Click here for a printable version of Saturday's Schedule.
Closing General Session
8:30am - 9:45am
Keynote Address by Jack Hartmann
Let Music Make Learning Fun
Seminars (Choices 100-114)
10:00am - 12:00pm
100. Ten Things Families Need
Dr. Peggy North-Jones
We hear constant concerns from parents, educators, researchers and the media about the ways in which time, stress and lifestyles are impacting family life, and yet, it is difficult to know what needs to change. Early educators have a frontline view of the daily lives of children and families. Come join a discussion of what you probably are observing and changes that could help solve some of the issues families are facing today. (CC, CDG, SHCP, PAT, IWC, F&C, LEC, L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, I, T, PRE, K, PRI)
101. Cool Beats to Help Children Read
Jack Hartmann
Join Jack as he presents the coolest beats and songs kids love with research-based educational content to enhance any language, reading readiness or reading development program. Jack has the best music nursery rhymes anywhere, as well as teacher-friendly songs and movements for reading readiness and reading skill building. He will demonstrate the movements and show how to use them for learning in the classroom in this presentation full of pure music fun and educational activities! (CC, CR, IWC, LEC, L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, LIT, I, T, PRE, K, PRI)
102. WOW! That Was Cool, But What Does It Mean?: Engaging Young Children in Science through Hands-on, Minds-on Learning Experiences
Janet Rinehart & Debbie Wood
Many situations throughout children's daily lives provide opportunities for them to develop their scientific-reasoning skills to solve problems that are meaningful to them. Teachers need to take advantage of these opportunities for children to explore, predict and test their hypotheses to better understand their world. (CR, LEC, L1, L2, L3, L4, SCI, PRE, K)
103. Reframing Your Focus: Integrating the Standards in Everyday Practice
Kristin Cummings & Sarah Birk
Meet the MELS! Participants will have the opportunity to share in an overview of the newly revised Missouri Early Learning Standards. Topics covered will include ideas for suggested practice, coding for documentation and practical applications for teachers and parents. (A, CC, CD, CR, PAT, PC, SHCP, CGD, COA, IWC, F&C, HSN, LEC, PDL, PPD, L5, LIT, MAT, H&P, SCI, S&E, PRE)
104. A Unique and Fun Approach of Using American Sign Language with Young Children
Josephine Fritts & Steven Fritts
Is it possible for a 6 month old to tell you they want "milk"? How can a one year old ask for "more please" without using their voice? Ever wondered what teachers could do to help preschool children understand that "l-m-n-o-p" are actually letters and not a word? If any of these questions have ever crossed your mind, this is the presentation for you. Bring your questions and an open mind to this fun and interactive presentation that demonstrates how using American Sign Language with young children can help facilitate language. Be prepared to have fun! (CC, CD, CR, PAT, CDG, IWC, LEC, L1, LIT, H&P, S&E, I, T, PRE)
105. Got Education? What You Need to Know about Professional Development in Our Field
Beth Ann Lang & Penny Mosher
Uncertain about clock hours or credit hours? T.E.A.C.H. MISSOURI or a federal loan? CDA or AA or AAS? Come and discover what it all means, the resources available and the questions to ask to get the answers you need. Let us inform you and help you ask the questions you need to get the answers that will best assist you. (A, CC, PPD, PDL, L1, L2, L3, L4, I, T, PRE)
106. Incredible Insects
Betsy Blake & Pat Brown
Join us for fun activities, crafts, songs and stories that will enhance interest in the incredible world of insects. Explore insect sounds, feeding behavior and movement by rotating through discovery stations and participating in group activities. Take home activity ideas that are easily adapted to home or group meeting settings. (CD, CR, PAT, SHCP, IWC, LEC, PPD, L1, L2, L3, L4, LIT, MAT, SCI, T, PRE, K)
107. Emergent Math and Science: Block Play as Learning
Ronda Guth
Participants will have an opportunity to learn how block play supports emergent math and science skills, along with an understanding of how to help parents support their child's learning. During this hands-on presentation, participants will learn about new research, strategies and resources for block play. (CR, PAT, SHCP, L1, L2, L3, L4, MAT, SCI, I, T, PRE)
108. Holistic Approach to Guiding Visual Sensory Development
Dr. David Coleman & Dr. Jeffrey Coleman
Come and discover how functional vision and sensory development are integrated pieces to the puzzle of learning. This presentation will provide an understanding of the holistic approach to vision and its functional integration with other sensory systems of children and will explore the relationship of these things to development and learning. (CC, CD, CR, G, PAT, TP, CDG, COA, HSN, IWC, LEC, L5, I, T, PRE, K, PRI)
109. Nursery Rhymes Everywhere!
Dr. Amber Tankersley
Do your kids know the Muffin Man? Can they help Humpty? Nursery rhymes can be integrated throughout your early childhood classroom. This presentation will demonstrate how to incorporate nursery rhymes into all developmental domains. Hands-on learning and handouts will be provided. (CC, CD, CR, LEC, L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, LIT, MAT, H&P, SCI, S&E, PRE, K)
110. Core Beliefs of the Effective Leader - Inspiring Motivation and Commitment for Change
Sheryl Godsy
Who we are and what we believe about other people affects our relationships and interactions with staff. Explore your own beliefs about human nature and the Core Beliefs of Strengths-Based Coaching. Discover ideas for motivating and working with individual staff at their current level of experience and education. (A, PDL, L2, L3, L4, L5)
111. Preparing the Young Brain for Reading
Willy Wood
In this engaging presentation, brain-compatible teaching expert Willy Wood will share with you what cognitive neuroscience can (and can't) tell us about how the reading brain works. You will learn what parents and child care providers should focus on in the area of literacy and what they shouldn't focus on. Come to this presentation prepared to challenge some of the beliefs you may currently have about preparing young children to read. (A, CC, CR, PAT, CDG, IWC, L5, LIT, I, T, PRE, K, PRI)
112. Missouri Accreditation: How Do I Achieve It and Use the MARIT System?
Linda Dodd & Pamela Speer
Wondering how to achieve accreditation and cope with the review team visit? This presentation will demonstrate how to start, prepare and complete the accreditation process. It will also provide participants with step by step instructions for using the MARIT online application process. This will be a time to get all of your questions answered so that the process is much easier. (A, CC, CD, CR, SHCP, CDG, COA, F&C, HSN, IWC, LEC, PPD, PDL, L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, LIT, H&P, S&E, I, T, PRE, K, PRI)
113. Cooking Up Some Science Fun
Diane Miesner & Fred Miesner
Heat up the science area in your classroom with hands-on ideas to incorporate science throughout the year using exciting activities and recipes. See how to put every Missouri Pre-K Science Standard into action as you turn your students into paleontologists, entomologists, geologists and little scientists! (CC, CR, HSN, IWC, LEC, L1, L2, LIT, SCI, PRE, K, PRI)
114. Mouths in Motion
Melissa Finneseth & Tracy Halphin
The muscles we use for sucking, chewing and swallowing are the same muscles we use for speech. If a child is showing signs of speech delay in conjunction with drooling, overstuffing his/her mouth, gagging, being a picky eater or excessive chewing on objects, then we need to get that child's "mouth in motion"! Join us for a fun presentation of learning easy and fun ways to build muscle and make stronger brain/mouth connections through the use of toys, crafts, games, cues and songs. You will also receive a helpful packet of information with red flags in oral motor development, auditory and visual cues for speech and other tricks of the trade in speech pathology. (CC, CD, PAT, SHCP, I, T, PRE)