All businesses must comply with federal, state and local laws and regulations. Although much of the regulatory oversight of child care programs has been delegated to the individual states, there are Federal laws to which child care programs must comply. This workshop will focus on compliance with various federal regulations affecting the child care industry. We will look at federal employment and labor laws, including the Department of Labor’s Fair Labor Standards Act; federal discrimination laws, highlighting the American with Disabilities Act as it applies to both employees and customer accommodations; federal privacy laws; and the Family Medical Leave Act. OSHA regulations and new federal regulations related to Covid-19, if applicable, will be discussed.

An approximately and 60 minute long, PowerPoint presentation, covering Sexting, Child Pornography, Online Predators, Social Networks, Troublesome Apps, The Dangers of Sharing Photos, Sextortion, Peer-to-peer Downloads, The Deep Web, Cyberbullying and resources to assist in protecting our children. The laws pertaining to child pornography and cyberbullying are also discussed.

Leadership has never been more crucial to the forward momentum of providing all children with access to affordable, high-quality child care. Recognizing effective leadership skills and cultivating these is an exciting endeavor for many within the early childhood education landscape. Participants will have the opportunity to explore leadership qualities and traits, opportunities to identify how to utilize these skills in their everyday lives, and why it is so important to differentiate between leadership and management. By examining those leaders whom they admire, participants will identify what makes someone an effective leader and how to develop these traits in themselves.

Engage and be inspired with Mr.Jon Lewis as participants learn more about the importance of using movement and music with children, including tips and tricks when using music with children in the classroom.

Looking for lessons plan ideas that can be accessed by children of all abilities, ages, skill levels, language abilitiies and cultural backgrounds? All children can build on their existing strengths, feel successful, and exercise independence through intentional lessons that build on their emerging ideas and keep play as the focus. In this session, participants will discover how invitations and provocations support children's development across domains and how to use these approaches to include and support children with special needs.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Better Futures is asking Early Childhood Education Business owners to think about their retirement strategy now. Of course, things will return to normal, but that doesn't mean you should not have a plan for your retirement years. It's time to think twice about how the transition will look and what options are available to set yourself up for long-term success. Join early childhood education and financial experts, Better Futures LLC, as they introduce the participants to Retirement Planning for Early Childhood Business owners. We will highlight the following: How to develop a "Retirement Plan" strategy, provide participants with the opportunity to determine their optimal "Risk" level based on age, when choosing retirement strategies, define and discuss differences between retirement accounts and investments (IRA, Roth IRA, SEP, and more). Why a penny saved is a penny earned.

In this highly interactive workshop, you will explore the elements that are needed to prepare children for life by promoting GRIT for early childcare professionals and students through exploration of children's literature. The utilization of children's literature offers an opportunity for educators to connect children with the concepts that promote GRIT. A literature rich environment supports early educators to make a difference in the lives of children through a holistic developmental approach. Child care professionals will be presented with resources, tools, and strategies that promote both staff and children to be mindful within their human geography. The concepts are applicable from birth to school-age and throughout the child’s lifespan. Supporting children to develop GRIT promotes resilience, self- regulation, problem-solving and a willingness to engage their environment. Young learners are empowered to move towards success and achievement while being prepared for life.

This workshop helps teachers understand important skills that children must possess for success in school and in life. By the end of this training participants will be able to explain the reasons that attempting to teach babies to read is not good practice, identify the appropriate language and literacy goals for infants and toddlers, name a variety of appropriate literacy activities for infant and toddlers, develop a plan to communicate with parents about developmentally appropriate practices in language development and finally practice answers to parents related to typical questions about infants or toddlers reading.

As teachers, skills to develop emotional intelligence such as listening, empathy and communication, enhancing wellbeing and ability to work with others. This workshop aims to prove an understanding of why we face challenges in our self care and strategize ways to measurably begin cultivating an inner change that can lead to greater success in outward relationships and interactions.

Using a mix of PowerPoint, video clips, live music, and more, "Mr. Jon" will have everyone up singing and dancing, as well as discussing music tips and tricks. Covering everything from the importance of using music with small children to selecting music in order to facilitate connections, "Music in Circle Times" is sure to leave attendees energized and excited for their next musical adventure.

This training provides the participants with what they need to create a vibrant high-quality Early Childhood Education business. The training covers the "first floor" of the business which includes the components of a high quality ECE Program operations combined with the business practices that position the ECE business to be financially strong, able to continuously improve the quality of the program and services and position the business for growth and sustainability.

Learn important information related to the Mini Warn Act, CROWN Act – appearance policies, Equal Pay Protection – wage range disclosure and ban on wage history inquiries, ban the box, AI/ Facial recognition technology during hiring. Participants will be made aware of recent changes to Maryland law impacting employers/employees. Participants will be able to better understand these laws to ensure compliance with new changes. Engage with legal experts in the field to review new laws, policies, includes Q and A.

Comprehensive Information for All Child Care Programs/Providers. The latest details and updates related to child care regulations and quality initiatives under the direction of Jennifer Nizer, Director of the Office of Child Care, MSDE.

Trauma touches everyone. Especially those of us dedicated to the children we teach and the families we support. Join us as we take a close look at Compassion Fatigue and Compassion Satisfaction. Dive into self-care strategies designed to champion the early care professional to overcome secondary trauma. Remain strong, healthy and resilient as we power through 2021. The future’s so bright, ya gotta wear shades!

The NEW DAP: Developmentally Appropriate Practice, as defined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, has gotten a face lift. Why has the definition changed? What’s new for DAP? How do you apply the new DAP in your program practices?

Biting is an emotional charged issue for infant toddler teachers, for parents and for children. A fuller understanding of the Conscious Discipline brain state model and the skill of composure, in addition to recognizing

Are we teaching our children when they play games there’s more to participating then winning? When children play games, they are also learning how to get along with others and regulating their emotions. This engaging and interactive session will provide techniques for your team to support children’s social and emotional learning through cooperative games that focus on good sportsmanship building gross motor skills, modeling positive behavior and setting clear expectations. Come prepared to assist with your children’s lifelong learning.

YOU Have Choices and Opportunities. Personal growth is often lost, as we take on larger workloads and responsibilities. Rewire your brain to think happy, lighten your load and let things go. Try something new. Set goals and don't be afraid to fail. Learn how to work wonders and reset your perspective.

Language is powerful. In this interactive training we will explore how to use the power of language to support our children as they gain developmental and academic skills, develop self-control, and build a sense of community. Participants will explore “teacher language” and specific strategies that create more positive experiences in our programs.
Participants will be able to
1. Define “Teacher Language”
2. Identify guidelines for Teacher Language
3. Identify strategies that use teacher language to support students as they
o Gain developmental/academic skills
o Develop self-control, and
o Build a sense of community"

Learn about how Laura Numeroff became a children's book author, the importance of literacy and books in the classroom and how to use stories to teach and spark creativity in children and educators.

Supporting someone as they struggle through loss and grief can be incredibly difficult, especially when the bereaved individual is a child. Through this interactive and informative workshop, participants will learn what children understand about death at different ages and what their grief might look like. We will also cover practical information about supportive things to say and do for children and adults who are grieving. Please note: This workshop may be emotionally triggering for some. If you have recently experienced a loss you may want to consider attending an alternative workshop.

Research shows that the use of assistive technology for children birth through five is extremely underutilized, but that it also has huge impacts on the growth and development of children with disabilities. These tools can also look very different for infants and toddlers and tend to change often due to the rate of growth that this age group experiences. During this session, we will answer the who, what, when, why, and how of assistive technology for infants and toddlers. We will discuss how to use these tools in a respectful and caring way.

Supporting your staff in challenging times presentation will coach program administrators on how to recognize and discover staff stressors and how, in their role, can help support those staff members with the stressors they are experiencing. This presentation will also coach administrators on how they can create an environment that alleviates some of the stressors. Administrators will also learn how to acknowledge their own stressors and will be given suggestions to help themselves with their stressors.

In this interactive training participants will explore how to engage children in loose parts play to help them learn about their culture, history, language, traditions and values in an imaginative way. When children use loose parts, they can generate ideas about differences and similarities, and gain appreciation for diversity. Critical thinking empowers children to fully participate in creating environments that promote equality and equity and embrace social justice. We will learn that children are in control when playing with loose parts and they develop comfortable, empathetic and just interactions with diversity. We can help them negotiate in their play, so they develop the skills to be able to stand up for themselves and others in the face of injustice.

Studies have proven that young children are experimental learners who acquire knowledge through play, experimentation, exploration and discovery. Perhaps the most important point for early childhood educators is that young children learn best by doing-and are thus more likely to meet standards when they can experience concepts in physical ways. Delve into making the shift from complete objective-based learning to aunthentic learning for young children. Take a closer look at what authentic learning looks like for infants through the preschool years. Allow children to explore, discuss and construct concepts and relationships within a relevant context to gain sense of ownership in their own experience. Suggestions for classroon environments, provocations and project-based learning will be discussed.

This session will provide a basic overview of how early childhood education leaders are missing opportunities for growth by understandably focusing on daily management functions but ignoring fundamental leadership practices. Participants will discuss different types of leadership styles, what the best leaders practice on a daily basis and what makes the difference between being a leader and not is how you respond in the moment.

Participants will gain a better understanding of the challenges children face during the day and how to prepare the environment to help them be successful. We will explore the importance of using visuals and how it relates to brain development in young children.

Participants will be able to understand key provisions in recent COVID legislation impacting employers and employees, including provisions relating to mandatory paid leave and unemployment benefits. Address recent amendments to the Cares Act, FFCRA, and any other COVID legislation impacting employers and employees.

A little over a year ago, Maryland was hit with what would be the most devastating blow to its child care system in history. Since then, the Federal government and the state have worked to provide support to build back a better child care system. We have a long way to go. Come hear where we are and plans for the future. This is your chance to also tell us what we need to do together to make Maryland's child care system better than before.

Early childhood professionals will learn together and explore resources to make their jobs a little easier. This session is comprised of activities that allow you to network with other professionals and learn where to locate information you are searching for! Where to find icebreakers that work for staff meetings via zoom; how to improve morale during COVID-19; what rocks to turn over to locate new staff; strategies for engaging families virtually – these questions and more will be discussed during this information packed session. In addition, you will meet the Chapter Leaders of MSCCA and learn where and when meetings are held and who MSCCA’s business partners are and how they can help you in your program.

This session will discuss different types of self care and how self-care can change the way your brain processes the world. Time will be spent discussing self-care options from using plants to neutralize the nervous system to how gratitude helps you see negatives and positives. The session is interactive with participants discussing different options for self-care and how they can incorporate these options into their daily lives.

You know Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella. Come meet their cultural cousins, and others. In this workshop, you’ll be introduced to familiar folk tales from cultures around the world. Bring diversity into your program using children’s literature.

The value of natural materials in both classroom and outdoor exploration is in the way these materials can inspire play. Children are drawn to nature as a focal point for observation, exploration and investigation. These are the building blocks of scientific thinking for children as young as toddlers and these same principles guide the development of scientific thinking in Health Beginnings. The Maryland Knowledge and Competency Framework for Child and Youth Professionals challenge teachers to plan intentional learning and development activities in both traditional and non-traditional, in the outdoor environment. The Framework also challenges educators to demonstrate and teach others how to organize the indoor and outdoor environment to maximize growth, development, and learning of all children/youth. The Maryland Guide to Early Pedagogy states " Louv, Nelson and others highlight a growing body of research that emphasizes the importance of connections to nature in supporting all areas of development and wellness. Time outdoors for structured and unstructured play contributes to children's development and learning. It is a necessary part of the curriculum. The goal of this training is to help teachers move beyond the stagnant classroom nature center where random natural materials are displayed with no guidance or direction to a place where children can be engaged with materials and the materials can lead to actual, authentic learning experiences. Additionally, discussion and concrete ideas of more outdoor nature related intentional classrooms will be shared as the pandemic has allowed for more experiences outdoors.

This session is geared towards meeting the needs of the adult learner. In the past few years, new research has emerged related to how adults learn. This research supports new approaches to professional development and strategies to support adult learners. In each session, we will explore how this research can be applied to face-to-face and virtual learning opportunities. Trainers, curriculum specialists, program administrators, directors, team leaders, and anyone that works with teachers and staff will benefit from this session. We will engage participants in the following topics:

• New research on meeting the needs of the adult learner
• Types of professional development
• Needs of the childcare community for professional development
• The influence of technology on training
• The influence of technology on learners
• How do you pull it all together, the research, the PD needs, etc.

All participants attending in person will need to bring either their smartphone, tablet or laptop to the session with internet capabilities. The conference center has open WiFi for all attendees.