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NEIGHBORHOOD and COMMUNITY SERVICES
Early Childhood Professional Learning
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May 2025 Professional Learning
Below is information on upcoming virtual and in-person professional development opportunities. Detailed descriptions and registration information can be found at: fairfaxcounty.gov/EarlyChildhood. Monthly emails, including registration links, will be sent when registration opens.
To receive a certificate for in-person or webinar courses, please be sure to review the following requirements:
- To receive credit for a series with two meetings, you must attend both sessions.
- For series requiring three or four meetings, you must attend all sessions to receive credit.
- A 15-minute grace period is allowed; however, certificates will not be issued if you miss more than 15 minutes of the session.
- Certificates will be issued within 2-4 business days.
- If you can no longer attend a training you have registered for, please email NCSchildcareclasses@fairfaxcounty.gov before the scheduled date and time.
You can find references to the CDA Subject Area, Virginia Early Learning Development Standards (VELDS), and CLASS under each Professional Learning course. Additionally, a reference to the CDA Subject Area is included at the bottom of this email.
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This two-part training series is designed to equip early childhood educators with the essential skills and strategies for effective lesson planning. Educators will explore the foundations of developmentally appropriate practices (DAP) and learn to design lessons that align with children's developmental stages and interests. Participants will dive deeper into practical lesson planning, incorporating hands-on activities, sensory experiences, and inclusive practices that engage all learners. By the end of the series, educators will feel confident in creating engaging and effective lesson plans that support the holistic development of every child.
CDA Areas: 2,3, & 8
VELDS: Communication, Language, and Literacy Development
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Emotional Behavior Support
PreK: Emotional Support
Dimension(s):
Infant: Early Language Support
Toddler: Regard for Child Perspectives
PreK: Regard for Student Perspectives
Instructor: Leah Pagala
Date: Mondays, 5/5 & 5/12
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
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This training will equip ECE educators with the knowledge and skills to design and implement engaging outdoor sensory mud kitchens for young children. Participants will explore the developmental benefits of mud play, learn practical tips for setting up and maintaining a safe and stimulating mud kitchen space, and discover creative activities that foster exploration, imagination, and learning through sensory experiences. By the end of the session, educators will feel confident in integrating this valuable outdoor learning opportunity into their early childhood programs.
CDA Areas: 3
VELDS: Social and Emotional
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Engaged Support for Learning
PreK: Instructional Support
Dimension(s):
Infant: Facilitated Learning
Toddler: Facilitated Learning
PreK: Concept Development
Instructor: Bronwyn Dean
Date: Tuesdays, 5/6 & 5/13
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
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Children can understand language before they can speak. Even very young children can learn to express themselves by using sign languages and gestures. These important communication skills help children manage frustration, build relationships, and develop fine motor skills. We will explore how to introduce sign language and various signs that can be taught to young children.
CDA Areas: 2
VELDS: Communication, Language, and Literacy Development
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Engaged Support for Learning
Dimension(s):
Infant: Early Language Support
Toddler: Language Modeling
Instructor: Stephanie Barker
Date: Tuesday, 5/6
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
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In early childhood education, the environment is often called the "third teacher," playing a crucial role alongside educators and peers in shaping children's learning and development. This concept emphasizes the intentional design of physical spaces to be stimulating, engaging, and responsive to children's interests and needs. A well-planned environment fosters exploration, independence, and a sense of belonging, actively contributing to learning.
CDA Areas: 3
VELDS: Social Emotional
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Engaged Support for Learning
PreK: Instructional Support
Dimension(s):
Infant: Facilitated Exploration
Toddler: Facilitation of Learning and Development
PreK: Concept Development
Instructor: Bronwyn Dean
Date: Thursdays, 5/8, 5/15, & 5/29
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
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An equitable early childhood climate is where all children and adults are valued and supported. Children can learn about themselves, develop self-confidence, and build joyful relationships in this context. How do educators create an equitable learning climate? How do we create joyful experiences for every child? Can we objectively evaluate equity in our classrooms? We will explore these questions and give practical guidance to help your program embrace equity. This session we will focus on creating an environment that promotes racial equity.
CDA Areas: 6
VELDS: Approaches to Learning
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Emotional Behavioral Support
PreK: Emotional Support
Dimension(s):
Infant: Relational Climate
Toddler: Positive Climate
PreK: Positive Climate
Instructor: Stephanie Barker
Date: Thursday, 5/8
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
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Being responsible for talking with young children about such a nuanced and complex topic as death can be incredibly challenging. No two people process grief and death in the same way; the same goes for children. In this session, we will share what needs to be considered before talking with children about death and explore techniques and possible language that can be used to approach these critical conversations.
CDA Areas: 3, 4, & 8
VELDS: Social and Emotional Development
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Toddler: Emotional and Behavioral Support
PreK: Emotional Support
Dimension(s):
Toddler: Teacher Sensitivity, Regard for Child Perspectives
PreK: Teacher Sensitivity, Regard for Child Perspectives
Instructor: Melody Passemante Powell
Date: Thursday, 5/8
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
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Challenging behaviors can often occur in early childhood years, making it difficult for educators to respond. We will explore simple, strengths-based strategies that can be used to respond to and redirect challenging behavior. When children’s challenging behavior is addressed appropriately, children become emotionally aware problem solvers and continue to use those skills throughout life.
CDA Areas: 3 & 7
VELDS: Social and Emotional Development
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infants: Responsive Caregiving
Toddlers: Emotional Behavioral Support
PreK: Classroom Organization
Dimension(s):
Infants: Teacher Sensitivity
Toddlers: Behavior Guidance
PreK: Behavior Management
Instructor: Stephanie Barker
Date: Tuesdays, 5/13, 5/20, & 5/27
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
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Educators will explore the foundational aspects of executive functioning in infants and toddlers. Executive functioning skills begin to emerge in the first few years of life. We will explore practical strategies to support the early development of skills such as self-regulation, attention, and working memory. Educators will learn how to create supportive environments that nurture these skills, crucial for later learning and social development.
CDA Areas: 1, 2, 7, & 8
VELDS: Cognitive Development
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Engaged Support for Learning
PreK: Emotional Support, Classroom Organization
Dimension(s):
Infant: Teacher Sensitivity
Toddler: Positive Climate, Teacher Sensitivity
PreK: Positive Climate, Productivity
Instructor: Leah Pagala
Date: Wednesday, 5/14
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
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An equitable early childhood climate is where all children and adults are valued and supported. Children can learn about themselves, develop self-confidence and build joyful relationships. How do educators create an equitable learning climate? How do we create joyful experiences for every child? Can we objectively evaluate equity in our classrooms? We will explore these questions and give practical guidance to help your program embrace equity. This session will focus on creating an environment that promotes linguistic and cultural equity.
CDA Areas: 6
VELDS: Approaches to Learning
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Emotional Behavioral Support
PreK: Emotional Support
Dimension(s):
Infant: Relational Climate
Toddler: Positive Climate
PreK: Positive Climate
Instructor: Stephanie Barker
Date: Thursday, 5/15
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
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Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences is a powerful tool for early childhood educators. Not only does this theory help educators better understand their students, but it also helps them meet the various needs of the children in their classrooms. In this session, we will examine the eight intelligences outlined by Gardner and determine how to identify and encourage multiple intelligences in early childhood. Using ideas from Starting with Stories: Engaging Multiple Intelligences Through Children’s Books by Pam Schiller and Pat Phipps, we will explore how to engage multiple intelligences using children’s books. Finally, we will generate activities to pair with children’s literature based on the eight multiple intelligence styles.
CDA Areas: 2 & 8
VELDS: Approaches to Play and Learning
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
PreK: Engaged Support for Learning
Dimension(s):
PreK: Facilitation of Learning and Development
Instructor: Melody Passemante Powell
Date: Saturday, 5/17
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Burke Centre Library (5935 Freds Oak Rd, Burke, VA 22015)
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This training will empower ECE educators to explore the fascinating world of shadows and light with young learners, fostering their natural curiosity and developing their scientific thinking. Participants will discover engaging, hands-on activities that utilize readily available materials to investigate how light and shadow interact. By the end of this session, educators will feel confident in incorporating playful explorations of light and shadow into their daily curriculum, promoting observation skills and early STEM concepts.
CDA Areas: 3
VELDS: Social and Emotional
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Engaged Support for Learning
PreK: Classroom Organization
Dimension(s):
Infant: Facilitated Exploration
Toddler: Facilitation of Learning and Development
PreK: Instructional Learning Formats
Instructor: Bronwyn Dean
Date: Mondays, 5/19 & 5/26
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Step into the colorful world of children's literature in this engaging session for early childhood educators. We will introduce a curated selection of new and diverse children's books that inspire curiosity, imagination, and a love for reading. Discover books that reflect various cultures, experiences, and themes, offering rich opportunities for social-emotional learning, language development, and creative expression. Let's turn the page to a new chapter in early childhood education—one filled with vibrant books that captivate and inspire!
CDA Areas: 2,3, & 8
VELDS: Communication, Language, and Literacy Development
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Emotional Behavior Support
PreK: Emotional Support
Dimension(s):
Infant: Early Language Support
Toddler: Regard for Child Perspectives
PreK: Regard for student Perspectives
Instructor: Leah Pagala
Date: Monday, 5/19
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Culmore Community Library, 6101 Knollwood Dr, Falls Church, VA 22041
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Water play is an exciting and engaging activity for young children, especially during the summer months. It provides numerous learning opportunities, from enhancing sensory experiences to developing motor skills while promoting social interaction and creativity. By the end of the session, educators will be ready to implement fun, educational, and safe water play activities that support children's developmental needs.
CDA Areas: 1,2,3,4, & 8
VELDS: Approaches to Learning, Health and Physical Development, Cognitive Development
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Emotional Behavior Support
PreK: Emotional Support
Dimension(s):
Infant: Facilitated Exploration
Toddler: Facilitation of Learning and Development
PreK: Instructional Learning Formats
Instructor: Leah Pagala
Date: Wednesday, 5/21
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
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An equitable early childhood climate is where all children and adults are valued and supported. Children can learn about themselves, develop self-confidence and build joyful relationships in this context. How do educators create an equitable learning climate? How do we create joyful experiences for every child? Can we objectively evaluate equity in our classrooms? We will explore these questions and give practical guidance to help your program embrace equity. This session will focus on creating an environment that promotes equity for neurodiverse children.
CDA Areas: 6
VELDS: Approaches to Learning
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Emotional Behavioral Support
PreK: Emotional Support
Dimension(s):
Infant: Relational Climate
Toddler: Positive Climate
PreK: Positive Climate
Instructor: Stephanie Barker
Date: Thursday, 5/22
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
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This training equips early childhood educators with strategies to combine the power of picture books with outdoor play and nature walks. Picture books are a fantastic tool for sparking children’s imaginations. When paired with the great outdoors, they can inspire curiosity, enhance learning, and deepen children’s connection to the natural world. In this session, educators will explore using picture books as a springboard for outdoor exploration, incorporating storytelling and nature-based activities to foster environmental awareness, language development, and social skills in young children.
CDA Areas: 2,3, & 8
VELDS: Communication, Language, and Literacy Development
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Emotional Behavior Support
PreK: Emotional Support
Dimension(s):
Infant: Early Language Support
Toddler: Regard for Child Perspectives
PreK: Regard for student Perspectives
Instructor: Leah Pagala
Date: Tuesday, 5/27
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
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An equitable early childhood climate is where all children and adults are valued and supported. Children can learn about themselves, develop self-confidence, and build joyful relationships in this context. How do educators create an equitable learning climate? How do we create joyful experiences for every child? Can we objectively evaluate equity in our classrooms? We will explore these questions and give practical guidance to help your program embrace equity. This session will focus on creating an environment that promotes gender equality.
CDA Areas: 6
VELDS: Approaches to Learning
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Emotional Behavioral Support
PreK: Emotional Support
Dimension(s):
Infant: Relational Climate
Toddler: Positive Climate
PreK: Positive Climate
Instructor: Stephanie Barker
Date: Thursday, 5/29
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
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Early childhood educators will learn about the development and importance of executive functioning skills in preschool-aged children in this session. As children transition into preschool, they are expected to demonstrate more complex executive functioning abilities, including self-control, memory, planning, and problem-solving. This training will provide educators with practical tools to help preschoolers strengthen these skills, creating a foundation for academic success, social competence, and emotional well-being.
CDA Areas: 1, 2, 7, & 8
VELDS: Cognitive Development
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Engaged Support for Learning
PreK: Emotional Support, Classroom Organization
Dimension(s):
Infant: Teacher Sensitivity
Toddler: Positive Climate, Teacher Sensitivity
PreK: Positive Climate, Productivity
Instructor: Leah Pagala
Date: Thursday, 5/29
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
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Un proyecto es una exploración extensa y profunda que apoya las investigaciones de los niños sobre el mundo real. En este curso, los educadores aprenderán a iniciar proyectos de ciencia y naturaleza con niños. Practicarán, crearán e implementarán un proyecto basado en la naturaleza en su aula utilizando materiales abiertos y variados para fomentar la curiosidad y la participación de los niños durante la investigación.
Áreas de CDA: 5 y 8
VELDS: Enfoques de juego y aprendizaje; Desarrollo cognitivo
Apoyo de CLASS
Dominio(s):
Bebe: Cuidado Sensible
Niño pequeño: Apoyo Emocional y Conductual, Apoyo Activo para el Aprendizaje
PreK: Organización del Aula, Apoyo Pedagógico
Dimension(es):
Bebe: Exploración facilitada
Niño pequeño: Consideración hacia las perspectivas del niño, Facilitación del aprendizaje y el desarrollo, Calidad de la retroalimentación
PreK: Formatos didácticos para el aprendizaje, Desarrollo de conceptos
Instructora: Lisseth Palacios
Fecha: martes 6 y 13 de mayo
Hora: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
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El aprendizaje del lenguaje y la lectoescritura va más allá del abecedario. Son herramientas de aprendizaje y comunicación que los niños usan con personas importantes en sus vidas. En este curso, los educadores aprenderán componentes de la lectoescritura y estrategias prácticas que pueden implementar intencionalmente para fomentar el lenguaje y la lectoescritura en sus aulas.
Áreas de CDA: 2 y 8
VELDS: Desarrollo de Comunicación, Lenguaje, y Alfabetismo
Apoyo de CLASS
Dominio(s):
Bebe: Cuidado Sensible
Niño pequeño: Apoyo Activo para el Aprendizaje
PreK: Apoyo Pedagógico
Dimension(es):
Bebe: Exploración facilitada
Niño pequeño: Consideración hacia las perspectivas del niño; Facilitación del aprendizaje y el desarrollo, Calidad de la retroalimentación
PreK: Formatos didácticos para el aprendizaje, Desarrollo de conceptos
Instructora: Lisseth Palacios
Fecha: martes 15 y 29 de mayo
Hora: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
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Un proyecto es una exploración extensa y profunda que apoya las investigaciones de los niños sobre el mundo real. En este curso, los educadores aprenderán a iniciar proyectos de matemáticas con niños. Practicarán, crearán e implementarán un proyecto basado en números en su aula utilizando materiales abiertos y variados para fomentar la curiosidad y la participación de los niños durante la investigación.
Áreas de CDA: 5 y 8
VELDS: Enfoques de juego y aprendizaje; Desarrollo Cognitivo
Apoyo de CLASS
Dominio(s):
Bebe: Cuidado Sensible
Niño pequeño: Apoyo Emocional y Conductual, Apoyo Activo para el Aprendizaje
PreK: Organización del Aula, Apoyo Pedagógico
Dimension(es):
Bebe: Exploración facilitada
Niño pequeño: Consideración hacia las perspectivas del niño, Facilitación del aprendizaje y el desarrollo, Calidad de la retroalimentación
PreK: Formatos didácticos para el aprendizaje, Desarrollo de conceptos
Instructora: Lisseth Palacios
Fecha: martes 20 y 27 de mayo
Hora: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
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As valued members of a child’s development and care team, childcare specialists have an important and unique role in sharing information and resources with families to improve the health and wellbeing of children. Sometimes this can be more challenging for a variety of reasons. Our goal today is to offer some strategies and support when dealing with these discussions, so that you can feel more comfortable with honest dialogue with the caregivers who are most important to the children you care for. This will be a virtual discussion via teams. All participants are encouraged to participate in the discussion and share their experiences!
CDA Areas: 5
Instructors: Infant Toddler Connection
Date: Thursday, 5/8
Time: 7:00 p.m. 8:30 p.m.
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In this four-hour course participants will focus on programming, environment, and social interactions for school-age children. Through play, children learn about the world, themselves, and develop skills for life-long success. The environment provides a safe space for them to relax, the ability to explore and create and a place for a child's creativity, social interactions allow children to build relationships, create a sense of belonging and solve problems. Join us and explore your childcare center through the eyes of a school ager. Providers must attend both sessions to receive training credit.
A registration link for Part Two will be sent to your email once you have completed Part One. You must attend both sessions to receive a certificate.
CDA Area: 3
Instructors: Nathan Dally and Latisha Robinson
Date: Tuesday, 5/13 & 5/20
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
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Accessing special programs in Fairfax County: As a Fairfax County Childcare provider, you have access to many resources throughout Fairfax County that support children and families, from infancy through school-aged support. Join us for a brief introduction to a sampling of the many developmental and support programs available to Fairfax County residents and childcare providers. This will be a virtual discussion via teams. All participants are encouraged to participate in the discussion and share their experiences!
CDA Areas: 5
Instructors: Infant Toddler Connection
Date: Thursday, 5/15
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
After registering a Teams link will be sent via email
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The Marketing Your Business Using a Targeted Approach webinar will focus on cost-effective marketing tips to help you create a waiting list of clients and replace lost clients quickly. The webinar will also discuss the benefits of business cards, flyers, social media, and especially networking.
CDA Area: 5
Instructors: Kathryn Walker and Cindy Butler
Date: Wednesday, 5/21
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Invite will be sent via email
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