2014 Early Childhood Conference
Peaceful Child, Peaceful Adult, Peaceful World
Educating For a More Peaceful World
SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2014 – 7:30 A.M. TO 4 P.M.
University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Ullsvik Hall
Register now – space is limited in the break-out sessions!
Register online www.uwplatt.edu/continuing/early-childhood-conference
Welcome
Your work with children is so important not only for the future of our children, but for the future of our
world. The children that we care for and educate today, will be the leaders of tomorrow. How can we educate
children with the values of love, compassion, justice, and forgiveness? We will spend the day connecting with
experts in the field and we will learn new ways to help children to be more peaceful.
We have wonderful featured speakers and then you can choose from 33 other break-out workshop sessions
focusing a variety of topics in the early childhood care and education field.
This will be a day to relax, rejuvenate, and be inspired with new ideas for your work with children. We hope to
see you soon!
2014 Conference Schedule
7:30 a.m.
7:30-8:15 a.m.
8:15-9:30 a.m.
9:30-10:45 a.m.
11 a.m.-Noon
Noon-1 p.m.
1-2:15 p.m.
2:30-3:45 p.m.
3:45-4 p.m.
Exhibits Open - Resources, materials, and books
Registration and refreshments
Welcome and announcements- Keynote Address- Kim Ratz
Session A workshops
Lunch and exhibits
General Session - Carol Noddings-Eichinger
Session B workshops
Session C workshops
Door Prizes, exhibits, and evaluations
The conference will be held in Ullsvik Hall on the UW-Platteville campus
Featured SpeakersKim Ratz will start our day with an inspirational keynote address about how to deal with challenge and change with
positivity and how to take time to celebrate the positive difference that you make in the lives of children and families.
"It's not so much what happens, it's more what you do." Easier said than done, especially when you face a change,
challenge or conflict regarding someone or something important to you. Its about choosing to do more than "just get
by"; you need to choose to "thrive!" It's about making good choices so that at the end of the day when you look back on
your choices - what you did/said and how you did/said it - you feel content, not regret. It's about being Congruent, by
aligning your Attitudes (beliefs & values), with your Aptitudes (skills & abilities) and your Actions (words & deeds). By
living congruently you can look back on your day and know you did what you thought was the right/best thing, and you
did the best you could. What more could you or anyone ask?!” – Kim Ratz
Carol Noddings Eichinger, the Program Director for Early Childhood and Education Professional Development for
the Waisman Center at the University of Wisconsin, will lead us through and exploration of how we can use reflective
practices and mindfulness as supports to our work with children.
“I am a great champion of reflective supervision and mindful practices for the benefit of the hard-working
professionals who work very closely with families and children within their own homes. The complexity of this
work as professionals valiantly hold these "mamas" so they can in turn "hold their babies" always humbles me,
and whatever we can offer to also hold these professionals in this parallel practice benefits all.”- Carol
Noddings Eichinger
Chan Chau Nghiem
Sr. Jewel- Chan Chau Nghiem, is the editor of the new book, Mindfulness with Children, by Thich Nhat Hahn, the famous
author, poet and peace activist. She will join us live, via the Internet from the Plum Village Monastery in France to talk
about how to teach peace and empathy.
Quotes to fit in anywhere on the brochure…
“If we are to achieve real peace in the world, we must first start with the children” -Ghandi
“My hope and wish is that one day, formal education will pay attention to what I call education of the heart.
Just as we take for granted the need to acquire proficiency in the basic academic subjects, I am hopeful that a
time will come when we can take it for granted that children will learn, as part of the curriculum, the
indispensability of inner values: love, compassion, justice, and forgiveness.” -The Dalai Lama
“Peace begins with a smile."- Mother Theresa
"I believe every human mind feels pleasure in doing good to another."- Thomas Jefferson
2014 Advisory Team
Carol Lange
Early Childhood Advocate
Gail Pitzen
Family Child Care Program
Dr. Wonim Son
UW-Platteville School of Education
Julie Walter
Family Connections of Southwest Wisconsin
Kathy Iselin
Early Childhood Advocate
Julie Soja
UW-Platteville Children’s Center
Linda Doser
UW-Platteville School of Education
Kerie Wedige
UW-Platteville Office of Continuing Education
Marian Maciej-Hiner UW-Platteville Office of Continuing Education
Chenoa Ruecking UW-Platteville Office of Continuing Education
General Information
Date, Time and Location
Saturday, March 8, 2014 – 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Ullsvik Hall
Fees
•
$60 for early childhood advocate ($70 after Feb. 21)
•
$35 for early childhood full-time students ($45 after Feb. 21)
Fees include registration, materials, box lunch and refreshments for breaks.
Registration –
•
Online - Go to http://www3.uwplatt.edu/continuing/early-childhood-conference
Confirmation of your registration will be sent by e-mail immediately after online registration.
Contact us at 608-342-1314 if you have any trouble registering online.
Payment
Payment is due at the time of registration. Your registration will be
processed, and you will be assigned to available workshops, when your
payment is received.
Workshops are limited – register early!
Refund/Cancellation Policy
Cancellations received by Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014 will receive a refund minus a $10 fee. Notification must be during
business hours: 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
No refunds on/after Friday, Feb. 21, 2014. Substitutions are allowed.
Register by Feb. 21, 2014 to be eligible for the door prizes.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Educators may receive a certificate for 0.6 Continuing Education Units ( CEUs) for participating in the conference. A $3
processing fee is due upon certificate request.
UW-Platteville Credit Option
Educators may earn one UW-Platteville credit for participating in the conference and completing additional coursework.
Request credit materials when registering. In addition to the conference fee, UW-Platteville tuition and fees apply.
- I Graduate Credit $439.47
- 1 Undergraduate Credit $277.43
Contact Us
Toll Free at 1-888-281-9472 or 608-342-1314
www.uwplatt.edu/continuing
The New Afterschool and Youth Development Credential
- starting April 14, 2014
Do you work with school-age youth in an out-of-school program? The informal learning environment of an
afterschool program, summer camp, or club is a unique opportunity for children to have fun while learning,
and it an opportunity for you to make the difference in the life of a child. Learn to be a leader in the
afterschool field and how to be a great mentor and teacher for the children in your care. Gain the skills and
strategies to guide children in a group setting and how to use positive guidance to overcome challenging
behavior.
For more information or to request a registration form please contact Chenoa Ruecking at
rueckingc@uwplatt.edu, 608.342.1315, or visit our website,
http://www3.uwplatt.edu/continuing/afterschool-and-youth-development-credential
Earn a Credential and increase your registry level!
The University of Wisconsin-Platteville offers all of the Registry Child Care Credentials completely online.
Educating and more importantly caring for children is the most important work anyone can do. The children
are our future leaders and it is up to us to make sure that they are given every opportunity to develop to their
full potential. In order for us to give children every opportunity, we must take the opportunity to continue our
education. You can become a master teacher and leader in the field, you can give the best to the children in
your care. We are here to help.
For more information or to request a registration form please contact Chenoa Ruecking at
rueckingc@uwplatt.edu, 608.342.1315, or visit our website,
http://www.uwplatt.edu/continuing/child-care
Key: Adult Education (AED), Guidance (GUI), Child Development (DEV), Regulatory Policy and Standards (REG),
Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP), Safe and Healthy Environment (SAF), Marketing (MAR), Finance (FIN),
Cultural & Individual Diversity (DIV), Professionalism (PRF), Family Relationships (FAM), Personnel Management (PER),
Special Needs(SPC)
Workshop GridSession A: 9:30-10:45 a.m.
Session B: 1:00-2:15 p.m.
Session C: 2:30-3:45 p.m.
A1
"Practicing Mindfulness" Finding ways to reduce stress for staff and children
Adults who practice mindfulness with children have happier, more optimistic staff and children. This session will provide
you with creative ways to incorporate mindful activities that will help children and staff reduce stress. (DIV)
Megan Piper
YoungStar Technical Consultant-
Family Connections of SW Wisconsin
Birth-2 years
3-6 years
A2
Communication between Administrators and Staff
Do you feel that not all information gets relayed to your entire staff? Do you have that one staff member that claims
they didn't get the memo? We will show you real strategies for effectively communicating with your staff. You will find
that no matter how busy you are, you will be able to get the message out! This workshop is appropriate for programs of
all sizes, in-home programs and centers. (PER)
Esther Meuer
Lead Teacher
A3
The Little Cottage, Inc. Birth-2 years
3-6 years
7 years and up
Social Emotional Academic Learning using American Sign Language
Everyone can enjoy the use of American Sign Language in any childcare or home setting. Come learn a series of easy-touse, ready-to-move, activities that you can use in your classroom or home setting. (DEV)
Beth R. Wyatt
Training Coordinator, Time to Sign, Inc. Time to Sign Inc.
A4
Birth-2 years
How to Encourage More Father Involvement
3-6 years
We will discuss the "Whys & Hows" about the differences between how most mothers and fathers
approach parenting, some of the unique contributions that dads bring to parenting, and strategies to
communicate with and engage fathers. (FAM)
Kim Ratz
Speaker, Trainer, Troubadour, Author
Birth-2 years
A5
3-6 years
Minnetonka, MN
7 years and up
Nature: The Missing Piece
Join naturalists from the Aldo Leopold Nature Center to learn and practice tips and techniques about exploring nature
with young children. We'll give you ideas and hand-outs on age appropriate hands-on outdoor activities for exploring
nature. (DAP)
Tara Von Dollen
Naturalist
Aldo Leopold Nature Center
3-6 years
A6
Engaging Families Around the WMELS
This interactive workshop will explain how to introduce the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS) to
families and help families spend purposeful time supporting their children’s development. Participants in this session
must have attended the 15 hour WMELS training prior to this session.(FAM)
Bridget Cullen
Program and Policy Analyst
WI DCF
3-6 years
Bridget Cullen YoungStar Updates for 2014
Representatives from the Bureau of Quality Improvement in the Department of Children and Families will provide
updates related to YoungStar. (REG)
Bridget Cullen
A7
Program and Policy Analyst
WI DCF
3-6 years
Help! Play time is out of control!
Is playtime a stressful time for you in your classroom? Come and dig deeper in to the Vytgotsky theory of play. This
session will focus on play planning, setting up dramatic play centers that reinforce skills phonemic awareness, social and
emotional skills and increase student self-regulation.(DEV)
Laura Rhode
Kindergarten Teacher
A8.
Dodgeville School District
Six Questions Worth Asking about a Child's POV (point of view)
3-6 years
When a child’s actions are too big or confusing we sometimes take action to “make it stop” or question the child’s
continuation in a program. By asking six questions, teachers, parents and others in the life of a child can respectfully
guess about the child's POV and what s/he might be asserting by her/his actions. (DIV)
Mark Sweet PhD
and up
A9
Trainer & Consultant
Disability Rights Wisconsin
3-6 years
7 years
Exciting Environmental Experiences-1
Experience the hands-on learning from Project learning tree's Early Childhood curriculum. A Curriculum designed to
encourage students to learn about the natural world. If you attend both workshops you will receive a Youngstar
certificate and a copy of the curriculum for free!(thanks to a gift from the Troudt family through the Natural Resources
Foundation of WI).
Christine Kuntz
Outreach Specialist
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
3-6 years
Outreach Specialist
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
3-6 years
Development
A10
Child Development
Child
Thank Goodness, Help Is On the Way!
Join us for this interactive session for child care directors, staff, and school district personnel to understand the process
from quality universal education to special education service delivery and ideas to strengthen and improve relationships
between families, community partners and school districts. (DAP)
Sally Drenoske
years
A11
Early Childhood Special Education Teacher
Sun Prairie Area School District
3-6
A Glimpse at Play Planning
Are you interested in learning more about the importance of play and how it helps to foster self-regulation? Then this
seminar is for you. We will show you that through "play planning" children play with a purpose while developing literacy
and self-regulation skills. (DEV)
Jodi Halverson, Tina Roth and Kayla Schubert
years
B1
Lead Teachers UW-Platteville Children's Center
3-6
Virtual Home Visiting 101
Come learn about this exciting new facet of home visitation. Is it feasible to offer home visitation services virtually?
What does this mean? How does this work? Would it work for your program? Discover the answers to these questions
and more in this interactive Q and A session. (FAM)
Rachael Loucks
Ma Ed Indianhead Community Action Agency Birth-2 years
B2
Mindfulness with Children
Sr. Jewel, editor of the new book, Mindfulness with Children, by Thich Nhat Hahn, will join us live, via the Internet from
the Plum Village Monastery in France. Come learn how mindfulness and cooperative games teach empathy. (DAP)
Chan Chau Nghiem
Birth-2 years
B3
Editor Mindfulness with Children
3-6 years
7 years and up
Social Emotional Academic Learning using American Sign Language
Everyone can enjoy the use of American Sign Language in any childcare or home setting. Come learn a series of easy-touse, ready-to-move, activities that you can use in your classroom or home setting.
Beth R. Wyatt Training Coordinator, Time to Sign, Inc. Time to Sign Inc.
Child Development
B4
Kim Ratz
Birth-2 years
3-6 years
People Don't Leave Jobs - They Leave Bosses
If you are a center director or lead teacher, join us for this workshop to learn new supervision and
leadership skills.(PER)
Kim Ratz
Speaker, Trainer, Troubadour, Author
7 years and up
B5
Minnetonka, MN
Birth-2 years
3-6 years
Let It Begin With Me!
As child care providers, we all strive to have peaceful learning environments. We work hard to carefully plan the room
arrangement and activities to meet the children’s needs and yet the children are still hitting, shoving, calling names, etc.
Explore how we can create a tone of cooperation and harmony in our learning environments. Discover how you may
really let peace begin with you.(PRF)
Dawn Justman
B6
Director
Elcho School District
Birth-2 years
3-6 years
7 years and up
Bridget Cullen YoungStar Updates for 2014
Representatives from the Bureau of Quality Improvement in the Department of Children and Families will provide
updates related to YoungStar. (REG)
Bridget Cullen
3-6 years
Program and Policy Analyst
7 years and up
WI DCF Birth-2 years
B7
Do We Have to Work with Parents???
Answer---"You only need to work with those families whose children you want to succeed." Working with parents is like
a diet. Many have a “fit” vision---yet a major % fall short of intended goals. Educational expectations are for every child
to be a successful learner; reaching that outcome means we must PARTNER with families. (FAM)
Bev Schumacher
CEO Learning Props
B8
Learning Props L.L.C.
Birth-2 years
3-6 years
Make Transitions Fun with Portable Games
Transitions and circle times are challenging! Learn how to make these times fun with games that will capture the
children’s energy and attention.
Carrie Hubley and Kimberly Kroehler
Growth and Development Teachers
B9
Appleton YMCA
3-6 years
Exciting Environmental Experiences-2
Experience the hands-on learning from Project learning tree's Early Childhood curriculum. A Curriculum designed to
encourage students to learn about the natural world. If you attend both workshops you will receive a Youngstar
certificate and a copy of the curriculum for free!(thanks to a gift from the Troudt family through the Natural Resources
Foundation of WI). (DEV)
Christine Kuntz
Outreach Specialist
B10
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
3-6 years
Preventing Bulling From Taking Root: Fostering Empathy
Participants will learn how to identify bullying in ECE settings, why is important adults promptly and effectively
intervene, and basic strategies to modify potential bullying behaviors in caring and compassionate ways. (DAP)
Betzaida Vera-Heredia
ECE Reconceptualist Consultant Dane County
B11.
Birth-2 years
3-6 years Betzaida Vera-Heredia
Creating Financially Savvy Kids
This presentation is designed to help teachers and parents learn some effective strategies in conveying the complexity of
financial wellness to children. Participants will learn how to talk to children about goal setting and financial literacy.(FIN)
Scott Miller
Chief Operations Officer
WECA, WCCAA, WFCCA
7 years and up
C1
Relationships in Harmony
Working in an early child care program, learning happens continuously. Join an early educator and a mental health
clinician to learn how to enhance adult-child interactions in home, community, and clinical settings and create more
harmonious relationships and foster the healthy social-emotional development of infants and young children.(FAM)
Kathie Snitker-Magin, Med
Community Outreach Coordinator
3-6 years
C2
Wisconsin Alliance for Infant Mental Health
Birth-2 years
Oh, the Places We Go: Child Portfolio Basics
In this workshop, you will learn the purpose of the child portfolio and how the child portfolio can be used in your early
childhood setting.(DEV)
Jennifer Hughley
Scholarship counselor WECA Birth-2 years
C3
3-6 years
Teach Peace by Teaching Respect
Learn about the importance of the words you choose. Using words without judgment, especially in trying moments,
teaches children respect for themselves and each other.(DEV)
Leslie Leline
Lead Teacher
C4
Peninsula Preschool
3-6 years
Supporting Young Children's Speaking and Comprehension Using Technology
Join us to learn new ways that technology can be used to support young children’s developing language skills.(DAP)
Lindsay Hollingsworth
Miranda Bell
UW-Platteville
3-6 years
Undergraduate Student UW-Platteville
Brianna Huebner
C5
Professor
Undergraduate Student UW-Platteville
Keeping Eye Health & Safety in Sight
This presentation will teach participants how to take care of children’s sight, beginning at birth. Participants will become
familiar with common eye problems, learn to recognize their signs and symptoms, and learn to protect children’s eyes
from accidents!(SAF)
Jennifer Kessler
Community Health Education Manager Prevent Blindness Wisconsin
C6
Birth-2 years
3-6 years
7 years and up
Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Projects and Updates
A Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Grant was awarded to Wisconsin to support system building within early
childhood. Learn the details on a number of specific projects underway. (REG)
Amanda Besner
Race to the Top Program and Policy Supervisor Division of Children and Families
C7
Birth-2 years
3-6 years
Peaceful Indoor and Outdoor Classrooms
The classroom environment can contribute significantly to the behaviors of young children. In this session we will
examine various classroom spaces, and discuss how a carefully prepared environment can create a peaceful place for
learning. (SAF)
Rebecca Katzenmeyer
Directress, Toad Hill Montessori Madison, WI
C8
3-6 years
Understanding Dyslexia and Learning Disabilities; Early Indicators and Interventions
Gain a basic understanding of dyslexia and learning disabilities, dispel misconceptions, recognize early signs, and walk
away with handouts and inspiration for activities and intervention strategies to incorporate into you work with
children.(SPC)
Kim Carpenter
Erv Carpenter Co-Founders
WI Institute for Learning Disabilities/Dyslexia
3-6 years
C9
Nursery Rhyme Mathematics
We’re going beyond phonemics and rhyming! We are measuring, estimating, graphing and having fun. We will conclude
with a Nursery Rhyme Olympics! (DAP)
Terrie Schmoldt
Teacher
Evansville Community School District
3-6 years
C10
Prevención de Bullying: Fomentar la empatía- (workshop in Spanish)
Los participantes aprenderán a identificar el acoso en los programas de ECE, ¿por qué los adultos es importante
intervenir con prontitud y eficacia, y las estrategias básicas para modificar posibles comportamientos de intimidación
de manera humanitaria y compasiva.(DAP)
Betzaida Vera-Heredia
ECE Reconceptualist Consultant Dane County
Birth-2 years
3-6 years