Wednesday, October 5 @ 8:00PM EST
Topic - Fun and Easy Ways to Incorporate "Math Talk" Into Your Classroom
Instructor - Teresa Gonczy, Guest Speaker
Synoposis - Research shows that early 'math talk', where teachers use math language during play and class activities, can support math readiness for young children. Math is all around us, and math talk is more than just counting. Educators will learn different types of 'math talk' to use in areas of their classroom and during routines. We’ll also discuss how we can vary our math talk based on children’s ages and ability levels. The examples used will range from ‘math talk’ for infants and toddlers to ‘math talk’ for preschool and kindergarten.
Wednesday, October 12 @ 12:00PM EST
Topic - The Skills You Need to Succeed in an Early Childhood Setting
Instructor - Nancy Moretti, Penn Foster Early Childhood and General Education Department Chair
Synopsis - Dependability, reliability, motivation, initiative, communication, commitment, creativity, problem solving, flexibility, teamwork, leadership, time management, and conflict resolutions are important skills in the workplace, and being able to demonstrate these skills can assist an early childhood professional in standing out in today’s competitive job market. In this session, Nancy Moretti will share the soft skills needed to be successful when working with children, families, and the community.
Monday, October 17 @ 10:00AM EST
Topic - Let Your Passion Guide You in Being a Successful Early Childhood Professional!
Instructor - Nancy Moretti, Penn Foster Early Childhood and General Education Department Chair
Synopsis - It is important to nurture your passions and maintain all dimensions of wellness in your life. It is important to remember what we are passionate about, keep those passions alive! When you are experiences troubles and stress, it is easy to forget those passions, but it is important to focus on your GOAL. Attend this session for tips to assist you during those tough times and to assist you in being successful in your career as an early childhood professional!
Monday, October 17 @ 12:00PM EST
Topic - Building Relationships with Families
Instructor - Dr. Tisha Shipley, Guest Speaker
Synopsis - Participants in this session will leave with new ideas on how to incorporate families into the classroom and how to build positive and reciprocal relationships.
Monday, October 17 @ 2:00PM EST
Topic - Which Boundaries and Rules Really Matter?
Instructor - Cindy Terebush, Guest Speaker
Synopsis - What is the difference between rules & boundaries and how can we best teach them? This presentation will define the difference between rules and boundaries, include a discussion of the three categories of reasonable boundaries and help those who work with 2-5 year olds to better teach lessons about behavior.
Monday, October 17th @ 4:00PM EST
Topic - Creation Stations
Instructor - Sarah Owens, Penn Foster
Synopsis - Join Sarah Owens in exploring the various learning centers of a preschool classroom. In this session, we will take a look at the importance of play as a teaching tool in early childhood education and how to develop learning centers to support play. We will also discuss the various skills that can be developed in each learning center and what basic materials should be provided to support development across the domains.
Monday, October 17 @ 6:00PM EST
Topic - Creating an Early Childhood Literacy Rich Environment
Instructor - Loretta Robinson, Guest Speaker
Synopsis - This webinar will exam the essentials of a literacy rich early childhood classroom environment. Participants will explore the types of print, books and set up a room should have to support early literacy skills. This session is most beneficial for teachers of children ages 2 and up.
Monday, October 17 @ 8:00PM EST
Instructor - Debra Pierce, Guest Speaker
Synopsis - Learn strategies for supporting teachers-in-training to develop the critical "soft skills" that enhance employability. We've all seen the deficits and it's time to do something about it! Learn how we can empower our teachers to uplift and represent themselves as members of the Early Childhood profession. Leave with new ideas for supporting critical professionalism skills.
Tuesday, October 18 @ 10:00AM EST
Instructor - Katie Walsh, Penn Foster
Synopsis - "Fall" for fun, play-based, hands-on, developmentally-appropriate STEM and STEAM lessons, games and learning experiences you and your child are sure to enjoy! Pumpkins, leaves, and acorns! Oh My! Join Katie Walsh for this fun, informal and informative session, and take-away easy and inexpensive ideas to implement in your home or school curriculum.
Tuesday, October 18 @ 12:00PM EST
Topic - Sensational Beginnings: Sensory and Motor Activities for Infants and Toddlers
Instructor - Margaret Schafer and Marilyn Bitsis, Guest Speakers
Synopsis - Discover how you can make a difference in the development of an infant or toddler by enhancing their sensory experiences. What you say and do really matter. We will demonstrate sensory and motor activities to encourage early learning.
Tuesday, October 18 @ 2:00PM EST
Topic - Social Emotional Development of Infants and Toddlers Within the Context of Relationships
Instructor - Camille Lachar-Lofaro, Guest Speaker
Synopsis - Please join Camille Lachar-Lofaro for a session that will focus on understanding how the social and emotional development of infants and toddlers serves as the foundation for all other areas of growth and development. The definition, description of skills, and strategies to support development will be covered using the Pyramid Model as a guide.
Tuesday, October 18 @ 4:00PM EST
Topic - Why do they Play all Day?
Instructor - Nancy Moretti, Penn Foster Early Childhood and General Education Department Chair
Synopsis - As early childhood educators we know that play is the best way for young children to learn the concepts, skills, and tasks. Furthermore, we know that play helps in building a solid foundation for later school and life success! Not all families know, understand, and appreciate that children are playing all day long. Join Nancy Moretti to learn why children play all day as well as tips for sharing the importance of this play with families.
Tuesday, October 18 @ 6:00PM EST
Topic - 5 Must-Have Classroom Management Skills for Preschool Teachers
Instructor - Nancy Moretti, Penn Foster Early Childhood and General Education Department Chair
Synopsis - Preschool teachers have plenty of responsibilities, from planning lessons to setting up the classroom to meeting parents. The ideal preschool teacher should have a creative mind, a passion for helping others, and dedication to every child, every day. Please join Nancy Moretti for an hour-long webinar to learn additional skills that every preschool teacher should have in order to be successful in a career as an early childhood professional!
Tuesday, October 18 @ 8:00PM EST
Instructor - Lea Phillips and Katie Walsh, Penn Foster
Synopsis - Please join this conversation with Katie Walsh and Lea Phillips as Lea shares experiences, affirmation, and tips trying to keep a positive attitude to assist you during the job search, in the workplace, and in other arenas of life. It's sometimes challenging to maintain a positive outlook in the day-to-day work of an early childhood profession, but we're prepared to support you with our tips and techniques.
Wednesday, October 19 @ 10:00AM EST
Topic - Child Engagement in Play and Learning as an Indicator of Program Quality
Instructor - Alan Guttman, Guest Speaker
Synopsis - Monitoring protocols and quality rating systems focus primarily on a program's physical environment and structure; adult-child interactions; staff qualifications; care and education practices; and child outcomes. This workshop will consider the importance of child engagement in learning as an indicator of program quality. In this interactive session participants will learn how to define and identify the types and quality of a child's engagement with adults, peers, play activities and instructional tasks. Typical classroom activities will be analyzed and discussed to broaden and deepen participant understanding of how best to support and promote high quality child engagement in learning.
Wednesday, October 19 @ 12:00PM EST
Topic - Ideas and Techniques to Rock that Job Interview
Instructor - Diane Placidi and Katie Walsh, Penn Foster
Synopsis - During this session, Diane Placidi will reviewing how to prepare, dress and present yourself, answer difficult questions, phone interviews, and more. At the end of the session, the forum will be open up the forum for questions and answers and here Katie Walsh will then join in the discussion.
Wednesday, October 19 @ 2:00PM EST
Topic - Read Your World
Instructor - Tamika Phillips, Guest Speaker
Synopsis - Children are active, contemporary participants in their diverse environments and have a natural capacity to live, learn and play in the rich diversity of the human experience. Literacy is a FANTASTIC way to build on a child's natural abilities and curiosity about their world. In this session, participants will explore diversity through the magical world of literacy.
Wednesday, October 19 @ 4:00PM EST
Topic - Classroom Management
Instructor - Sarah Owens, Penn Foster
Synopsis - Join Sarah Owens in exploring what classroom management is and how to successfully implement it into your classroom. In this session, we will explore the different components of "classroom management" including room arrangement, classroom rules, guidance and discipline strategies, and routines and schedules. We will also take a look at some great ideas to implement into your classroom to help you be successful with classroom management.
Wednesday, October 19 @ 6:00PM EST
Instructor - Katie Walsh, Penn Foster
Synopsis - Are you comfortable identifying yourself as a "leader" in the field of early childhood education? Is this a title you're hoping to one day earn, but don't yet believe you're deserving of? What makes someone a leader? In our conversation, we'll consider the differences between being a Boss versus a Leader. We'll explore ways to drive change and make a positive impact. We'll also examine simple strategies you can use to develop your own inherent strengths and leadership potential as an early childhood professional.
Wednesday, October 19 @ 8:00PM EST
Topic - Professionalism in the Workplace
Instructor - Tina Krawcyk, Penn Foster
Synopsis - Join Penn Foster instructor Tina Krawcyk as she outlines outline acceptable dress as well as behavior in person, on email, on the telephone. Also discussed will be acceptable behavior with other students as well as faculty, staff, administration and parents. Tina will support her presentation with school law, court cases and statistics.
Thursday, October 20 @ 10:00AM EST
Topic - Growth and Development and Identifying Delays
Instructor - Dr. Sherry Pietrzykoski, Penn Foster
Synopsis - As we know not all children start life on equal footing. Environmental influences caused in womb (mom's poor nutrition, drug, alcohol, and cigarette consumption or exposure to illness) can cause lasting effects on an unborn child. If the child is lucky enough to be born healthy other issues such as childhood diseases, unintentional exposure to contaminants, childhood stressors, and undiagnosed genetic issues can cause physical and mental health issues in children.
Thursday, October 20 @ 12:00PM EST
Topic - Resume and Cover Letters That Will Make You Shine!
Instructor - Krystal Marsh, Penn Foster
Synopsis - A successful resume and cover letter are key components to getting that interview. These materials are how you will make your first impression to a potential employer-- so it's important to take the time to understand how resumes and cover letters work and how you can create your own using your own skills and your own voice. Join us to learn how to write resumes and cover letters that will make you shine!
Thursday, October 20 @ 2:00PM EST
Topic - Using Social Media to Reach Students, Family, and the Community
Instructor - Dr. Tisha Shipley, Guest Speaker
Synopsis - In this presentation attendees will learn the importance of thinking outside the box and beginning to use social media to reach families. Through this presentation Dr. Shipley will share ideas on how to better involve families in the classroom and how to build a successful home school relationship.
Thursday, October 20 @ 4:00PM EST
Topic - Incorporating Social Studies Thinking into the Preschool Classroom
Instructor - Sarah Owens, Penn Foster
Synopsis - Incorporating social studies thinking into the preschool setting can be a difficult task that can be unintentionally overlooked by early childhood educators. Teachers often don't know where to begin or how to really teach social studies concepts to 3 to 5 year old children. In this session, we will explore what social studies thinking looks like in the preschool classroom and how to successfully and regularly incorporate it into your lesson plans.
Thursday, October 20 @ 6:00PM EST
Instructor - Betsy Reichart, Penn Foster
Synopsis - Child care centers and preschools often have limited budgets. It is not uncommon to find that a center has a limited budget of only $20.00 per teacher per month to spend on books and learning resources. Find out how to use libraries, government agencies, conferences, retailers, etc. to enhance your resources and pay NOTHING or very little to do so.
Thursday, October 20 @ 8:00PM EST
Topic - Entering the Field of Education, Particularly Special Education: What do I Need to Know?
Instructor - Renelle Thermidor, Guest Speaker
Synopsis - Preparing student teachers for a career in the area of Special Education, specifically in the area of best practice based on actual teaching experience. Participants will have a clear understanding of what to expect in a classroom with special needs students and the best possible managements in the classroom. The participant will also get clear understanding of being effective with students across all eligibilities in special education.
Friday, October 21 @ 12:00PM EST
Instructor - Katie Walsh, Penn Foster
Synopsis - Katie Walsh is back again with even more imaginative, safe, and easy ideas to support her mantra: "If It's Free, It's for ECE!" Classroom budgets are limited, so we will examine ways to stretch our resources while teaching kids to think "outside the box", (and bag, bottle...) Updated from a previous webinar, join this session this creative conversation, imaginative images, bring your own tried-and-true techniques, and leave with innovative ideas!
Friday, October 21 @ 2:00PM EST
Topic - Sowing the Seeds of Inquiry: Information Literacy in Early Childhood Education
Instructor - Betsy Reichart, Penn Foster
Synopsis - Information Literacy in Early Childhood Education has been described as the "Missing Link". Information Literacy and Literacy are often confused terms. Though related, Information Literacy is a distinct concept unto itself. Technology, inquiry and discernment play an important role. Join us to find out how and why.
Friday, October 21 @ 2;00PM EST
Topic - First Impressions: Put Your Best Foot Forward
Instructor - Nancy Moretti, Penn Foster Early Childhood and General Education Department Chair
Synopsis - Starting a career in the field of ECE is both rewarding and challenging! Through your coursework and personal experience, you may have discovered knowledge and skills for working with children, but what about working with other teachers? First impressions are powerful, so please join Nancy Moretti to learn how to put your best foot forward.
Friday, October 21 @ 2:00PM EST
Topic - Parent Parties
Instructor - Dr. Tisha Shipley, Guest Speaker
Synopsis - It is important to get families excited about collaborating and building a home school connection with you and during this session, attendees will learn how to engage families in Parent Parties.
Friday, October 21 @ 8:00PM EST
Topic - Twenty Tips for Developing Positive Relationships with Families
Instructor - Nancy Moretti, Penn Foster Early Childhood and General Education Department Chair
Synopsis - If you’ve only spent a few moments in a childcare center, you know that Early Childhood Educators are BUSY people! We are juggling caring for children with teaching them. In our busy days it is easy to forget about families, in this session you will learn 20 simple steps to developing positive relationships!
Tuesday, October 25 @ 6:00PM EST
Topic - Building a Protective Environment for Children
Instructor - Michael Pecic, Guest Speaker
Synopsis - This is our innovative signature Child Protection course that delivers essential lessons for the early years professional and is easily incorporated in the EYLF. It is designed to assist professionals to embed practical preventative child protection strategies into their daily lives, and the lives of all our children. A fresh approach to Child Protection that really works – right in front of your eyes – every day! You will learn the 7 Steps 2 Safety and appreciate the way they not only protect children, but transform your relationship with them.