June - Music & Movement
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2022b) states that daily physical activity is essential for growth and development in early childhood. Children demonstrate a natural inclination to move and engage with music through bouncing, clapping, and rocking as early as infancy, long before they can form words (Church, 2004). Music, when combined with movement, has many social, emotional, physical, and cognitive benefits that aid in early childhood development. Incorporating relevant activities into the classroom provides children the opportunity to discover their natural disposition to move as well as explore their imagination and creativity.
Daily Program for Infants and Toddlers
This course provides information on the stages of development and the basic needs of young children in nutrition, feeding, sleep, and toilet training. Participants will also be provided suggestions for appropriate play activities, toys, and a daily program schedule.
ELG - Infant, Toddlers and Twos
"Oklahoma Early Learning Guidelines for Infants, Toddlers and Twos were created to serve as a foundation to connect what is taught with what is appropriate for very young children. They also provide a framework to encourage consistency among early childhood programs across Oklahoma”. This course will provide participants with the tools to enhance learning experiences for Oklahoma’s youngest children and help administer a safe, nurturing and developmentally appropriate environment. “The Early Learning Guidelines provide examples of experiences that can be used to build relationships, develop purposeful play and guide program development”
ELG - Three to Five
The Oklahoma Early Learning Guidelines Ages Three through Five are intended to provide guidance to teachers regarding what children should know and be able to do to experience school success. The Early Learning Guidelines provide examples of activities and can be used to develop curriculum.” This course will provide participants with the tools to enhance learning experiences for Oklahoma’s children ages three to five and help foster opportunities for growth in all learning domains.
Directors of child care programs are as diverse as the children whom they serve. They are people with a heart for children and impeccable organizational skills. They often work over 50 hours a week and can relate well to children, staff, families, and licensing workers. Directors must be able to step in and teach classes, cook, do maintenance, and balance accounts. They are managers, coordinators, and mediators. Directors deserve the utmost respect of the community.
Directors of child care centers are responsible for implementing and maintaining the Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), which is called the Stars program in Oklahoma. In addition, they are responsible for hiring and retaining staff and for the public relations and marketing aspects of their child care program. Directors maintain the documentation needed for the Stars program and lead their staff in professional development, establishing a Registry ID, and maintaining a current Professional Development Ladder (PDL) with the Oklahoma Professional Development Registry (OPDR)
Engaging Staff
This course will identify strategies to understand multigenerational staff by taking a deeper dive into how to form bonds within a team and understand different communication styles to better engage with employees. Additionally, directors will identify their leadership style and ways to become an engaged leader. Participants will walk away understanding other influences on motivation and learning strategies to engage staff members.