Join internationally renowned designer and author Rusty Keeler on a journey of ideas celebrating the benefits and beauty of outdoor play. With humor, insight and images Rusty will inspire you to add nature to your outdoor spaces and invite you to take bold steps to support risky play. You’ll learn why outdoor play and risk are essential to children’s healthy development and see examples from around the world of programs that say “yes” to the good stuff of outdoor play—loose parts, tree climbing, mud kitchens, bare feet, rough and tumble play, chickens, and more. Bring on the play!

Rusty Keeler

We will explore current research and best practices when it comes to working with families raising children born substance exposed. We will talk about the importance of "typical" development and how important tummy time is and how it impacts more than just core strength.

Cindy Chamberlin

In this session, we will take a closer look at supporting the emotional needs of infants and toddlers. Caregivers and children must have an emotional bond before learning can happen. We will look closely at these relationships and the independence and leadership children have within the environment. We will learn strategies to build these bonds by ensuring that children’s needs are met, including respect, responsiveness, and their comfort through verbal and nonverbal cues and interactions. Outcomes: As a result of this workshop, participants will be able to: • follow children’s lead, give independence to have free movement throughout the learning environment, and be aware and responsive to verbal and non-verbal cues from children. • utilize practical strategies to develop a warm, nurturing learning environment.

Infants will show us what they need if we pay careful attention. In this

session, we’ll practice serve and return techniques to provide engaging, responsive guidance and care for our youngest citizens.

Toddlers and twos are learning to test the limits. Our role as educators is to

provide consistent responsive care and supervision to keep them safe as they learn and negotiate social relationships.?

Laura Wilhelm, Kaplan

Infuse nature into daily environments and routines for our youngest children. Focus: Infants and Toddlers; Teaching and Learning Outdoors; Connecting with Nature?

Heather Fox, Nature Explore

We all want to create beautiful outdoor natural play and learning environments for our children but isn't it expensive? Difficult? Out of reach for the average caregiver and center? "No way!" says natural playscape designer and author Rusty Keeler, "You can do it!" Join Rusty as he shares his 30 years of design experience to inspire YOU to dream and plan your own natural playscape makeover "in any yard, on any budget". You'll see images of play spaces filled with trees, grass, hills, sand, water, boulders, loose parts, gardens, and more. Rusty's fun ideas will inspire you to "Dream Big, Start Small, and Never Stop!" with your outdoor playscape journey.

*** if people bring pics of their spaces, we can review them together during the session and brainstorm possibilities!**

Rusty Keeler

Title: Born to Explore: Sensational Science for Infants and Toddlers Description: Children are naturally curious. They are born to explore! As adults, we are challenged to find environments to enhance their curiosity. From stacking to dumping, we’ll explore it all! Science is the linchpin of STEAM and science is what our children love, it’s the majority of their day! We will dive into the skills progression and learn how to support infants and toddlers in developing and mastering these skills. We will discuss how to plan developmentally appropriate science lessons and activities specifically for infants and toddlers while exploring science concepts and materials to support children in developing skills and concepts they will use and depend on for the rest of their lives!

Outcomes: As a result of this workshop, participants will be able to: • use the skills progression to support infants and toddlers in developing and mastering science skills. • utilize developmentally appropriate practices to enhance science instruction.

Suggested Materials: www.lakeshorelearning.com/my-shoppinglist-page/gl361269520

Michelle Duhon, Lakeshore

SESSION REPEATED IN D2

There’s just something about living plants and animals that capture children’s attention like nothing else! We’ll discuss what we are already doing in our classrooms, and ways to safely add more explorations with the natural world indoors and outside.

Laura Wilhelm, Kaplan

Discovering innovative ways to support infants and toddlers in well-designed outdoor spaces.

Heather Fox, Nature Explore

**Must attend both 1:15pm and 3:30pm class for this training**

Join Rusty Keeler in a facilitated conversation about all things risky play. Together we’ll reflect on our yes’s and no’s and why's and then visualize how to say yes more. We’ll tap the wisdom of the group to hear risky play successes, challenges, and questions. We’ll discuss benefits of risky play, new ways to support it, and how to communicate with licensing and parents about risky play. Together we’ll form community and support each other in supporting risky play!

Rusty Keeler

Keeping children safe and healthy is our priority when it comes to caring for young children. We can achieve this with consistent basic health and safety practices. We will review specific practices and routines for which caregivers can model and implement personal hygiene routines such as tooth brushing and handwashing to control and prevent the spread of illness. We will reflect on our current practices for active supervision, keeping a safe environment, providing healthy meals, and maintaining positive relationships.

Outcomes: As a result of this workshop, participants will be able to: • demonstrate appropriate health and safe practices to control and prevent the spread of illness. • use preventative measures to protect children from injury o?r potential harm. HarnMichel Dohunmma

Michelle Duhon, Lakeshore

Suggested Materials: www.lakeshorelearning.com/my-shoppinglist-page/gl482769620

A treasure basket is a low, sturdy basket filled with items from nature or around the house. Babies find these interesting because of the variety in appearance: textures, smells, surface temperatures, weight, and the sounds they can make. Islands of discovery are the next logical step. As babies become mobile, they are constantly on the move. Islands of discovery can be blankets, mats, baskets, or buckets of materials placed around the room or playground to allow young children to explore objects while honoring their need to be in motion.

Laura Wilhelm, Kaplan

Discovering innovative ways to support infants and toddlers in well-designed outdoor spaces.

Heather Fox, Nature Explore

**Must attend both 1:15pm and 3:30pm class for this training**

During this session, Infant/Toddler Specialists will take you through the model rooms and discuss each developmental area and why it is important.

IT Specialists

Children are naturally curious. They are born to explore! As adults, we are challenged to find environments to enhance their curiosity. From stacking to dumping, we’ll explore it all! Science is the linchpin of STEAM and science is what our children love, it’s the majority of their day! We will dive into the skills progression and learn how to support infants and toddlers in developing and mastering these skills. We will discuss how to plan developmentally appropriate science lessons and activities specifically for infants and toddlers while exploring science concepts and materials to support children in developing skills and concepts they will use and depend on for the rest of their lives!

Outcomes: As a result of this workshop, participants will be able to: • use the skills progression to support infants and toddlers in developing and mastering science skills. • utilize developmentally appropriate practices to enhance science instruction.

Ron Mohl, Lakeshore

Suggested Materials: www.lakeshorelearning.com/my-shoppinglist-page/gl361269520

SESSION IS A REPEAT OF B2

Imagine school as a place where the classroom environments and the materials that fill the shelves are catalysts for innovation and learning. Through photographs, video, and curated provocations, this session will share encounters with light, shadow, color and reflection. Messing about with materials, participants will build an understanding of the potential of light as a material that invites paradox and game. 

Jennifer Kesselring, Kaplan

Supporting children’s self-regulation, wellbeing, and resilience through powerful connections with nature. Focus: Social-Emotional Development; Teaching and Learning Outdoors; Relationships

Heather Fox, Nature Explore

This session provides an overview of a tool to help you systematically assess the leadership and management practices in your center and use that data to develop an action plan for program improvement. This presentation was developed by the authors of the PAS-3

This session is ONLY for administrators, directors, and assistant directors.

Marcy Mueller, QIS

Early exploration is key to STEAM and building future success for infants and toddlers. Throughout this session, we will explore the basics of implementing STEAM, as well as dive deeper into how to integrate STEAM throughout your infant/toddler environment to build STEAM throughout the day!

Outcomes: As a result of this workshop, participants will be able to: • identify the components of STEAM and how they pertain to the infant/toddler classroom. • integrate STEAM into multiple areas of the learning environment appropriate for infants and toddlers.

Ron Mohl, Lakeshore

Suggested Materials: www.lakeshorelearning.com/my-shoppinglist-page/gl361267949

Everybody loves cardboard boxes! This session will share stories of creativity, play, math, science, and literacy learning through materials accessible to anyone. We will share stories of inviting encounters using common materials, engage in hands-on explorations, and explore easy ways to integrate natural materials into daily life in the classroom.

Jennifer Kesselring, Kaplan

Discovering innovative ways to support infants and toddlers in well-designed outdoor spaces.

Heather Fox, Nature Explore

**Must attend both 1:15pm and 3:30pm class for this training**

This training will discuss how to store and handle breastmilk, ways child care providers can support breastfeeding, and the 10 steps for the WV Breastfeeding Designation.

Renee Stonebraker

In this session, will discuss how interactions with infants consists of positive behaviors, physical closeness, and shared attention. We will learn to respond appropriately to the verbal and non-verbal cues of infants and discuss the importance of engaging infants during routine care and playtime to support their development. Finally, we will share effective strategies to support the early language development of infants.

Outcomes: As a result of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• explain the importance of actively engaging infants through daily routines.

• utilize effective strategies to assist learning and promote language development.

Ron Mohl, Lakeshore

What is a sand studio you say? This session will explore the design of a sand space that highlights texture, sound, light, color, line and composition. Sharing stories from infant and toddler classrooms we will explore the potential of this basic material when presented in interesting ways and in relationship with other concepts. Come play in the sandbox with us!

Jennifer Kesselring, Kaplan

Discovering innovative ways to support infants and toddlers in well-designed outdoor spaces.

Heather Fox, Nature Explore

**Must attend both 1:15pm and 3:30pm class for this training**

“Get children outside more!” It sounds easy, but high-quality nature-based early childhood education (NbECE) doesn’t happen overnight. Rather, using the outdoors as an extension of the classroom requires a shift in both administrative and teaching practices. The role of leadership is to help teachers overcome the real and perceived challenges of nature-based learning. Using a continuum of NbECE as the overarching framework, Rachel will address the unique challenges of integrating nature into the preschool classroom. No matter your starting point, you’ll leave with solutions related to regulations, logistics, and supporting teachers and families in shifting toward a nature-based approach. You’ll also leave smiling, energized, and ready to change. 

Dr. Rachel Larimore

Plans in a developmentally appropriate and trauma informed context to further the social emotional development of infants and young children. Participants will gain an understanding of why relationships are key to supporting emotional regulation before, during, and after emergencies; types of responses children and adults may have during an emergency; how to support young children during emergency drills; how to communicate and reassure children and families during and after emergencies; how to recognize stress and trauma responses; and the importance of self and community care after emergencies.

**Must attend both 8:30am and 10:45am class for this training**

Sheila Zickefoose & Charla Blosser

WV Infant Toddler Mental Health Association

Two-year old’s behavior can be unpredictable and sometimes challenging. In this professional development session, we gain an understanding of how young children learn and how to teach them strategies to guide the children through challenging behavior.

MaxAnn Weese, Behavior Consultant

This session, intended for childcare center directors and administrators, will review the history, vision, mission, and goals for WV STARS. Administrators will also learn how to run and review the reports needed to see their staff member’s Career Pathway Level & expiration date and training transcripts. Come learn how WV STARS can help you and your staff meet your professional goals!

EmmaLee Griffith, WV STARS/RVCDS

Alicia Hundley

Plans in a developmentally appropriate and trauma informed context to further the social emotional development of infants and young children. Participants will gain an understanding of why relationships are key to supporting emotional regulation before, during, and after emergencies; types of responses children and adults may have during an emergency; how to support young children during emergency drills; how to communicate and reassure children and families during and after emergencies; how to recognize stress and trauma responses; and the importance of self and community care after emergencies.

**Must attend both 8:30am and 10:45am class for this training**

Sheila Zickefoose & Charla Blosser

WV Infant Toddler Mental Health Association

During this training you will be chatting with Nickie Haines the Director of Children's Tree House Inc.. Her nature-based center is the first center to install a Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom in West Virginia. She will be leading a discussion and answering questions on what she learned through the process and 13 years later with Nature Explore. She will also talk about nature-based play, connecting children with nature and how simply it all can be.

Nicki Haines, Children’s Tree House

In this session, learners will meet with WV STARS staff members to review tips, tricks, and things to remember while working in the registry! We will start with a brief overview of WV STARS – who we are, what we do, why we’re here. Next, we will look at the dashboard, learning history, and user profile, and finally, we will review the training calendar and our scholarship and earnings programs!

EmmaLee Griffith, WV STARS, RVCDS