORO Set 1 CKC: Understanding and Guiding Behavior

In this workshop we will address how children, as well as adults, experience losses, from a change of school, the loss of their favorite toy to the death of a loved one or pet, and how, depending on their age, we can give them the tools to make it happen. resilient way does not become a complicated grief. We will have dialogue and activities between the participants.

ADHD 201

Presented in English by: Jennifer Cork

ORO Set 2 CKC: Special Needs

ADHD 201 reviews information about attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, including the traits, history, causes, treatments, and an overview of how you can support someone with ADHD in the classroom or daycare setting.

10 Strategies to Minimize Behavior Challenges in Preschool Children

Presented in Spanish by: David Orozco

ORO Set 1 CKC: Understanding & Guiding Behavior

The most effective strategies for addressing challenging behaviors on preschool children are primarily focused on prevention of challenging behavior and promotion of appropriate social behaviors. Participants will learn 10 simple and useful strategies to minimize behavior challenges in preschool aged children.

Embracing Gender Diversity in Early Childhood

Presented in English by: Teresa Ashford

ORO Set 2 CKC: Diversity

Social injustice harms children and their families. Young children should be able to participate in their classroom environments and see not only themselves and their families but a multitude of people representing diverse gender identities. In this workshop, we will explore how to make this happen in our programs.

Creating Positive Connections: Purposeful Preschool Classroom Engagement

Presented in English by: Erica Hinshaw

ORO Set 2 CKC: Learning Environments and Curriculum

Participants will explore evidence-based practices around intentional teacher/child engagement opportunities in the classroom. They will investigate and explore data-tracking tools to create an environment that promotes positive connections.

Granting Children Their Emotions

Presented in English by: Jane Nicholson

ORO Set 2 CKC: Understanding & Guiding Behavior

Participants will examine the consequences of not granting children their emotions for healthy child development; Participants will model emotional skills to children by listening to them, and by recognizing and accepting their expressed emotions; Participants will demonstrate how to respond with empathy to children's emotions and why such a response is important; Participants will explore their relationship as a role model for families by demonstrating ways to empathize with children and to recognize and accept expressed emotions.

Friday Afternoon Sessions:

 

Building Strong Connections with Families

Presented in Spanish by: Karla Perez-Young

ORO Set 2 CKC: Families & Community Systems

Building strong connections with families is crucial in early childhood education. Participants will study effective communication strategies.

Childhood Grief and Loss

Presented in Spanish by: Lucy Beltran and Mayra Polanco

ORO Set 1 CKC: Understanding and Guiding Behavior

In this workshop we will address how children, as well as adults, experience losses, from a change of school, the loss of their favorite toy to the death of a loved one or pet, and how, depending on their age, we can give them the tools to make it happen. resilient way does not become a complicated grief. We will have dialogue and activities between the participants.

Autism 201

Presented in English by: Jennifer Cork

ORO Set 2 CKC: Special Needs

Autism 201 reviews information about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) including the symptoms, causes, treatments, and an overview of how you can support someone with autism in the classroom.

Building collaborative and trusting relationships with families

Presented in Spanish by: David Orozco

ORO Set 1 CKC: Families & Community Systems

Participants will learn the importance of family engagement and how to build a stronger collaborative relationship with the families they serve based on trust and respect. Also, how to work with families to build strong and effective partnerships so can help children and families thrive -- all while maintaining clear and professional boundaries.

What would you say? Navigating Tricky Conversations with Children and Families

Presented in English by: Teresa Ashford

ORO Set 2 CKC: Diversity, Family & Community Systems

When was the last time you had an engaging conversation with a child or grown-up about difference & diversity? What messages did the other person receive about talking about difference & diversity? In this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to review the Framework for Anti-Bias Teaching and how we can use that framework to inform best practice responses. We will also reflect upon how our identity shapes our responses and comfort level whilst navigating tricky conversations. Participants will explore the basics of talking with children and adults, and how to go about answering their questions in honest and developmentally appropriate ways. In the culmination of this workshop, participants will engage in intensive, collaborative group practice using scenarios related to gender diversity, race and ethnicity, family composition, socioeconomic status, disability, and other potentially tender topics.

Strategies to Select Quality Multicultural Children's Books for A Diverse Bookshelf

Presented in English by: Ya-Fang Cheng and Annie Delbridge

ORO Set 2 CKC: Diversity, Learning Environments & Curriculum

In this interactive workshop, participants will learn the importance of including multicultural children's books to promote diversity and inclusion in early childhood classrooms. The presenters will share strategies for reviewing the quality of children's literature and provide a list of award-winning books to create a diverse bookshelf. The participants will have opportunities to read multicultural children's books and discuss their applications in early childhood classrooms.

Oppositional, Defiant and Disruptive Youth: Therapeutic Interventions for Challenging Behaviors

Presented in English by: Natalie James

ORO Set 2 CKC: Diversity, Understanding & Guiding Behavior

Tantrum, rages, aggression, non-compliance with even simple requests, escape behaviors, panic meltdowns; why do these behaviors happen? How do we best respond? Together we will examine the fundamentals of brain development with respect to emotional regulation, dissect the connection between the human stress response and behavior, and implement universally appropriate methods for responding to challenging behaviors rooted in distress.