A Curriculum and

Learning Environment Conference

April 9, 2011
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Palm Beach Atlantic University
West Palm Beach

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 Keynote : Musical Gestures and Textures
Join us for an upbeat, energizing and informative musical learning
experience. Explore the musical wonders of melody, harmony,
rhythm, tempo, meter, instrumentation, and multiculturalism with
Dr Aaron Kula and Dr. Nancy Brown. Discover new ways to
integrate musical elements into the daily life of the classroom.

Dr. Nancy Brown

Dr. Nancy Brown is the Director of the Toppel Family Early Childhood Education Institute and
Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education at Florida Atlantic University’s College of
Education. She is responsible for staff development and curriculum in the College of Education’s
innovative lab preschool, the Slattery Center. Dr. Brown completed her doctorate at Teachers
College, Columbia University in New York City, and Post Doctoral studies
in Educational Leadership at Bank Street College of Education. Her
research centers on resilience through the eyes of children as
demonstrated in their art and creative writing.

and Dr. Aaron Kula

Dr. Aaron Kula is nationally recognized orchestral conductor, scholar, lecturer, performer,
and Jewish Ethnomusicologist. He specializes in orchestral studies, wind ensemble, academic
courses in music appreciation, theory, composition, history, conducting, and Klezmer music
at the pre-college through graduate school level.

Conference Schedule
8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. …….……….…Check-in, Breakfast & Browsing Vendor Displays
Lassiter Student Center, on the Green

8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. ………….... Week of the Young Child Celebration and Keynote
DeSantis Family Chapel

10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. ….………………………………………Morning Breakout Sessions

MacArthur Hall & Rinker Hall

12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. ……..…………………………….Lunch, Browsing Vendor Displays

Lassiter Student Center on the Green

1:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m………………………………….…………Afternoon Breakout Sessions

MacArthur Hall & Rinker Hall

3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. …………………………………..………………..……… Closing Session

DeSantis Family Chapel
 Children Count
Opening Session
Join us in kicking-off the
WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD
It’s A Celebration
County and City recognition and proclamations

See yourself on the big screen.

Breakout Sessions
(All sessions are presented both AM and PM unless otherwise noted)

Squish-Squash Open-Ended Art (AM ONLY)

Presenter: Lois Wachtel
Discuss the importance of open-ended art in our classrooms, as we learn to value the art process and the
importance it holds for our children’s growth. Participants will be encouraged to leave the paint brush in the closet,
as we use our imaginations to think of new creative painting mediums. We will paint on paper towels, create
artwork with a friend, design bio-putty, while painting with plungers, feathers, and squishy balls. Lots of giggles,
a bit of music, and total interaction will make this workshop a FUN learning experience for all!

Let’s Make Learning Fun

Presenter: Dina Muia-Pasakaluk and Sarah Henning
This workshop is geared towards being able to teach the learning standards throughout the day without the
stress of worksheets! The activities will be created for a variety of settings including: small group, large
group and center time.

KidVision VPK- Virtual Field Trips Make Learning Fun

Presenter: Penny Bernath
Put on your virtual walking shoes and your thinking caps. You will personally take a virtual
field trip to a Recycling Center and get ideas how you can do this in the classroom on Monday
morning.

The Six Faces of an Early Childhood Educator: Which one are you?
Presenter: Dr. Lori Dassa and Dr. Traci Baxley
Through literature and manipulatives, delve into the 6 different types of early childhood teachers that exist
ranging from the basic to the truly exceptional. Engage in activities representing each and view these
educators through the eyes of children and then again through the critical teacher eye.

Finding the Child’s Inner Strength-Building Emotional Intelligence

Presenters: Debbie Rasso
Help children learn how to quiet their minds, calm their bodies and manage their emotions. more skillfully.
Children will be more opened to learning and teachers will enjoy teaching, when children have increased self-
esteem, improved concentration, awareness, enhanced empathy and communication skills the are more open
to learning.
Upside Down Fairy Tales and Nursery Rhymes (PM ONLY)
Presenter: Janet S. Lifshin
What can we learn from Goldilocks, Little Red Riding Hood and Twinkle,Twinkle Little Star? Childhood is filled
with fairy tales and nursery rhymes with familiar words and songs that delight young and old. In Upside
Down Fairy Tales and Nursery Rhymes participants will learn new perspectives on familiar stories using hands
on experiences.

Curriculum Counts: How to create and implementation quality learning experiences in

your classroom
Presenter: Lorraine Breffni Ed. D.
This workshop will present an overview of best practice in early childhood curriculum. Participants will
have opportunity to reflect on how they think about and generate curriculum. Practical examples of early
childhood curriculum in action using real case studies will also be presented.

Calm, Connect, and Clarify: Brainsmart steps for classroom routines and conflict
moments.
Presenter: Jonathan Eastman
The Conscious Discipline® “Brainsmart Routine” incorporates step by step components for planning circle time
or transition activities - that meet social-emotional needs and prepares the brain for learning. When
addressing conflict moments, following these same principles cuts the intensity and can facilitate a cooperative
learning opportunity. Participants learn the 4 elements of a “Brainsmart Routine”, viewing and practicing a
variety of examples for different times, settings, and developmental levels. This workshop will also relate
these elements to best practices for handling the unplanned upsets, conflicts, and problems that often occur.

Be a Star: Introduction to conscious discipline in Spanish

Presenter: Amparo Morillas
Adquiera un nuevo entendimiento de principios basados en el funcionamiento del cerebro y aplicaciones
practicas sirviendo a nuestros ninos. Aprenda estrategias para incrementar la paz, construir la communidad y
promover el desarrollo social y emocional.

The Environment as the Third Teacher (PM only)

Presenter: Shari Young, MAJS
Using the Reggio Emilia Approach participants will study the physical environment and space which children
learn in. Through the use of self-reflection the participants will examine the space in their classrooms. The
participants will be able to determine how their classroom space expresses the underlying view of the children
that drive their program.

Moving Beyond the Diagnosis: Supporting young children with special needs
Presenter: Lydia Bartram
Explore factors that affect typical development and offer instruction on how participants can identify
potential developmental delays in young children. Strategies to support children with special needs and their
families by helping them move beyond the diagnosis both in the classroom and at home will be shared.

Collaborative Relationships With Families of Infants and Toddlers:

Providers’ Perspective (AM only)
Presenter: Cassandra Wilbanks
More infants and toddlers are spending time in child care. This session is designed to help caregivers establish
and nurture collaborative relationships with the families of infants and toddlers
Unblock the Power of Blocks
Presenter: Ron Muhl
In this workshop we will engage in activities that will foster a new and lasting appreciation for blocks when
they discover how these simple learning tools boost physical, social and cognitive development. Hands on
activities will be used to bring math, language, and diversity into the block play area.

Parent Partnerships
Presenter: Debbie Le Bella and Leslie Zucker
Educators are given the task of teaching children skills that increase academic, social, emotional and
behavioral competency. Often times however, teachers struggle with how to expand the learning beyond the
child care center and into the home. This workshop will address the importance of teacher-parent
relationships, strategies for engaging parents, and useful tools that teachers can offer parents in increasing
the development of skills beyond the classroom setting and into the home.

Classification vs. Seriation (AM ONLY)

Presenter: Karen Molinario
In teacher’s attempt to understand mathematical concepts, there is often confusion between classification and
seriation in early math learning. Participants will leave this session with an understanding of the difference
between these two areas of math learning, along with some concrete activities and materials to build
children’s wide-ranging interests in these areas of mathematical learning.

Supporting Early Math Learning (PM Only)

Presenter: Karen Molinario
Explore High Scope’s Numbers Plus Mathematics Curriculum and a variety of activities for early math
learning and ways to scaffold learning throughout these activities.

From Message to Meaning: Shared Reading (AM ONLY)

Presenter: Penny Urban
This presentation will explain the benefits of using a daily message board at greeting time for the children
and teachers. It will assist teachers in developing their own messages and techniques in signs and symbols.
It will allow teachers to practice interactive messages that encourage conversation, accumulation of
background knowledge and support math, science and reading skills that lead to more independent and
enjoyable learning.

Look, Explore, and Express: Teaching and Engaging Preschoolers in Learning Science
Presenter: Yash Bhagwanji, Ph.D.
This workshop focuses on practical teaching strategies in helping children develop observational and
exploratory skills related to science. Science themes, centers, and resources will also be discussed.

Art from the Start: The Development of Visual Art for Preschool Children
(PM ONLY)
Presenter: Dr. Nancy Brown
Participants will learn about the teacher’s role in promoting the visual arts in the preschool classroom, how
young children develop visual schema, and how art can support each child’s cultural identity. The workshop
will begin with a hands-on art experience, followed by a presentation on the development and power of
children’s personal images. Each participant will then create a visual “mandala” (circle picture) related to
his/her cultural heritage. A sharing session will allow participants to expand their appreciation of culturally
diverse life stories reflected in their visual art. A lively discussion will conclude the workshop, as participants
talk about applications to their own classroom and school settings.
 Closing Session

The Celebration Continues

Join us in recognizing the recipients of the

First Annual Professional Development Awards

The Becker Brothers Professional Development Award for a childcare program director/ administrator
who recognizes and promotes professional development within his/ her program.

The Lakeshore Professional Development Award for a child care program staff member who
exemplifies dedication and determination in advancing his/her own professional development.

The Kaplan Professional Development Award for a family child care provider who exemplifies
dedication and determination in advancing his/her own professional development.

Closing Remarks…………………………… Bob Danzig

Bob Danzig grew from a childhood spent in numerous foster homes to two
decades as nationwide head of the Hearst Newspaper Group and vice president of
the Hearst Corporation. After graduating from high school with no family support,
he took a job as an office boy at his local newspaper, the Albany (N.Y) Times
Union. Nineteen years later he became publisher of the Times Union, before
heading to the helm of the Hearst Newspaper Group. Now an author and
motivational speaker his goal is to be an instrument for renewed affirmation that
every single person is worthwhile.

For additional information contact Darianne Powell @ 561-514-3364

 Children Count Conference Registration
Name______________________________________Position________________Center/Home______________________

Address____________________________________________________________State_________________Zip________

Phone___________________________________________E-mail_____________________________________________

Please Select your payment method

 I have applied for SEEK dollars (QC sites only)

 Enclosed is my check or money order for $30 payable to Family Central Inc.
 Please charge Head Start Name of Head Start Center _________________________________________________
 Please charge $30 to my:  Visa  Mastercard

Name on Card ____________________________________________ Card #___________________________________

Exp. Date________________________________________ CVV# (3digit # on back of card) ______________________

Signature_______________________________________________________Date_____________

SEEK SCHOLARSHIP MAY BE AVAILABLE FOR ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS IN QUALITY COUNTS. If applying for SEEK
scholarship: You must send this original form to Family Central, Inc. at 3111 S. Dixie Hwy West Palm Beach 33405 and a
copy of this form with your SEEK Application to Palm Beach State College SEEK Office at 812 Fern Street West Palm Beach, Fl
33401 for processing. SEEK application deadline is March 9thth.

Please indicate your first, second and third choice for both the morning and afternoon session by writing the number 1, 2, or 3
next to you choice.
Morning Session Afternoon Session
___Let’s Make Learning Fun ___Let’s Make Learning Fun
___Kidvision VPK-Virtual Field Trips Make Learning Fun ___Kidvision VPK-Virtual Field Trips Make Learning Fun
___The Six Faces of an Early Childhood Educator: ___The Six Faces of an Early Childhood Educator:
Which one are you? Which one are you?
___Finding the Child’s Inner Strength: Building ___Finding the Child’s Inner Strength: Building
Emotional Intelligence Emotional Intelligence
___Curriculum Counts: Quality learning experiences ___Curriculum Counts: Quality learning experiences
in your classroom. in your classroom.
___Calm, Connect, and Clarify: Brainsmart steps for ___Calm, Connect, and Clarify: Brainsmart steps for
classroom routines and conflict moments. classroom routines and conflict moments.
___ “Be a Star” Introduction to Conscious Discipline- ___ “Be a Star” Introduction to Conscious Discipline-
Presented in Spanish Presented in Spanish
___Moving Beyond the Diagnosis: Supporting young ___The Environment as the Third Teacher
children with special needs. ___Moving Beyond the Diagnosis: Supporting young
___Look, Explore and Express: Teaching and engaging children with special needs.
preschoolers in science ___Look, Explore and Express: Teaching and engaging
___Squish-Squash Open Ended Art preschoolers in science
___Parent Partnerships ___Upside Down Fairy Tales and Nursery Rhymes
___Collaborative Relationships With Families of Infants ___Parent Partnerships
and Toddlers: Providers’ Perspective ___Art From the Start: The Development of Visual Art
___Classification vs. Seriation for Preschool Children
___From Message to Meaning: Shared reading ___Supporting Early Math
___Unlock the Power of Blocks ___Unlock the Power of Blocks
 Thank You to Our
Children Count Conference Sponsors

AEYC of the Palm Beaches

Advocacy, Professionalism, Quality

Thank You to Our

Professional Development Award Sponsors

Your Conference Planning Committee

Penny Urban …PBSC Jennifer Coleman …….FCI Shari Young ……..AEYCPB

Darcy Russo…..PBSC Iris Payne……………..FCI Gail Kressal……....FCI
Ilene Silber……PD2 Mirja Larsson…………FCI Aruna Gilbert……..ELC
Kathy Haight….PD2 Tatiana Rego………….FCI Chelsea Reinhart…ELC
Barry Miller…..FCI Alina Walker………….FCI Chelly Templeton ...PBA