1. family and parenting
2. children

E a rl y C hi ldh ood Edu cat ion
Spr in g C on fere nc e
A pr il 24, 2015
Please note that handouts for sessions are posted at www.dpi.state.nd.us/EarlyChildhoodEduc/index.shtm
Session One
9:15 AM – 10:30 AM
Creating an Early Childhood Classroom Environment to Engage Children and Support Learning
Presenter: Carrie Germeroth
Room: Governor’s Room
The physical learning environment plays an important role in an early childhood classroom. Providing an organized
classroom environment with established routines can directly impact the behaviors children exhibit in a positive
way. In this presentation, participants will learn how they can transform their classrooms into vibrant spaces that
help children know what to do and what to expect. One strategy shared will focus on providing predictability and
systematic visual cues to help minimize challenging behaviors and maximize engagement. Pictures of optimal
environments will be shown and participants will have time for small group discussion and brainstorming on how
to apply learning from the presentation to their own classrooms.
Fun, Free, and Fabulous
Presenters: Marlena Maddock & Sharon Olson
Room: Missouri Ballroom A
After participating in this session, you will leave with ideas, props, activities, and enthusiasm that you can use
Monday morning. Everything presented is teacher tested and kid approved. Our session will be aligned for you to
the North Dakota Pre-Kindergarten Content Standards. Your preschoolers will thank you for attending our session.
The Inclusive Early Childhood Environment
Presenters: Missy Baranko and Mari Quittschreiber
Room: Missouri Ballroom C
Are young people influenced by their environment? Yes. There is a direct connection between a young child’s
environment, their learning, and the prevention of challenging behaviors. Early childhood practitioners can modify,
adapt, and change the young child’s environment to promote optimal growth and development of all children
(Deiner, 1999). Participants will learn practical information and strategies on creating an inclusive early childhood
environment and positively influencing children in an early childhood setting.
Understanding Traumatic Stress: Implications for Early Childhood Educators
Presenter: Heather Simonich
Room: Missouri Ballroom Main
One of every four children will experience a traumatic event by the age of sixteen. Recent neurobiological research
suggests that there is an increased need for educators to better understand Child Traumatic Stress (CTS) and how
it manifests in the classroom. CTS may develop after a child feels intensely threatened by an event he or she is
involved in or witnesses. If left unrecognized, CTS can have devastating consequences on mental health, school
performance, and relationships. Across the country, early education programs and schools are beginning to create
trauma-sensitive school initiatives to better meet the needs of children and families who have experienced
adverse life events. Participants will learn more about child traumatic stress and how it manifests in the early
childhood setting.
Collaborating for Quality in Early Childhood Education
Presenters:
Leslie Bieber, Allison Johnson, Sharon Hansen, & Lindsey Guss
Room: 2nd Floor 2130
This panel session features early childhood professionals who have experience collaborating through community
partnerships for the delivery of services to children and families. Programs represented include businesses, Local
Education Agencies, Child Care professionals, and Head Start. Panelists will discuss these partnerships as well as
the collaborative process, barriers to collaboration, and how to develop and maintain successful partnerships.
Session Two
10:45 AM – 12:00 PM
North Dakota Early Care and Early Education Study: Using Data to Inform Systematic Change
Presenter: Carrie Germeroth
Room: Governor’s Room
A brief summary of the findings from the North Dakota Early Care and Education Study will be presented.
Participants will learn how the findings are being used by early childhood stakeholders to inform decision making.
In particular, a new brief on parent perceptions of care and education in North Dakota will be shared. Additionally,
the North Dakota Early Care and Education Framework will be presented and disseminated to participants.
Participants will learn how to use the Framework and study findings to guide early childhood action in their
communities.
Requirements for Districts Operating a Pre-kindergarten Program
Presenters: Tara Bitz & Margaret Baune
Room: Missouri Ballroom A
This session will provide administrators and teachers with an overview of the Department of Public Instruction’s
Pre-kindergarten program approval process. Topics include Title I Pre-kindergarten monitoring and compliance,
North Dakota Pre-kindergarten Content Standards, curriculum guidance, funding, and networking opportunities.
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health
Presenter: Jody Claus
Room: Missouri Ballroom Section C
This presentation will define Early Childhood Mental Health, while exploring the impact of both nature and
nurture. Research findings on the link between mental illness and genetic predisposition, attachment, and chronic
stress will be examined. Additionally, risk and protective factors will be discussed. Participants will gain perspective
on how they can help build a strong foundation for mental wellness, as well as learn a basic intervention model for
overcoming behavioral challenges in children.
Apps for Early Learning Success
Presenter: Mark Coppin
Room: Missouri Ballroom Main
Are you looking for ways to use the iPad with your young students? Today’s mobile devices can provide students
with the tools to become successful 21st century learners. This session will discuss apps that can be used in the
early childhood classroom. This session explores apps pertaining to music, language development, fine motor skills,
storybooks, reading, writing, math games, readiness skills, and much more.
Early Intervention
Presenter: Amanda Carlson
Room: 2nd Floor 2130
Part C/Early Intervention is the component of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that provides
educational services for children birth through age two. Participants will learn the purpose and basics of Pact C
services, the relationship between Part C and Part B of IDEA, and service delivery.
12:15PM – 1:30 PM Lunch with Marlena Maddock, Sharon Olson &
Mark Coppin presenting: Laugh Like a Preschooler
Session Three
1:45 PM – 3:00 PM
Closing the School Readiness Gap
Presenters: Deb Gebeke, Sean Brotherson, Judith Konerza & Kim Bushaw
Room: Governor’s Room
North Dakota schools requested help from NDSU Extension Service to help 4-year-olds be more prepared for
school. During the past eight years, research and test sites have led to an evidence-based curriculum that works:
Gearing Up for Kindergarten. This session will explain the program and its benefits for communities and families.
Early Childhood Education Assessments
Presenter: Jo-Anne Yearwood
Room: Missouri Ballroom A
Assessment in Early Childhood Education is a very important part of administering programs for young children.
While the word assessment may seem daunting to many, it is important to keep in mind that it is simply a process
by which information is gathered about children from several sources, then organizing and interpreting that
information in order to make decisions about a child’s development and learning (McAfee, Leong and Bodrava,
2004). This presentation will provide a general overview about assessment practices, types of assessments and its
importance, as well as its challenges, for teachers and providers. A strong focus will be placed on the importance
of observations, which when used effectively in early childhood settings, can help teachers and providers
objectively measure a child’s progress and acquisition of skills. The use of several observational methods and tools,
including Teaching Strategies Gold, will also be explored.
Lakota Language Nest
Presenter: Tipiziwin Young
Room: Missouri Ballroom C
Tipiziwin will share an extensive history of the Lakota Language Nest, a full Lakota language immersion school
located within the boundaries of the Standing Rock Reservation in Fort Yates, North Dakota. Lessons learned in the
two and a half years of operation and plans for future expansion of this innovative program will be discussed.
Bright & Early North Dakota
Presenter: Erica Kindem
Room: Missouri Ballroom Main
Quality. Kids feel it. Parents value it first. Boosting your program quality just got easier with Bright & Early North
Dakota, a voluntary program that helps child care and early childhood programs improve quality and school
readiness. Learn how programs can receive support through one-on-one coaching and trained consultants, grant
dollars for educational toys and materials, and bonuses for achieving program goals. Additionally, participants will
learn about the four elements for operating a quality child care or early childhood program. Note: This session is
for DHS licensed child care and preschool programs.
Successful Pre-kindergarten Program
Presenter: Dawnae Lee
Room: 2nd Floor 2130
Learn from a 20-year veteran teacher who has worked in a public pre-kindergarten program in the Underwood
Public School District. Challenges and successes will be discussed and there will be time for questions.
Session Four
3:15 PM – 4:30 PM
Developing Active Children and Adventurous Eaters
Presenters: Krystle McNeal & Deanna Askew
Room: Governor’s Room
Across the state of North Dakota, healthy living initiatives are at work in early childhood education settings to
encourage teachers and providers to promote healthy eating and physical activity habits during children’s
formative years. Two of these initiatives, “Healthy Eating and Active Play” and “Childcare Alive!” have made
significant impacts on child care providers by using trained consultants who help providers assess their setting and
determined which areas they would like to improve. Learn more about the training and technical assistance to
make positive health changes in children, early on, that could last a lifetime.
Using the Pre-Kindergarten Standards to Plan for Individual Learners
Presenters: Janet Bassingthwaite & Tammy Brown
Room: Missouri Ballroom A
Participants will focus on using the North Dakota Pre-Kindergarten Content Standards to plan purposeful, relevant,
and developmentally appropriate experiences for individual children in their classrooms. Topics will include
planning environments, materials, and activities to ensure each learner in your classroom has opportunities to
support their individual needs. Early Childhood Special Education teachers will have the opportunity to discuss the
standards now uploaded in TIENET.
An Introduction to Early English Language Development
Presenter: Lodee Arnold
Room: Missouri Ballroom C
This presentation will provide an overview of the newly released Early English Language Development (E-ELD)
Standards which correspond to the WIDA ELD Standards and the ND Early Learning Guidelines. The presentation
will also provide basic information regarding the state’s ELL programs, resources available, and ways teachers can
support English language learners in a pre-kindergarten setting.
Positive Behavior Supports in an Early Childhood Setting
Presenter: Valerie Bakken
Room: 2nd Floor 2130
Participants will learn positive interventions for deterring inappropriate behaviors in an early learning
environment. This presentation will focus on identifying problematic behaviors and the context and environment
that enables and supports appropriate behavior in young children.
Networking: 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Room: Missouri Ballroom Main
This room is available for conference participants to engage in conversation with other early learning partners
from across the state.