ABC’s of Child Care Conference

Attack of the Snotterpillers

Strong relationships with the children are a cornerstone of any quality early learning environment. Creating and maintaining such relationships is hard work when times are good–and downright difficult when you’re stressed, exhausted, tired or being attacked by snoterpillars. This session looks at creating strong emotional environments, maintaining a healthy mindset, and the significance of child-caregiver relationships in building age-appropriate early learning environments.

Session A: Jeff Johnson
Empowering Child-Led Play

Children love to learn. Discover how to empower kids to grow from their interests and knowledge of the world. Explore what to include in your space, setup ideas, mess management, safety and more. Learn how to create reinvigorated, child-led, play spaces full of opportunities for creative and dramatic play to stimulate children’s imaginations and learning. 

Session B: Pam Northup
Creative Support Strategies for Developmental Concerns

Approaching parents with a concern about their child’s level of development is difficult, but often necessary. Understand how to identify red flags in child development like early indicators of autism. Gain basic strategies to support children for success including picture schedules, play routines, behavior and learning supports and more.

Session C: Lori Reiner
Communication Skills in a COVID World

Recent societal changes have made effective communication skills even more important. Refresh and renew your skills to increase your interaction effectiveness. Understand the different types of communication, including verbal, facial expression, body language and intonation. Explore positive communication traits and how COVID-19 has impacted social emotional learning, and how to use communication skills for conflict resolution through active listening and the four agreements.

Session D: Sharon Hueftle
Working On Your Business vs Working In Your Business

Have you mastered the daily care of children but need help with the bigger picture of a childcare business? Learn the importance of your career choice in economic development, how to treat your childcare like a business while also caring for yourself, and resources available to you. 

Session A: Jeff Johnson
Do-It-Yourself Early Learning and STEM Play

Get a hands-on look at dozens of ideas for using easy-to-find materials from local stores or your recycling bin to promote child-directed play, exploration, discovery and learning. Develop a deeper understand of how children learn about science, technology, engineering, math, and more through hands-on play and exploration.

Session B: Pam Northup
Creative Support Strategies for Developmental Concerns

Repeat of morning session

Session C: Lori Reiner
Communication Skills in a COVID World

Repeat of morning session

Jeff Johnson
Cows in the Basement

The early years should be full of whimsical fantasy play, yet in many classrooms time for such play is limited as more and more time is devoted to teacher-led activities. This session looks at why children should have plenty of time for self-directed fantasy and imaginative play, creative storytelling, and make believe and offers up tips for supporting such play.

Jeff A Johnson, Early Learning Speaker, Author and Advocate: Jeff is the founder of Playvolution HQ, an online home for original and curated early learning content. He has traveled across the United States, Canada and Australia providing trainings since 2000. In addition, he offers live and on-demand sessions online. He created the podcast, The Child Care Bar and Grill, and hosts and produces early learning podcasts featuring popular authors such as Lisa Murphy, Heather Shumaker, Angela Hanscom, Mike Huber and Dan Hodgins.

Pam Northrup worked as an early childhood special education teacher and consultant for 35 years. She has also served as a presenter for state and regional autism teams. She earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood special education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and her master’s degree from Doane College in curriculum and instruction. Pam currently works for Central Community College as an instructor and supervisor for the early childhood practicum courses.

Lori Reiner is a licensed mental health practitioner and certified social worker. She was the social work director at Phelps Memorial Health Center for 12 years and had a private counseling practice for 30 years. She is currently the foundation/public relations director at Holdrege Memorial Homes and a community educator for the Alzheimer’s Association. Lori is married to Dr. Richard Reiner, and they have four adult children and nine grandchildren. 

Sharon Hueftle is the executive director of South Central Nebraska Economic Development District, Inc. which serves 85+ communities. She has 25+ years of experience in business and economic development and earned her bachelor of science in business administration from the University of Nebraska-Kearney with an accounting emphasis. Sharon and her husband enjoy spending time with their kids and ten grandkids.