• Help! This Child Is Driving Me Crazy

Help! This child is driving me crazy! How can the difficult child become the shining star? This workshop will address important discipline skills which empower young children, ages 30 months - school age who are seemingly difficult. Participants will learn about temperament and assess their own to see how difficult they are! These children are the "movers and shakers" of our world when a trained teacher knows what to do to encourage success.  Participants in this workshop will be trained to embrace the difficult child and help him make a positive difference in any setting.

• Infants, Toddlers, and Twos: Changing Lives Forever

This workshop will address the realistic expectations for infants, toddlers, and two-year olds, and provide help for teachers and parents who want to better understand children of this age. The emotional roller-coaster behavior associated with this age group can be embraced by adults who understand the reasons behind these behaviors. Developmental milestones and "homework" of two-year olds will be discussed so participants will understand how to effectively plan optimal experiences for our youngest children. Participants will learn how to be exceptional caregivers of this age group.

• What is Going on in There? What We Need to Know about Brain Development

Amazing experiences nourish the brain and make children smarter. Children benefit from environments that nurture their cognitive development in a developmentally appropriate manner, and this requires an adult's understanding about what young brains need. Healthy environments are free from threat and encourage children to learn by using all of their senses. Healthy environments tap into a child's natural curiosity about the world, and seize teachable moments. Which moments are important to capture? How can adults maximize brain power in children? You will be surprised at the answers. This workshop is based on current information including recommendations from scientists studying learning and the brain at Harvard University and MIT.

• Emotional Intelligence: It May Be More Important Than I.Q.

Children are developing emotional skills through adolescence. Research has identified key assets that are particularly important for later success. Participants will identify which skills are most important in determing a child's success, including self-esteem, delaying gratification, emotional awareness and control, motivation, positive communication, and effective problem solving. Children need enriching experiences to help learn these important skills. This workshop will address how parents and teachers can provide the support and experiences necessary for children to succeed.