Have you ever felt overwhelmed by toddler screams, food-throwing, or frustrated outbursts? You’re not alone—and there are effective ways to turn those challenging moments into opportunities for connection and learning. In this engaging session, led by toddler expert, Raelene Ostberg, you’ll discover practical techniques that foster both verbal and nonverbal language skills, helping children replace ear-shattering screams with meaningful phrases and gestures.

You’ll also gain insight into how infants and toddlers develop the critical language skills that reduce negative behaviors and learn the typical developmental expectations for expressive and receptive language in the first two years.Through entertaining real-life stories and engaging videos, you’ll see strategies in action and leave inspired with numerous evidence-based tools to build harmony in your early learning environment. Join us to transform everyday challenges into joyful breakthroughs—reducing stress, strengthening connections, and unlocking the magic of early learning.

Objectives: Adult learners will be able to:

• Identify effective techniques that promote communication skills in infants and toddlers

• Explain how adult interactions influence the development of executive function and learning skills

• Apply prompting cues to support young learners during behavioral challenges

RESOURCES

• Watch the full webinar here
• Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software

Babies are natural engineers—and Loose Parts are their tools for exploration! This engaging session explores how Loose Parts play supports infant development, encourages sensory exploration, and fosters early cognitive and motor skills.

Join Infant Mental Health & Early Years Specialist, Sophie Rayner-Grignon to discover how to become an active, responsive partner in play with infants. You’ll dive into the curious minds of babies, unpack common barriers, and reframe your approach to infant play through a developmental and trauma-informed lens. Leave with practical ideas, real-world examples, and a curated collection of next-step resources to help educators, infants, and their communities engage meaningfully with Loose Parts.

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Describe the benefits of Loose Parts play for infant learning, development, and sensory exploration.
• Identify strategies for becoming an active and responsive partner in infant play using Loose Parts.
• Recognize and address common barriers to implementing Loose Parts play in early childhood settings.
• Apply practical strategies and setup ideas for safe, developmentally appropriate Loose Parts experiences.
• Reflect on personal beliefs and practices around infant play, and plan actionable next steps to integrate Loose Parts into daily routines.

RESOURCES

• Watch the full webinar here
• Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software

This engaging and interactive workshop will explore practical, joyful ways to nurture early literacy, emotional regulation, and social connection in young children through the powerful combination of carefully selected picture books, songs, rhythm, and rhyme. Join Anne Meeker Watson, Ph.D., MT-BC, Music Therapist and Early Childhood Consultant at SING.PLAY.LOVE., author of Sing & Sign with Young Children: A Guide for Early Childhood Professionals, and recipient of NAPPA and Parents’ Choice Honors awards for her global music programming. You’ll discover how these simple, everyday tools are deeply intertwined with social-emotional learning (SEL), providing a holistic foundation for development. We will delve into clear criteria for selecting rich picture book literature that captivates young minds and offers concrete opportunities for teaching a variety of essential skills.

The session will feature favorite books with concrete examples of activities and songs, demonstrating how to bring stories to life with musical elements to support:

• Early Literacy: Enhancing phonological awareness, vocabulary, and print motivation through rhythmic reading and sing-alongs.
• Emotional Regulation: Using specific songs and movements to help children identify, express, and manage big feelings.
• Social Connection: Fostering cooperation, empathy, and positive interactions through shared musical play and story experiences.

You'll leave with key takeaways for seamlessly including music and books into your daily routines, transforming ordinary moments into extraordinary learning opportunities that build joyful, confident, and connected young learners. Join us to unlock the magic of harmonizing growth in your early childhood setting!

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Participants will be able to:

1. Identify simple, joyful ways to integrate picture books, songs, rhythm, and rhyme into early childhood settings.
2. Explain how music and books support social-emotional learning (SEL) in young children.
3. Demonstrate concrete activities and songs using selected picture books to support early literacy, emotional regulation, and social connection.

RESOURCES

• Watch the full webinar here
• Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software

Coaching is one of the most powerful tools we have to support adult growth in early childhood education—but meaningful change is rarely easy. Resistance isn’t a sign that people don’t care; more often, it’s a natural response to uncertainty, vulnerability, or past experiences. As coaches, leaders, and mentors, how we approach these moments can make all the difference.

In this insightful and compassionate session, Susan Lewis, M.Ed., Founder and CEO of Early Childhood Education Professional Development (ECEPD), offers a fresh, reflective lens on resistance in coaching. Drawing from more than two decades of experience across classrooms, programs, and state systems, Susan will guide you in understanding what resistance really is—and how to work with it instead of against it.

You’ll explore practical ways to connect with adult learners, respond with empathy, and support sustainable growth—even when change feels slow or uncomfortable. Whether you're a coach, administrator, or peer mentor, this session will deepen your coaching skills and help you foster more trusting, collaborative relationships that move your program forward.

In this session, you will:

• Describe the underlying causes of resistance during coaching or organizational change.

• Apply adult learning principles to enhance engagement and build rapport.

• Use reflective questioning and empathy-driven tools to reduce defensiveness and foster trust.

• Design flexible coaching plans that are responsive to where people are in their growth journey.

RESOURCES

• Watch the full webinar here
• Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software

In the early years, children are developing the essential building blocks that shape their ability to learn, manage emotions, build relationships, and thrive in the classroom. At the heart of this development are executive function skills—the brain-based processes that enable focus, self-regulation, memory, flexibility, and goal-directed behavior.

Join Victoria A Bagnall. MA (Cantab), PGCE., neurodivergent educator, speaker, and co-founder of Connections in Mind, for a clear and compelling exploration of executive function in early childhood. A former teacher and Cambridge graduate, Victoria is one of the UK’s leading specialists in executive function coaching and training. Drawing on her work with early years settings, schools, and national organizations—including the NHS and the University of California, Berkeley—she shares practical, research-informed strategies that educators can use to create supportive, neuro-inclusive classroom environments where every child can thrive.
This session explores:

• What executive function looks like in early childhood, how it develops, and why it’s central to school readiness

• The neuroscience behind executive function, presented in a clear and accessible way

• Practical strategies early years educators can use to create supportive, developmentally appropriate environments where every child can flourish

Whether you're a practitioner, leader, or support staff member, you’ll leave with a deeper understanding of how to nurture executive function—not just to prepare children for school, but to support their overall well-being and lifelong success.

RESOURCES

• Watch the full webinar here
• Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software

What is a child’s behavior trying to tell you—and are we sometimes missing the real story? In early childhood settings, challenging behaviors can easily be misread. Children who have experienced trauma or chronic stress may display symptoms that mirror those of ADHD—leading to misdiagnoses and missed opportunities for healing. Understanding the difference is critical to offering the right support.

In this insightful and practical webinar, Sharon Bacharach, Ed.D., L.C.S.W., will guide you in recognizing the behavioral signals of trauma and stress in young children. Drawing on over 30 years of experience as a social worker and early childhood educator, Dr. Bacharach will help you explore how trauma presents in the classroom and what educators can do to respond with empathy and effectiveness. You’ll learn when to dig deeper, how to distinguish between trauma and other behavioral challenges, and which classroom strategies can help children feel safe, supported, and regulated. Walk away with a toolbox of concrete ideas you can implement immediately to better support the children in your care.

Learning objectives, participants will be able to:

• Understand their role as educators when working with children who have experienced stress or trauma.
• Recognize signs in children that may indicate exposure to trauma.
• Lead activities that support children's self-regulation.

RESOURCES

• Watch the full webinar here
• Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software

Are you considering starting an early childhood business? Let's learn how to take your small business from the idea phase to launch.

In this session presented by business consultant, website designer, and trainer, Chelsea Denny from Early Childhood Creative, you’ll learn the steps required to set up your for-profit business and make it official. Topics covered include business entities, insurance, financials, marketing, and more.

You'll leave this session with a better understanding of what is required to form your for-profit business legally and how to protect yourself from liability. You'll also understand what is considered best practice in operating a new business and what the most common mistakes are.

The content covered will be most applicable to for-profit, service-based businesses operating in the United States, including childcare, private schools, coaches, consultants, and trainers. If operating outside of the United States, there may be different names and terminology, but the general information will still apply. If operating a non-profit, the general best practices will still apply.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Participants will be able to outline the process required to start a legal business in the United States.
2. Participants will be able to discuss common terminology related to starting a business.
3. Participants will be able to identify three components to consider when developing a business plan.
4. Participants will be able to name and describe the legal structures of for-profit businesses and how they generally relate to taxes, liability, and strategic planning.

All content shared is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice.

RESOURCES

• Watch the full webinar here
• Check out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software

Facing cold, wet, or snowy weather? No need to stay indoors! In this engaging session, you’ll learn how to prepare for cold weather play so children can enjoy it in safety and comfort—and how to thrive as you discover the wondrous possibilities of all kinds of weather.

Join Kirsten Haugen, Research Director for Dimensions Educational Research Foundation, and Early Learning Consultant at Nature Explore for a practical and inspiring exploration of outdoor play in the cold months. Discover how real-world programs not only cope with snow, rain, and wind but embrace it through thoughtful preparation, clear communication, creative scheduling, innovative use of materials, and—most importantly—a shift in mindset that makes it all possible. You’ll hear inspiring stories and practical ideas for playing in snow, rain, wind, and mud, as well as guidance on supporting holistic learning, honoring children’s agency, partnering with families, and caring for the adults who care for children. We’ll even unpack the “dark side” of the familiar phrase, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing choices.”

Join us for a cool and captivating opportunity to:

· Witness the benefits of cold-weather play
· Embrace an attitude shift
· Prepare with confidence and awareness
· Make time for winter play
· Adopt cold-weather comforts
· Expand possibilities with your space and materials
· Support the well-being of educators and caregivers

Whether you’re in a snowy climate or a region with rain and wind, you’ll leave ready to expand possibilities for outdoor learning and embrace the beauty of every season.

RESOURCES

• Watch the full webinar here
• Check out the producers of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management Software