Register Here

🌿 ​ Join us on Tuesday, April 29th, 2025, at 1:00 PM ET via Zoom, for our second ​Ready to Grow Gardening EC PD session, presented in collaboration with Purdue Extension and Unity Gardens!​ This FREE virtual session will continue our ongoing conversation about how to start, revitalize, or expand a garden at your early care and education program.

🌱 Learn practical steps to get started ​and more information about Gardening Activities with Young Children.
🌱 Learn more about which plants to grow (produce and flowers), planting times and spacing in garden beds.
🌱 Get your Questions Answered while connecting with other early educators.

🌻 Who Should Attend?
Early educators and program leaders in St. Joseph County, Indiana, working with children ages 2-5 in early care and learning programs. Whether you're new to gardening, an experienced gardener, or somewhere in between, this session will offer practical guidance, inspiration, and discussion to ​facilitate gardening in your early care and learning setting.

Also welcome: Early educators, program leaders, parents, EC partners, stakeholders, and EC champions beyond St. Joseph County who are interested in this topic!

🌿 ​If you weren't able to attend March 24th Session 1, please do consider joining Session 2 - 4! This session is part of a 4 part gardening series that began on March 20th. Attending 3 of the 4 sessions (3 of the March - June sessions is required for the RTG Mini Grant, which is due date April 14th. 

Access grant application and slidedeck from March 24th here.

Event Details

📅 Date & Time: Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 1:00 PM (ET)

🔗 Zoom Link will be provided prior to the session.

💡​ 1 Hour Training Certificate Provided after the Session

🌻 Access the resource materials, slidedeck and mini-grant application from March 24th Session 1 here

Cost: FREE, thanks to our generous sponsors!

❓ Questions? Contact Terri at tkosik@saintmarys.edu or 574-298-3353 (text or call)

We look forward to growing together! 🌿

🌱  "Every time we plant a seed or a seedling with a child, we foster curiosity, wonder, and the foundation for a lifelong love of nature"

The CASIE Center Presents: Mandated Reporter Training via Zoom on Monday, April 28, 2025, 1pm ET (Zoom) - More information & Registration Here

Did you know that early educators and program leaders/owners are mandated reporters and annual training about mandated reporting is required?

Find out more on April 28th at 1:00 PM (Free). Earn 1 hour of training.

A CPR class is scheduled in South Bend at Foundations @ Cleveland Rd, 1501 Cleveland Rd, SB 46628 on Saturday, April 19th, from 9 - 11 AM.

Cost: $45 per person (includes CPR for adults, infants, and children, First Aid, AED, and Universal Precautions).

Looking for a private class? Groups of 5+ people can schedule a private session at your location or at Foundations. Flexible scheduling available - day, evening, or Saturday sessions!

Schools & Programs: Some elementary schools opt for online training modules, followed by 1:1 skill verification during lunch—a great option for busy schedules!

Questions or ready to register? Contact Jennifer Paholak, Executive Director, Foundations: jennifer@foundations4ece.com / (574) 210-2802

Responsive caregiving is the cornerstone of positive development for infants and toddlers. It forms the basis for secure attachments, fosters emotional well-being, and promotes early cognitive and language growth. But how can early childhood educators effectively implement responsive caregiving practices in their daily interactions with our youngest learners? Teaching Strategies’ webinar will explore practical strategies for creating a nurturing environment that responds to each infant and toddler’s unique needs, cues, and rapidly changing developmental stages. Register Here

If you’re looking for inspiration to bring joyful math moments into children’s play and make this learning visible to families, this webinar is for you! Young children are curious about Math-related concepts and Math connects to every aspect of a developmentally appropriate practice in early learning. In this idea-filled session presented by experienced educator, researcher, and writer Deanna Pecaski McLennan, we’ll reimagine what math looks like in early childhood. You will explore ways to reinvigorate your practice with hands-on, integrated activities that excite and engage young learners based on Deanna’s real-life examples from her kindergarten classroom.

Discover how to create invitations for young children to explore math through art, literacy, and outdoor play. We’ll focus on designing learning spaces where children see themselves as mathematical thinkers, valuing their ideas in meaningful and authentic ways. Drawing from her extensive experience and her books, Deanna will inspire you to approach math with curiosity, take risks, experiment with new strategies, observe deeply, and collaborate with children as co-learners. Let’s transform the way we think about early math together!

Register Here

In this workshop you will:

• reflect upon your definition of math and where it can be found in the early childhood classroom

• explore stories, vignettes, and photos illustrating how educators can develop learning environments that foster curiosity and wonder in mathematics

• gather practical and easy to implement suggestions for how to invite children to engage in mathematical play throughout the day

• learn ways to document children’s experiences to make math learning visible to families and the greater community

Special Olympics Young Athletes is a free program that helps children ages 2–7 develop basic sports skills and social skills. The program is inclusive of children with and without intellectual disabilities.
What does the program teach? 

• Teaches basic sports skills like running, kicking, and throwing

• Helps children learn to play with others

• Helps children develop important skills for learning

• Helps children learn to share, take turns, and follow directions

• Helps children establish healthy habits

Where can the program be offered? 

• In parks, churches, school facilities, or recreation centers

• In pre-schools, early care and learning programs, or elementary schools

• At home

Event Details:  Register Here

📅 Date & Time: Wednesday, April 16th at 1:00 PM ET (virtual)
💻 Location: Virtual (Zoom link will be provided before the meeting)

Have Questions? Contact Terri at tkosik@saintmarys.edu or call/text 574-298-3353

Together, we can create a more active community where young children strengthen their muscles, bones, and brains while developing a lifelong love of movement for holistic development — fostering Active for Life! 💙

JOIN THIS FREE LIVE WEBINAR on Emergent Curriculum & Project-Based Learnin

This session will explore:

Defining Emergent Curriculum and Project-Based Learning

How learning happens with examples

This session will conclude with a LIVE Q&A!

Register Here l FREE

🌟 Celebrating Our Early Childhood Community in St. Joseph County! 🌟

✨ Join us for a special evening of celebration and gratitude! ✨ Enjoy a delicious and relaxful dinner with your early childhood friends and colleagues as we honor the dedicated early childhood professionals that make up our wonderful EC community in St. Joseph County. We are eager to celebrate your hard work and dedication!

Who should attend? You! The St. Joseph County Early Childhood Community: early educators, program leadership/owners, coaches, trainers, and advocates, including those who support the important work of early care and learning programs!  Early Educators, Program Leaders and Owners, Trainers, Coaches, Advocates and all supporting the important work of EC in St. Joseph County.  Bring your team!

✨ This event is FREE!  Register here by April 4th at noon

Event Confirmations will be provided the afternoon of April 4th, if not sooner.

📅 Date: Thursday, April 10th, 2025. Come as you are! We know most of you will be arriving after a joyful (and busy!) day with young children, so casual attire is encouraged—no need to dress up!
🍽 Dinner & Program: 6:00 – 7:30 PM (Please arrive by 5:45 PM, if possible)
📍 Location: Rice Commons, Saint Mary’s College - Please note that the lovely Rice Commons is located inside the Student Center at Saint Mary’s College. Please park in the Student Center Lot.  GPS link to Location.

🎁 Surprises & Raffle Prizes
Exciting giveaways await—don’t miss out!

Dinner Menu:

🍽 A Delicious Dinner Catered by Allie’s Catering - Enjoy a thoughtfully prepared meal, including:

• Meatless Lasagna

• Baked Meat Ziti

• Grilled Chicken Salad or Just Salad

• Roasted Cauliflower Medley

• Rolls & Butter

• Assorted Pies 🍰

• Coffee, Lemonade, & Water

Co-hosted by the Northern Region Chapter of INAEYC & Ready to Grow St. Joe

We hope you'll be part of this special gathering for our beloved early childhood community!

This FREE webinar is happening on April 10, at 2 PM EST. Register Here

Imagine designing inspiring spaces where every child can participate and thrive. A space that is inviting and usable, for children of all backgrounds and abilities.

Miriam Beloglovsky, educator, author, and advocate for early childhood education, will share an inclusive classroom design framework in her upcoming webinar, Creating Empathic and Inclusive Spaces Where Every Child Belongs. This webinar will help you create classroom environments where all children feel a sense of belonging and are valued members of the learning and growth that takes place on a daily basis.

Engaging Institutional Leadership for Natured-Based Strategies Engaging local leaders to champion your community's nature-based efforts is critical. Learn how to secure leadership buy-in.

April 9th, 4:00 - 5:00 PM l FREE l Virtual

This capacity-building event is part of the Nature Everywhere Communities initiative, a joint partnership between The Children & Nature Network, National League of Cities and KABOOM! to increase equitable access to nature everywhere children live, learn and play in 100 U.S. communities by 2025.

Who should attend? Anyone looking to increase children’s access to nature in their community or looking for opportunities to receive recognition for their efforts on a national scale. If you’re unsure about how your local goals may align with the Action Challenge, or aren’t sure if your cross-sector team is eligible, contact Christian Alvarado at christian@childrenandnature.org.

Learn more about the Action Challenge and how to register at www.childrenandnature.org/nature-everywhere-action-challenge.

If you can’t join live, go ahead and register for the event, and a recording will be sent to your inbox approximately two weeks after the event.

REGISTER HERE

A Strengths-Based Approach to Transforming Your Program, Classroom by Classroom

April 9, 2025 |  2 PM Eastern Time l FREE l Register Here

Ready to shift your focus from problems to possibilities? In this engaging webinar with author and expert trainer Ellen Drolette, explore how to use Appreciative Inquiry to spark meaningful change. Learn to analyze what’s working in your classroom or program, create strategies that turn challenges into opportunities, and evaluate the impact of a strengths-based mindset on your teaching, resilience, and relationships. Walk away with practical tools and a renewed sense of purpose—ready to build on success and re-imagine what’s possible for children, families, and communities.

Register Here

Supporting Children’s Social-Emotional Learning Through Play

Join to experience real-life examples from play therapy and classroom settings that teach us about emotional safety, trust, resilience, and the importance of the teacher-child relationship as the foundation for social-emotional learning. Video examples of adult interaction skills will be shared to demonstrate how to use play to support children’s communication and expression, establish a safe and secure adult-child relationship, empower children with a sense of control, help them manage strong feelings, acquire new social skills, and manage challenging behaviors through play. The session will include Zoom audience participation to practice setting limits on Christian’s play behavior, in the moment!

Register Here

Play is essential for children’s development, but how do we truly facilitate it in today’s world? In the wake of the pandemic, many children are struggling to reconnect with the power of play.

In this insightful webinar, we’ll explore how to create meaningful spaces for play and harness its potential to support learning, emotional well-being, and overall development. From fostering creativity to building resilience, we’ll dive into practical strategies that empower kids and early childhood educators to rediscover the joy of play.

Register Here

Join us on April 3, 2025, for Putting The Power Back in Play, featuring:

-Kathy Hirsh-Pasek - Professor of Psychology at Temple University, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, and Visiting Professor at Oxford University

-Anthony (Ant) Toombs Sr. - Trauma Counselor and Founding Member, Growth & Expansion Strategist with The Life is Good Playmaker Project (LiGPP)

-Robin Meisner, Ph.D. - Senior Director, Exhibits and Research, Boston Children’s Museum

-Hosted by Dr. Valora Washington – CEO and President, The CAYL Institute

As an early educator or school leader, you know how important early literacy is. You also know how overwhelming it can feel to navigate the sea of products, each promising to build a different skill such as phonics or vocabulary, often without showing the full picture.

Register Here

What do young children truly need, and when? How do we ensure that each piece fits into a meaningful, developmentally appropriate path toward lifelong reading success?

At Teaching Strategies, we created Kickstart Literacy — our new literacy curriculum for pre-K grounded in the science of reading — to offer explicit literacy instruction with a clear, research-informed scope and sequence. Children build foundational skills through play and purposeful practice, in the ways that they learn best.

Join our early literacy and language experts for a rich, research-driven conversation on

• the power of play- and practice-based experiences in supporting phonemic awareness and early phonics,

• the right scope of early phonics instruction in pre-K to set children up for kindergarten success,

• the most effective ways to introduce children to phonemes and their corresponding letters with joy and intention, and

• how spiraled instruction helps children revisit and deepen their understanding of literacy concepts.

Come away with insights you can apply right away and a renewed confidence in guiding children’s literacy journey from the very beginning.

The session will be followed by a live Q&A. Register Here

The FREE webinar is happening on March 27, at 2 PM EST.  Register Here

Within any given infant classroom, you will see children display a myriad of  developmental milestones. Some are just learning to roll over or sit up, others are able to crawl and scoot around the room. With all of these developmental differences, how do you create a classroom environment that accommodates and supports every child?    

 Dr. Sandra Duncan, International Specialist in Classroom Design and author, will share three simple strategies to help you solve this problem in her upcoming webinar, An Intentional Approach to Designing Infant Classrooms. This webinar will help you design an intentional infant classroom space that creates enriching visual, sensory, and physical experiences for all.  

The FREE webinar is happening on March 27, at 2 PM EST.  Register Here

And, when you attend the webinar, you will also receive a free CE credit.  

 We can’t wait to see you there! 

Registration Here

  ​Join on March 24th, 1:00 PM via Zoom for our first ​Ready to Grow Gardening Early Childhood Professional Development session, presented in collaboration with Purdue Extension and Unity Gardens!​ This FREE virtual session will explore how to start, revitalize, or expand a garden at your program. Information and resources about garden beds and container gardening with young children ages 2 - 5 will be shared.

🌱 This event marks the launch of Ready to Grow’s Health, Nutrition​ & Movement ​Initiative supporting early educators and program leadership in creating enriching outdoor and nature learning experiences​ while fostering holistic development. Earn 1 hour of training. 

🌻 Please note - If youou registered with the QR code from the Event poster, please also register with RTG Here as it provides information for training certificates, info for final grant reports and info for future funding. Thank you!

🌿  "Every time we plant a seed or a seedling with a child, we foster curiosity, wonder, and the foundation for a lifelong love of nature"

Growing Resilient Children; The Garden as a Non-Judgmental Teacher

Growing Resilient Children; The Garden as a Non-Judgmental Teacher Description: Gardens are more than places to grow food and flowers; they are outdoor classrooms, places of hope, connection, and inspiration, places where children learn compassion, communication, and essential early life skills. A garden’s very nature encourages children to slow down, listen deeply, and simply ‘touch the earth.’ Join staff from Denver Urban Gardens (DUG) to learn more about our Therapeutic Garden and Youth Education Programs. Participants will receive tried-and-true tips for teaching in the garden and activities that encourage personal and interpersonal growth and success.

Register Here

2025 RTG Annual Community Meeting via Zoom: March 20, 2025 @ 1:00 PM

RSVP Here - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJfH3kwk6j1vXkYfJwGHyYRwtaxQ4cEYrUaRyYyxZQasvpYQ/viewform?usp=dialog

Agenda:

1:00 – 1:15 PM | Welcome, RTG Recap & Looking Ahead
1:15 – 1:30 PM | The Lourie Center & TIPS ECHO Pilot
1:30 – 1:40 PM | Talk with Your Baby
1:40 – 1:50 PM | Special Olympics – Young Athletes
1:50 – 2:00 PM | Open Discussion: What’s Working & Support Needed for Families & Early Educators

Community Meetings are a great way to hear about the state of early childhood on a local, statewide and national scope. Community partners across sectors come together annually to learn from one another, share updates and build a stronger network of support for the families in St. Joseph County. 

FREE Virtual Webinar l Register Here l Register to receive a link if you are unable to attend the live session.

Join this insightful session to discover the nine temperament traits that are present from birth. Explore the link between some of the most perplexing traits in group settings and discover helpful strategies for reducing the behaviors that may present challenges for adults. You will learn methods to support all children to flourish in your caregiving setting.

In this dynamic and strategic webinar, presented by experienced early childhood expert, Raelene Ostberg, you will:

• Identify nine different temperament traits that are typically present from birth

• “Consider how the mix of adult and child traits can fuel difficulty and increase stress for adult and child alike”

• Discover several strategies to adapt care to provide a good fit for children with high-intensity, high-persistence, and slow-to-warm traits.

Register Here

Instagram LIVE

Join Kids Gardening for an interview with children’s book author Janna Matthies as we discuss her new book, Over in the Garden! This gorgeous counting picture book is packed full of colorful plants, adorable gardeners, and the numbers one to ten.

Find us on Instagram on Tuesday, March 18, at 1pm ET!

Join Instagram Live Here

Your Role in Cultivating Psychological Safety in Early Care and Education Programs

It is the responsibility of a leader to create a culture where people can flourish. Whether you are the leader of an early care and education program or the leader of a team within one, you hold the tools for cultivating an environment where candor and truth are welcome and the organization and individuals within it are on a path to learning and growth. When staff are afraid to speak up, offer opposing viewpoints, provide constructive feedback, make mistakes, and collaborate with colleagues, they suffer and the organization is stunted. Unfortunately, many leaders are unaware that staff are fearful.

FREE l Register HERE l If you register you will receive a link to the recording in the event you can’t attend.

Register Here Free

Description: In these LIVE storytimes, we will read wonderful garden-themed books with a social emotional focus and have a “show and tell” about interesting plants. Both teachers and students will love these interactive learning sessions! Spring is right around the corner and we are ready to get those gardens started! Are you? Join us to learn how to say hello to worms and other tiny garden friends and how to grow and enjoy the fruits of spring together.

• Story: How to Say Hello to a Worm by Kari Percival

• Sing Along: Spring Garden Song

• Handout: Springtime Learn and Play

2025 Spring Garden Storytime Presenters:

Noel Nicholas (she/her) is the educational content manager for KidsGardening, where she co-develops original educational materials designed to help kids play, learn, and grow through gardening. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing from University of Southern California, where she developed a passion for informal education while teaching poetry at 32nd Street School/USC Magnet. Prior to joining KidsGardening, Noel worked as museum educator at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, developing and delivering educational programs for diverse, multi-generational audiences, and managing the museum’s Storytime Live program. In her spare time she teaches in the school garden at Third Street Elementary in Los Angeles.

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 | 2:00 - 3:00p.m. ET
Free Virtual Webinar with Amazing Angela Searcy
Gain Practical Strategies for Navigating Challenging Conversations in Early Childhood Programs!

Register Here

Join this edWebinar to learn how to approach difficult conversations with confidence and positivity. Discover how to embrace differences and connect with families and colleagues effectively.

In this session, you will:

Get nonjudgmental, practical advice for managing conflicts with ease.

Explore strength-based, evidence-based techniques that promote professional growth and learning in your early childhood program.

Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your communication skills and build stronger partnerships! Register now to save your spot.

📚 The Science of Reading Meets Learning Science

🗓 Wednesday, March 12, 2025 | 🕐 1:00 p.m. ET
🔗 Register Now – Free Webinar! Register Here

Join for an insightful conversation with Natalie Wexler, author of Beyond the Science of Reading: Connecting Literacy Instruction to the Science of Learning.

In this must-attend webinar, you’ll:

✅ Gain a deeper understanding of why the Science of Reading must include building knowledge.

✅ Learn how reading and writing are interconnected—and their role in the Science of Learning.

✅ Discover how integrating reading, content-rich curriculum, and writing can help every student reach their full potential.

📖✨ Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your knowledge and elevate literacy instruction!

FREE l Virtual l Register and you will receive a link to the recording if you are unable to attend the live event. Register Here

Managing early childhood classrooms so they are peaceful and productive can sometimes feel overwhelming, leaving teachers and leaders searching for sustainable solutions. This strategy-rich webinar addresses these challenges by providing early care and education leaders with the tools to support staff in creating calmer, more positive learning environments.

Join this webinar which is designed specifically for early care and education leaders and supervisors who seek effective ways to support staff facing challenging classroom dynamics. Led by behavior coach Prerna Richards, the session goes beyond traditional behavior management, offering research-based coaching practices that leaders can use to encourage teachers to foster prosocial behaviors, cooperation, and self-regulation in children. Participants will learn actionable techniques that help teachers adopt a proactive, intentional approach, reducing reliance on reactive responses and creating a foundation for positive child development. The coaching framework includes three components: adopting a growth mindset, building meaningful relationships, and understanding brain states to influence behavior. By mastering these strategies, coaches can nurture a resilient, supportive team environment that boosts staff satisfaction, enhances program stability, and promotes lasting transformation in the classroom.

Register Here

Calling all who support young children and their families: Join us for a free webinar! We will shine a light on the most ordinary ways that you can support and strengthen the resilience of families…and with the help of a resilience-building parenting curriculum.

Grab your spot here 👉 https://ow.ly/9Hyo50UZLOW

Host - Devereux Center for Resilient Children

Webinar l FREE l Register to receive a recording link if unable to attend the live session.

Register Here

One of the most important steps you can take with families is to help them integrate into your program with an intentional, consistent, and complete onboarding process. Planning to prepare a step-by-step onboarding process that you can use every time you enroll new families will ensure you establish open communication, avoid misunderstandings, and establish policies. Your onboarding plan should individual and group meetings, family handbooks, and maybe even pairing new families with others who are more familiar with the program. Join this idea-packed webinar with early childhood program leadership expert, Evelyn Knight to learn how to create a replicable and comprehensive new family onboarding system that informs, educates, and welcomes families to your program.

In this session you will:

• Learn why it is so important to educate families why early childhood programs offer open-ended experiences and developmentally appropriate practices.

• Learn how to help newly enrolled families set realistic expectations about your program and understand child care industry standards.

• Develop tools to create a family orientation that will alleviate common potential misalignment issues with families.

• Prepare to be proactive by educating families on common policies and procedures to avoid future issues.

  Register Here

SUPER SATURDAY with SPARK LEARNING LAB 

GUIDING GROWTH - Strategies for Developmental Success & Family Collaboration

South Bend for Early Educators, In Person, FREE,  Feb 22, 2025

Location: Downtown Library’s Community Learning Center, 305 S Michigan Street, South Bend, IN 46601

Lunch Provided + Free Materials

Registeration via I-Lead, limited seats - Register Here.

3 hours Training Certificate + Free Materials for your Program

Please Note: PreRequisite to Registration: CDC’s Learn The Signs, Act Early required prior to registering. Available 24/7 on Indiana Learning Paths

Need help registering: 1-800-299-1627 (SPARK HELP DESK)

Thriving Temporal Environments for Young Children and Educators: Unlocking the Right P.I.T.C.H. February 12, 2025 | 2 PM Eastern Time FREE Virtual

If you register and are unable to attend the live session you will receive a link of the recording.

Register Here

If you’ve ever wondered why a program or classroom feels stressed, frenzied, or just not right, chances are that the PITCH is one of the primary causes of that “ick” feeling. There are four types of environments in early childhood programs: The Physical environment, the Interpersonal environment, the Temporal environment, and the Curricular environment. These four,: P, I, T, and C can be designed to create harmony in each classroom and the program. When they work well, your program has the right PITCH, and everything flows. When they do not work together, programs may be dysregulated.

You may already know how to set up most of these environments, but you might not realize that the temporal environment is responsible for an imbalance. The temporal environment is all about timing: Daily schedules, including arrival, snacks, choice time, group times, outdoor play, and the transitions from one to the other. Directors often set up schedules for teachers to have turns with their classes on playgrounds, in music, dance, etc. But is the schedule really working for the children, or are the adults scheduling to fit children into constructs that work for them, not the children?

In this paradigm-shifting webinar by Dr. Tamar Andrews, professor and the Director of Early Childhood Education at American Jewish University and Lindsay Astor Grant, MA, OTR/L, Occupational Therapy Consultant from Learning Redesigned, you will explore how to find the right PITCH, with a special focus on temporal environments. Tamar will deepen your understanding of predictable routines and help you uncover how to know when the PITCH in your program is working.