Mind and Hearts Together: Inseparable Tools for Learning

Join internationally known early childhood educator, Ellen Booth Church for a lively keynote dedicated to creating connection between social emotional learning and academic skills. There are so many ways we can encourage children to use their minds and hearts together daily. Come explore great ideas you can take right back to your classroom. This interactive keynote will have you thinking, feeling and problem solving with joy and humor! 

Terrific Transitions: Using Transitions to Teach and Manage Behavior

 

Transitions can be one of your best tools for managing behavior in your classroom management tool belt. These quick interludes can positively redirect attention, calm and center, release extra energy and tension, and gently guide behavior. Ellen Booth Church is well known as an expert in Circle Time and Transitions. Several of her books are on these topics. In this session she will take an interesting look at ways we can use Transitions as mini-teaching opportunities and a joyful approach to managing behavior with compassion and clarity.

The ART and Science of Thinking 

Young children are natural investigators, scientists and thinkers.  Through our purposeful play interactions and conversations with children we encourage the development of language and higher order thinking skills. In this workshop we will explore the practical application of Bloom’s Taxonomy and the Scientific Method throughout your day… from greeting to goodbye!

Arts Play Brain Play

We all use art and music and dance in our early childhood programs daily.  Let’s take a look at how these important activities support brain development and higher order thinking skills!

 

Arts Play-Literacy Play

A more specific keynote and workshop that looks at the connections between the arts and the development of early literacy skills.

 

Don’t Forget Your Funny Bone

A look at the importance of having Humor in your curriculum!  From research “whys” to the hilarious “hows” we will explore the power of humor in all areas of the curriculum.

Teachings Around the Circle

From the author of the Group Time column in Scholastic’s Early Childhood Today magazine for the last 20 years.... A session filled with new perspectives on an old topic. We will experience creative ways to use Circle Time to teach and inspire children through a diverse use of creative (and unusual) ideas and materials.  Your circle time will never look the same again!

 

Science is the Art of Invention

How is Science an Art and Art a science?  We will explore the ways young children use science thinking and processing skills in everyday art, and the activities you can use to encourage deeper exploration.

A Day in the Life of a  Preschooler

An all day workshop with Ellen Booth Church

In this full-day session, participants will be both the “children” and the “observers” as they experience a wide variety of fresh ideas for activities throughout the preschool day. This hands-on session will provide an emphasis on recent brain research that explains the “why’s and how’s” of these exciting activities. Participants will have the opportunity to interact with learning materials that support a quality classroom environment.

Using Developmentally Appropriate Manipulatives and Toys to Stimulate Brain Development

How can Infant and toddler teachers put the recent studies in Brain Development into action?   We have all read the information, now let’s co-create Developmentally Appropriate Activities to enliven our interactions with Infants/Toddlers and manipulatives.    New and experienced caregivers alike can feel unsure of what to say or do when sharing toys with young children.  Questions arise such as: What should I say?  When is it better to be quiet? When do I add a new challenge? Which toys and activities will help infants and toddlers develop particular skills? It is important for caregivers to know how their interactions with children actually develop language, cognitive, motor and social skills.  Through addressing these questions as we interact with actual materials we will develop guidelines and activities for more effective and productive interactions with children and materials.

HOW to Inspire your Child to Love of Learning

Very early in life children begin exploring the world with their bodies, senses, and developing skills. They intuitively know how to take the smallest observation, object, or surprise and turn it into a meaningful experience. It is our job to support this curiosity and help it grow. How to inspire curiosity, creative thinking, and joy along your child’s path to greater knowledge? Join Ellen as she shares some practical suggestions you can take right back to your family.

 

The Power of Play

How does your child learn? With her whole being…mind and heart together! Join Internationally known early childhood educator, Ellen Booth Church for a fun and interactive look at the many ways we encourage our children to use thinking skills through asking fun questions and simple activities you can do at home. This is an active and interactive workshop...so come prepared to play!

 

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Preschool (or Kindergarten/First Grade) And Didn’t Know Whom to Ask

Based on my books of the same name... these are workshops that help parents know how to choose good programs, prepare their child for them and help them make the transitions between Preschool and Kindergarten.  Hands-on experiences for parents to experience and opportunities for them to ask the tough questions.

Think About It

How to Promote Brain Development in Your Child Through Conversations and Play!