Online Early Childhood Educator Training

Infants’ experiences early in life literally influence the physical structures of the brain, opening the way for patterns of thought and behavior for the rest of a child’s life. This 1-hour course addresses critical topics related to caring for the youngest and most vulnerable population of children, infants and toddlers.

Providing a broad overview of 4 main areas of child growth and development, this course offers practical tips on supporting children’s development. Key findings from brain research and its relevance to the care of young children is briefly explored, as well as the principles of Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP).

Emphasizing an environment where children construct their knowledge, this course explores the importance of environments, setting up environments, and selecting appropriate materials. Ways to integrate the indoor and outdoor learning environments to infuse the natural world into the learning experience are discussed.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) Code of Ethical Conduct serves as an excellent guide for interacting with children, families, colleagues and the community. This course provides an overview of the code, as well as practical tips to help you learn more about day-to-day use of the code.

Becoming an effective leader is an ongoing, life-long process of learning, trial and error, and reflection. Reflect on the five essential learning and life skills you currently possess and develop them to a higher level as you lead others in effective, high quality care of young children and their families.

Explore builders and barriers to social emotional development. Review the stages of social emotional development, the types and role of play, strategies for development of pro-social behavior and learn how to integrate songs and music experiences that enhance social emotional development.

When educators partner with children’s families, children are empowered to learn and grow. Discuss the growing complexity of families. Gain specific strategies for building trusting relationships and creating collaborative partnerships with families to build a solid educational foundation for children.

Each workplace interaction is an opportunity to build respectful professional relationships with parents and co-workers. Explore the causes of communication conflicts ,how to resolve them, and effective communication strategies to use with parents and co-workers.

Teachers encourage children to participate in experiences that actively engage them in communication, creativity, and problem solving. These core skills are critical in children’s cognitive development. Strategies for effective verbal interactions, encouraging problem-solving, and integrating the creative arts are explored.