1. family and parenting
2. children

28th Infancy Institute
June 16th, 17th, 18th, 2015
Tuesday, June 16th Workshops
1. Keeping the focus on teacher:child interactions |
Helen Frazier, Master Teacher, FirstStepNYC
Social interactions play a key role in how children learn to think,
reason and communicate. We will pause to take a careful look at
the power of individual teacher/child interactions. We will discuss
strategies for enhancing the quality and effectiveness of those
interactions with infants and toddlers and their families.
2. Everyday Activities: Supporting Language and
Literacy Development of Young children | Amy Flynn,
Early Childhood Educational Specialist, STG International, NYS
Head Start Training and Technical Assistance
This presentation will explore how teachers, home visitors and
parents can support children’s language and literacy development
in everyday activities and routines. The presentation will include
strategies for supporting dual language learners and using
culturally responsive practices. Online resources and materials
will be shared.
3. Reflective Supervision as a Practical Tool for
Supporting and Engaging Teachers and Home
Visitors | Denise Prince, Director of the Early Childhood
Leadership Program, Bank Street College
The workshop will focus on aspects of teaching and learning as
it relates to the development and supervision of teachers. It will
demonstrate in what ways the use of reflective supervision as a
tool can support, engage and mentor professionals at varying
levels.
4. Infant massage for parents and educators: using
touch to support development | Melina Gac-Artigas,
Teacher, The Family Center at Brooklyn Friends
This workshop will focus on how touch can be used to support
development in infancy and early toddlerhood. Participants will
practice infant massage techniques and embody early movement
patterns. We will share questions and curiosities as we explore
together.
5. Positioning infants to access their worlds | Alana
Murphy, MOTR/L, licensed occupational therapist with a
specialization in pediatrics and adaptive design consultant
This workshop will provide basic information on biomechanics
as it relates to an infant’s ability to access their environment
and participate in age-appropriate play. Information regarding
strategies to develop and design creative adaptations will be
shared.
6.
Making
Connections:
Infancy/
Adult
Development and Learning | Mayra Bloom, Educator-atlarge
An open-ended invitation to make and think about connections
between our experience with infants, and our own development
and learning as adults. We will use selected protocols to deepen
and focus the conversation.
7. Investigating my world: science for the Youngest
of Learners | Jenny Ingber, Director of Science Initiatives,
Bank Street College & Michael Amaral, Teacher, Bank Street
Family Center
Science is happening around us all the time! How can we use
what we can see, feel, hear, smell and taste to understand the
world around us? How can we create environments that foster
the use of a child’s senses and diffent tools to help them come to
new “scientific” understandings?
8. Simply Caring - using assessment tools to
improve your environment | Cynthia Soete, NJ First Steps.
Infant/Toddler Specialist
Build your knowledge and reliance on environmental assessment
tools to free your time for positive engagements with infants,
toddlers and their families. Explore the ITERS FCCERS and CLASS
and how these tools measure the work we do.
9. Yoga and Movement for Infants and Toddlers |
Yasmin Dorrian, Early Interventionist
Learn how to change the energy in your classroom through
mindful movement! In this workshop we will explore how to use
movement to encourage self-regulation, develop body awareness
and support self-expression. Please wear comfortable clothing,
be prepared to sit on the floor and get ready to move your body!
28th Infancy Institute
June 16th, 17th, 18th, 2015
Wednesday, June 17th
Workshops
10. Transitional Objects in the Classroom: Promoting
Self- Comfort and Self-Other Development | Lesley
Koplow, Director, Emotionally Responsive Practice at Bank Street
This workshop will help participants understand the meaning
of transitional objects in toddlerhood and set the stage for their
integration in infant, toddler and early childhood classrooms.
11. Early language development – working with
diverse families | Ana Berdecia, Senior Fellow/Director;
15. Creative movement in an inclusive program |
Nicole Brown & Krista Wilbur
In this presentation we will demonstrate many ways to introduce
and integrate movement activities throughout the day in programs
for young children. Each movement activity can happen in circle
time; large group settings; or in small groups during outings or
when it is rainy outside. You will learn five creative movement
activities and accompanying resources.
16. He’s Moody. She’s Blue. Understanding Early
Childhood Mental Health | Laura Martin, ITFS Mental
Center for the Positive Development of Urban Children John S.
Watson Institute for Public Policy of Thomas Edison State College
Health and Disabilities Specialist, Verner Center for Early Learning
& Gabriel Guyton, Lead Teacher Bank Street Family Center,
Adjunct Faculty
Participants will examine the terms cultural responsiveness,
first and second language acquisition, and learn strategies for
engaging English Language Learners and their families. A model
for helping early childhood teachers become more culturally
conscious and responsive to diverse children and families.
In this interactive session we will discuss the definition of mental
health in the young child, potential signs that a child is at risk for
mental illness and what can happen if a child does not have heathy
early social and emotional experiences. If you are concerned about
a child’s mood and behavior…what can you do? Join us to learn
about effective strategies to support young children.
12. Faith-based infant toddler programs CAN be
developmentally appropriate | Mary Lou Allen, Infant/
17. Creating Community in your toddler room | Pam
Toddler Consultant, NJ First Steps Initiative
When the mission and vision of your toddler program is to
preserve, honor and celebrate culture, traditions and customs
and it collides with developmental knowledge; how do you
make peace? Faith based programs can fulfill their goals without
compromising what is best for infants and toddlers. Combining
infant/toddler development with a child’s religious environment
will be the guide for making appropriate choices in the childcare
setting.
13. Together can be better: Collaboration between
special educators and group teachers | Alanna
Edmonds Navitski, Faculty, Bank Street College
Partnerships between group teachers and special educators
working with individual children can be challenging, but can also
lead to rich discussion for both partners, and to an enhanced
experience for little ones. In this workshop, we will explore
strategies for building strong working relationships across
disciplines.
14. Thinking about me and you: reflecting on
challenging behaviors | Lorri Sullivan, Sullivan Early
Childhood Consulting, LLC
This workshop will help caregivers reflect on their own definitions
of challenging behaviors in young children. We will discuss the
importance of managing our own responses and reactions and
how they impact our relationships with young children.
Wheeler-Civita, Lead Special Education Teacher, Bank Street
Family Center
Participants will share and collaborate on successful ways in
which they feel they have created community in their classrooms.
Suggestions will be offered for creating emotionally responsive,
developmentally sound, and family-friendly toddler rooms.
18. Healthy child care for infants and toddlers |
Michelle Barnea, RN, consultant and coordinator of the Health in
Child Care conference
How can we create healthy, yet interesting environments for
infants and toddlers?
19. Have the Best Year: How to create, lead and
manage effective teaching teams | Sarah Willis, Lead
Teacher, Bank Street Family Center
Educators spend so much time focusing on the demands of
the classroom (curriculum, caretaking, stress management)
that planning for and supporting effective teaming often gets
overlooked. Team building is a process of self-discovery – giving
each team member an opportunity to identify their personal
strengths and their unique place in the team. Learn how to create
a unified sense of purpose, manage conflicts and come to lead the
best team you have ever had despite whatever challenges you may
face.
28th Infancy Institute
You can sign up for a Thursday morning workshop or choose a center
visit (led by an experienced Bank Street guide) which allows Institute
participants the opportunity to see one program serving infants and
toddlers.
Thursday, June 18th Center Visits
S1. New York Public Library: Children’s Center at
42nd Street | Limit: 15 visitors
Come visit New York Public’s brand new Children’s Center at 42nd
Street. While there, view one of the Senior Children’s Librarians
as they conduct a toddler time for children ages 18-36 months.
S2. Bank Street Family Center | Limit: 8 visitors
An inclusionary center serving diverse families who live or work
on the Upper West Side of New York City. The groups are mixed in
age and include children with disabilities.
S3. Basic Trust Infant/Toddler Center | Limit: 4 visitors
Provides year round, full and part time, care with an emphasis on
enriched, developmental care and a whole-family focus.
S4. Rockefeller University Child and Family Center
| Limit: 6 visitors
June 16th, 17th, 18th, 2015
21. The art of singing with young children | Betsy
Blachly, Bank Street Family Center and School for Children Music
Specialist
Singing songs in settings with young children creates a container
of sound: whether one on one, or in a group. Melody, real
emotions, inviting rhythms, engaging repetitions, and facial
expressions are the ingredients of this dynamic song connection.
Emphasis is on making up words while totally enjoying yourself.
22. Seeing more: Making the Most of Observations
| Daniella Dvash, Home-based Supervisor, Mental Health
Consultant and Training and Technical Assistance at Yeled
v’Yalda Early Head Start
Considering the current emphasis on evidence-based work in the
fields of education and social services, it is increasingly necessary
to understand and appreciate the power of observing and
documenting the everyday experiences of infants and toddlers.
This workshop will explore and explain observational study
through dynamic discussions, reflections and shared small group
activities.
23. Baby Watch | Jacqueline Range, Teacher, LYFE program,
NYC Department of Education
Provides year round, responsive, full-time care to children
3 months to 4.9 years. The center serves the multi-national
Rockefeller University community.
How can I learn to support and respect babies in their play?
s5. Rita Gold Early Childhood Center at Teachers
College | Limit: 6 visitors
In this workshop, you will have the opportunity to watch
toddlers in person as they are busy at work interacting with an
early intervention specialist. We will discuss ways to develop
our observational skills and understanding of the complex
developmental processes that are being mastered through
seemingly simple interactions.
Serves children aged 6 weeks to 3 years in the Columbia University
affiliated community. It provides supportive early care and
education, transdisciplinary training of teachers, and on going
research.
S6. Roosevelt Island Day Nursery | Limit: 6 visitors
An international non-profit program serving children between
the ages of 3 months and 5 years and their families who represent
the rich diversity of the Roosevelt Island community in New York
City.
Thursday, June 18th
Morning Workshops
20. Sensory and Art Experiences for Toddlers |
Debbie Silver, Director of Professional Development, Child Care
Resources of Rockland County
Explore sensory and art experiences that you can use with
toddlers. Have fun with painting, tearing, scrunching and
anything else you can think of to do with the materials! Leave
with recipes and ideas.
24. Toddler Watch | Kristina Satchell, Educational Coordinator
for Columbia University Early Head Start
25. Sensory Motor Development in young children
| Trudy Bier, PT
Focus on how sensory motor development occurs in babies
through toddlers and how this impacts learning preschool and
later on. Hands-on learning about development in an informal
learning atmosphere.
26. Using Relationship based training and
supervision for the professional growth and
development of teachers and others working with
young children | Betty Ann Ablon, IMH-E (IV)
We now know more than we ever have about early development
and the critical role of relationship to the healthy development of
infants and toddlers. Relationship based supervision, training and
mentoring can lead to an informed, nurturing, and emotionally
available adult and also be the model for what is to happen with
the children (parallel process).
28th Infancy Institute
Thursday, June 18th
Afternoon Workshops
27. Natural World, City Environments | Rebecca Pearl,
Lead Teacher, Brooklyn Heights Synagogue Preschool
In this workshop we take into consideration the challenge
of providing children with opportunities to interact with the
natural world in an urban environment. We discuss how to
develop activities such as planting and composting which can be
scalable and meaningful for different groups of children as well as
sustainable for teachers.
28. Rx: Play (The benefits of a developmentally
based play group in a Hospital Setting) | Susan Linker,
Coordinating Manager & Ruth Carter, Supervising Children’s
Counselor, Department of Child Life and Development Services,
Bellevue Hospital Center
This workshop will describe the role of a developmentally based
parent/child playgroup within an outpatient Pediatric Clinic. We
will discuss how the work within this group supports the work of
the pediatrician. We will also discuss how this group supports the
parents.
29. How do I say this? Talking to parents about
difficult topics | Laura Martin, ITFS Mental Health and
Disabilities Specialist, Verner Center for Early Learning, NC
What happens when you have concerns about a child’s health,
development, or behavior that you need to discuss with their
parents? These are some of the trickiest, but most important,
conversations that early childhood professionals have, because
the right approach can help ensure that the children in your care
get the help and support they need to thrive. Join us to explore and
practice strategies for discussing difficult topics with parents.
30. Understanding and supporting dual language
development in infants and toddlers | Carmen Colón,
Faculty, Bank Street College
During this workshop we will explore key concepts of first and
second language acquisition in young children. Together explore
strategies for supporting second language development and the
role teachers and adults play in helping children during the second
language learning process.
31. Active Learning for adults: How adults learn |
Debbie Silver, Director of Professional Development, Child Care
Resources of Rockland
Do you provide professional development, train your staff, meet
with families or are interested in how adults learn best? This
workshop will look at the principles of adult learning and how to
deliver effective professional development opportunities that
meet their needs. After all, adults are active learners too!
June 16th, 17th, 18th, 2015
32. Understanding our own biases: How what we
don’t think about can get in the way | Meg Balicki, Bank
Street College and Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter
College
We live and work in a very diverse world. Our background and
experiences affect how we understand and interact with infants
and their families. This worskhop will help us learn to recognize
our biases so that we can see families clearly and connect with
them in a genuine way.
33. The ABC’s of the Early Intervention Program |
Jeanette Gong, Director, Intervention Quality Initiatives, Bureau
of Early Intervention, NYC Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene
An introduction to the NYC Early Intervention Program. What is the
process from referral to evaluation to services? NYC is committed
to family-centered practices. How do we include families in the
program?
34. The art of accompanying singing on the guitar or
ukelele | Betsy Blachly, Bank Street Family Center & School for
Children Music Specialist
Learn to use the guitar and/or ukelele with children. This workshop
includes instruction, a guidebook to take home, and many songs.
35. Engaging toddlers and two’s using emergent
curriculum | Carolyn Tebbetts, Head Teacher, Inclusive Toddler
Room, Montclair State University & Jelena Starcevic, Head
Teacher, Church of the Epiphany
The workshop will deepen the understanding of how teachers can
fully trust the power of the play that their children are engaging
in and how to support children in their play/learning process.
Participants will engage in discussing how to listen and observe
young children to better understand their interests, and then
use these interests to develop meaningful investigations where
teachers and children work together to further hands-on learning
experiences.