The COVID pandemic took a heavy toll on children — and those who care for them. Child care providers from throughout the state will pick up valuable information and skills to help them better support children they serve at a first-of-its kind conference to be held in Clackamas County this summer.
The all-day Empowering Early Childhood Professionals Conference is scheduled for Saturday, June 3 at the Monarch Hotel and Conference Center in Clackamas. Hosted by Child Care Resource & Referral of Clackamas County — a program of Clackamas Education Service District — the conference aims to increase care providers’ knowledge of children’s social and emotional development, and enhance their toolkit to help children who are struggling.
“We’ve been listening, and child care professionals are telling us they need more support in caring for children who’ve spent most of their young lives in a pandemic,” said Sandy Meados, CCR&R program coordinator. “We need skills and tools that encourage emotionally stable, joyful children. This conference is designed to develop the skills that will help providers welcome all children into their care and flourish in their work.”
The conference will heavily emphasize evidence-based strategies to improve children’s social and emotional health.
Kelly Wilson, a nationally known early learning trainer, consultant and researcher, will deliver the keynote presentation: “Empowering People Through Investment in Shaping Behavior: A Family’s Journey.” Wilson, currently a senior research associate at the University of Denver’s Positive Early Learning Experiences Center, has special expertise in support strategies for young children who exhibit challenging behaviors. She’s spent two decades training on and implementing Pyramid Model practices, a tiered approach that promotes social and emotional wellness in all children, as well as targeted and intensive support to children who need it.
In addition to giving attendees opportunities to work with Pyramid Model experts, the conference will feature several sessions that address specific social emotional development and intervention needs. Topics include:
- Employing sensory-based stress response and calming strategies
- Helping children deal with trauma
- Using positive phrasing with young children
- Active listening to build relationships and solve problems
- Using therapeutic play to build social emotional growth
Two sessions at the conference — centered on dealing with caregiver distress and building caring relationships with children — will be conducted in Spanish.
Teachers, aides, child care center directors and home-based program owners all will benefit from these sessions. Conference attendees will earn professional development hours toward the annual training requirement needed to maintain a child care license. Cost for the all-day conference is $50 (or $40 for early bird registration through April 14). Scholarships also are available. Contact ccrr@clackesd.org or 503.675.4100 for more information, or register here.
