Training Topics

Understanding Challenging Behavior

Understanding Challenging Behavior is a practical training for early childhood providers that builds insight into why young children display challenging behaviors and how to respond effectively. Participants will explore the developmental, environmental, and emotional factors that influence behavior; learn to identify underlying needs; and gain strategies for prevention and positive guidance. The training emphasizes supportive, relationship-based approaches that promote self-regulation, social-emotional growth, and inclusive classroom environments.

Temperament-Focused Behavior Solutions

This training will offer teachers a framework for understanding children’s behavior and how adults can support all children in a diverse classroom. We will learn about different temperament types and identify the strengths and challenges of each different temperament. Participants will learn practical strategies for observing temperament, adapting environments, and responding to challenging behaviors in ways that honor each child’s individual differences. We will also reflect on how our own temperament impacts our approach and discuss strategies for increasing the goodness of fit in our relationships.

Brain-Based Responses to Challenging Behavior

Challenging behavior can be extremely frustrating, especially when our usual tricks aren’t working. In this training, we will peek into the brains of children whose behavior adults find challenging and discover how their nervous systems may be driving their behavior. Then, through this new lens, we will explore brain-based approaches to prevent and address challenging behavior. We will also consider how our own nervous systems might be working against us during these moments and discuss ways to keep ourselves regulated in order to respond more helpfully to challenging behaviors.

Supporting Successful Transitions

Transitions are one of the most challenging times of day in an early childhood program and are a prime time for challenging behavior. This session provides practical strategies to help children move smoothly between daily routines and activities. Participants will learn why transitions can be challenging, how to reduce stress and disruptions, and how to use visuals, routines, and playful strategies to promote calm, confident transitions for all learners.

Promoting Early Literacy Development

How do we offer the most effective early literacy practices in the early childhood setting? How can we use our everyday activities to best promote essential early literacy skills for each and every child? Through modeling, hands-on activities, and discussions we will learn about what research says are the most important things we can do to promote early literacy skills and practice ways to implement these strategies every day into our work with young children.

Basic Specialized Care

Basic Specialized Care is a six-hour introductory training for early childhood and afterschool professionals who serve vulnerable children and their families in regulated child care and afterschool settings. This training is one of the requirements to become a Specialized Child Care Provider in Vermont. Topics covered include caregiving together with families; child abuse, neglect, and trauma; understanding differences in development; and understanding children's behavior. You must attend all 6 hours for successful completion.

Custom Trainings

Collaboratively-designed custom trainings to meet the specific need of your program or group.