Block play is a foundational early childhood activity that encourages cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development. Using blocks, children engage in play that nurtures their problem-solving abilities, fine and gross motor skills, and understanding of spatial relationships. We will begin with the benefits of block play and discuss how to prepare the learning environment for block play. Then, we will explore how to support children during block play and discuss deeper engagement in block play.
CDA Areas: 1, 2, & 3
VELDS: Approaches to Learning
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
Pre-K: Instructional Learning Formats
Instructors: Stephanie Barker and Leah Pagala
Date: Tuesdays, 9/2 & 9/9
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Join us as we explore how picture books featuring emotionally expressive male characters can be powerful tools for children to recognize, name, and express their emotions in healthy ways. We will examine how stories can challenge traditional gender norms and offer children positive male models of emotional courage, vulnerability, and empathy. Educators will learn to plant the seeds of emotional awareness and resilience — while fostering inclusive emotional growth for all children in their care.
CDA Areas: 2, 3, & 8
VELDS: Social and Emotional Development and Communication, Language and Literacy Development
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Emotional Behavior Support
Pre-K: Emotional Support
Dimension(s):
Infant: Relational Climate
Toddler: Positive Climate
Pre-K: Positive Climate
Instructor: Leah Pagala
Date: Tuesday, 9/2
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Discover how to create authentic house corners. We explore the importance of creating an authentic home corner in early childhood classrooms. We will delve into the key elements of a successful home corner, including realistic furniture, meaningful props, and opportunities for imaginative play. Participants will learn practical strategies for incorporating diverse family structures and cultural representations within the home corner to foster inclusivity and respect for all children.
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: Tuesdays, 9/2 & 9/9
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Start your leadership journey by understanding and addressing challenging behavior. Part 1 of this three-part series invites early childhood leaders to begin the critical work of addressing challenging behavior through the lens of leadership. This course focuses on building self-awareness, clarifying leadership identity, and developing a shared understanding of challenging behavior. Participants will engage in readings, videos, live sessions, and earn up to 4 additional hours of extended learning activities on the Canvas platform.
CDA Areas: 3, 6, & 8
VELDS: Approaches to Play and Learning, Social and Emotional Development
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Emotional and Behavioral Support
PreK: Emotional Support
Dimension(s):
Infant: Relational Climate Toddler: Positive Climate
PreK: Positive Climate
Instructor: Bernice Mayfield & Deborah Weigand
Date: Wednesdays, 9/3, 9/10, 9/17, & 9/24
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Sustained shared thinking involves educators and children engaging in extended, collaborative conversations where both parties actively contribute to exploring ideas, solving problems, or clarifying concepts. This powerful approach goes beyond simple questioning, fostering deeper cognitive engagement and promoting children's critical thinking and language development. By actively listening, asking open-ended questions, and building upon children's contributions, educators create rich learning opportunities that significantly enhance the development of young children.
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, 9/4 & 9/11
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
This four-part series supports educators in understanding the WHY and HOW of observation. Educators will explore the critical connection between observation, goal setting, and lesson planning for infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children. Each session will provide strategies and reflective opportunities to help teachers use observation meaningfully to support individual child development and classroom planning.
This series will be delivered through weekly Teams classes from 7:00–8:30 PM and online content in Canvas.
CDA Areas: 5 & 6
VELDS: Approaches to Learning; Social and Emotional Development; Cognitive Development; Communication, Language, and Literacy Development
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Emotional and Behavioral Support, Engaged Support for Learning
PreK: Emotional Support, Classroom Organization, Instructional Support
Dimension(s):
Infant: Relational Climate, Teacher Sensitivity, Facilitated Exploration, Early Language Support
Toddler: Positive Climate, Teacher Sensitivity, Regard for Child Perspectives, Behavior Guidance, Facilitation of Learning and Development, Quality of Feedback, Language Modeling
PreK: Positive Climate, Teacher Sensitivity, Regard for Student Perspectives, Behavior Management, Productivity, Instructional Learning Formats, Concept Development, Quality of Feedback, Language Modeling
Instructor: Joanna Parker
Date: Mondays, 9/8, 9/15, 9/25, & 9/29
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Children can understand language before they are able to speak. By using sign language and gestures, even very young children can learn to express themselves. These important communication skills help children manage frustration, build relationships, and help develop fine motor skills. We will explore how to introduce sign language and will explore a variety of 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, 9/16
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Messy play is an interactive and sensory-based activity which engages children in hands-on experiences with various materials that are messy, tactile, and sometimes even edible. The focus of messy play is to provide a stimulating and exploratory environment where children can freely explore, experiment, and learn through their senses. We will explore ways to create a safe environment for Infants, Toddlers, and Twos to benefit from these types of activities.
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, 9/18 & 9/25
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Begin your journey in Social-Emotional Learning with this 12-hour virtual course, the first step in the 48-hour Social-Emotional Competencies Certificate Program. You will explore how young children grow socially and emotionally and gain practical strategies to support their development through nurturing relationships and intentional teaching. Whether you're new to the field or looking to strengthen your skills, this course offers valuable tools to promote positive behavior and build meaningful classroom connections. Participants have the opportunity to earn 6 additional credit hours through extended learning.
CDA Areas: 2, 3, 7, & 8
VELDS: Approaches to Play and Learning, Social and Emotional Development, Communication, Language and Literacy
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Emotional and Behavioral Support
PreK: Emotional Support
Dimension(s):
Infant: Relational Climate
Toddler: Positive Climate
PreK: Positive Climate
Instructors: Bernice Mayfield & Deborah Weigand
Date: Thursdays, 9/18, 9/25, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, & 10/30
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Do you listen to what children are saying? We will explore the critical role of listening in early childhood education. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the various components of effective listening, including verbal and nonverbal cues, and how to apply these skills to create positive and responsive interactions with young children.
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: Tuesday, 9/23
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Movement is one of the first ways children interact with the world, such as when a baby turns their head to look at something. We will review typical gross motor development and how to support the development of motor skills in all children. We will talk about the many benefits of big body movement in early childhood settings and how movement can be integrated into all parts of an early childhood curriculum.
CDA Areas: 2 & 8
VELDS: Health and Physical Development
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: Stephanie Barker
Date: Tuesday, 9/23
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Although it is appropriate for infants and toddlers, biting can be one of the most challenging behaviors for educators. Biting can bring big responses in adults, and working through these feelings is the first step to supporting children who bite. In this course, we will reflect on our feelings about biting and discuss why we might feel this way. We will discuss and review why children bite and how to determine why a child might be biting. We will explore strategies to prevent biting and investigate how to support children who bite move from biting to other, more socially appropriate behaviors.
CDA Areas: 3
VELDS: Social and Emotional Development
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Emotional and Behavioral Support
Dimension(s):
Infant: Teacher Sensitivity and Early Language Support
Toddler: Behavior Guidance
Instructor: Melody Passemante Powell
Date: Thursday, 9/25
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
This is an opportunity to learn more about the Introduction to Early Childhood Certificate program and to connect with other educators. This month, we will be exploring what it looks like to support children's ability to connect, regulate, communicate, and thinkand how this relates to the CLASS tool.
CDA Areas: 2 & 3
VELDS: Approaches to Learning; Social and Emotional Development; Cognitive Development; Communication, Language, and Literacy Development; Health and Physical Development
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Emotional and Behavioral Support, Engaged Support for Learning
PreK: Emotional Support, Classroom Organization, Instructional Support
Dimension(s):
Infant: Relational Climate, Teacher Sensitivity, Facilitated Exploration, Early Language Support
Toddler: Positive Climate, Teacher Sensitivity, Regard for Child Perspectives, Facilitation of Learning and Development, Language Modeling
PreK: Positive Climate, Teacher Sensitivity, Regard for Student Perspectives, Instructional Learning Formats, Concept Development, Language Modeling
Instructor: Joanna Parker
Date: Saturday, 9/27
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Pennino Building (12011 Government Center Pkwy, Fairfax, VA – Room 206)
Children's books offer many opportunities for young children to move and sing. During this session, we will go beyond just reading a story; we will make it come alive with activities that are easy to put together and make for a memorable Storytime. A comprehensive list of books will be included, making it easier to choose books.
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 Formants
Instructor: Bronwyn Dean
Date: Tuesday 9/30
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Esta sesión está diseñada para apoyar a los educadores en la creación de ambientes de aula que prioricen la seguridad emocional, la conexión y un fuerte sentido de pertenencia. Los participantes reflexionarán sobre su rol en la co-creación de espacios sensibles y predecibles donde todos los niños se sientan vistos, apoyados y valorados. El curso integrará principios de interacción efectiva para reflexionar, dialogar y fortalecer relaciones positivas con los niños.
CDA Áreas: 3 y 4
VELDS: Desarrollo Socioemocional
Apoyo de CLASS
Dominio(s):
Bebé: Cuidado Sensible
Niño pequeño: Apoyo Emocional y Conductual
PreK: Apoyo Emocional
Dimension(es):
Bebé: Clima Relacional y Sensibilidad del Maestro
Niño pequeño: Clima Positivo, Sensibilidad del Maestro, y Consideración Hacia las Perspectivas del Niño
PreK: Clima Positivo, Sensibilidad del Maestro y Consideración Hacia las Perspectivas del Alumno
Instructora: Lisseth Palacios
Fecha: martes 2 y 9 de septiembre
Hora: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Esta sesión brindará a los educadores de infancia temprana una comprensión integral de las habilidades fundamentales necesarias para el desarrollo temprano de la escritura a mano. Los participantes explorarán las etapas del desarrollo de la escritura a mano, la importancia de la motricidad fina y estrategias prácticas para fomentar las habilidades emergentes de escritura en niños pequeños. Los educadores adquirirán herramientas y actividades valiosas para apoyar el desarrollo de la escritura a mano de los niños y sentar las bases para el éxito futuro en la lectoescritura.
CDA Áreas: 2
VELDS: Desarrollo de Comunicación, Lenguaje, y Alfabetismo
Apoyo de CLASS
Dominio(s):
Bebé: Cuidado Sensible
Niño pequeño: Apoyo Activo para el Aprendizaje
PreK: Apoyo Pedagógico
Dimension(es):
Bebé: Exploración Facilitada
Niño pequeño: Facilitar el Aprendizaje y el Desarrollo
PreK: Desarrollo de Conceptos
Instructora: Lisseth Palacios
Fecha: jueves 4 y 11 de septiembre
Hora: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
En esta sesión, los educadores de la infancia temprana aprenderán sobre el desarrollo y la importancia de las habilidades de funcionamiento ejecutivo en niños pequeños. A medida que los niños pasan a la etapa preescolar, se espera que demuestren habilidades de funcionamiento ejecutivo más complejas, como el autocontrol, la memoria, la planificación y la resolución de problemas. Esta capacitación proporcionará a los educadores herramientas prácticas para ayudar a los niños en edad preescolar a fortalecer estas habilidades, sentando las bases para el éxito académico, la competencia social y el bienestar emocional.
CDA Áreas: 2 y 3
VELDS: Enfoques de Juego y Aprendizaje y Desarrollo Socioemocional
Apoyo de CLASS
Dominio(s):
Bebé: Cuidado Sensible
Niño pequeño: Apoyo Emocional y Conductual y Apoyo Activo para el Aprendizaje
PreK: Apoyo Emocional y Apoyo Pedagógico
Dimension(es):
Bebé: Exploración Facilitada
Niño pequeño: Consideración Hacia las Perspectivas del Niño y Calidad de la Retroalimentación
PreK: Consideración Hacia las Perspectivas del Alumno y Calidad de la Retroalimentación
Instructora: Lisseth Palacios
Fecha: lunes 15 y 22 de septiembre
Hora: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
La mente en formación describe siete principios clave del desarrollo, habilidades esenciales para la vida que todo niño necesita aprender y practicar. En esta serie, examinaremos cómo el clásico libro infantil "Miss Rumphius" puede utilizarse para enseñar algunos de estos principios. Exploraremos consejos prácticos para que la lectura sea una experiencia de aprendizaje atractiva para los niños.
CDA Áreas: 2 y 3
VELDS: Enfoques de Juego y Aprendizaje y Desarrollo de Comunicación, Lenguaje, y Alfabetismo
Apoyo de CLASS
Dominio(s):
Bebé: Cuidado Sensible
Niño pequeño: Apoyo Activo para el Aprendizaje
PreK: Apoyo Pedagógico
Dimension(es):
Bebé: Exploración Facilitada
Niño pequeño: Facilitar el Aprendizaje y el Desarrollo
PreK: Calidad de la Retroalimentación
Instructora: Lisseth Palacios
Fecha: jueves 18 de septiembre
Hora: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Esta sesión invita a los educadores de la primera infancia a explorar el concepto de resiliencia como una capacidad personal y una necesidad profesional. Mediante la reflexión, herramientas prácticas y un diálogo guiado, los participantes profundizarán su comprensión de cómo la resiliencia contribuye a su bienestar y a sus interacciones con los niños en el aula. La sesión destaca el papel del autocuidado, la regulación emocional y la conexión como estrategias esenciales para el apoyo de los educadores en su labor diaria en programas de la infancia temprana.
CDA Áreas: 3, 5, y 6
VELDS: Desarrollo Socioemocional
Apoyo de CLASS
Dominio(s):
Bebé: Cuidado Sensible
Niño pequeño: Apoyo Emocional y Conductual
PreK: Apoyo Emocional
Dimension(es):
Bebé: Exploración Facilitada
Niño pequeño: Consideración Hacia las Perspectivas del Niño y Calidad de la Retroalimentación
PreK: Consideración Hacia las Perspectivas del Alumno y Calidad de la Retroalimentación
Instructora: Lisseth Palacios
Fecha: jueves 25 de septiembre
Hora: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
El Paseo de la Escucha (The Listening Walk) es un libro ilustrado sobre una niña que pasea con su papá y su perro por el vecindario. Mientras camina, escucha en silencio los ruidos que la rodean. Hablaremos sobre cómo usar el Paseo de la Escucha y otras historias para crear experiencias de lectoescritura para niños pequeños. También hablaremos sobre cómo incorporar rutinas, actividades de aprendizaje y participación familiar en las oportunidades de lectoescritura.
CDA Áreas: 2, 4, y 5
VELDS: Enfoques de Juego y Aprendizaje, Desarrollo de Comunicación, Lenguaje, y Alfabetismo.
Apoyo de CLASS
Dominio(s):
Niño pequeño: Apoyo Activo para el Aprendizaje
PreK: Apoyo Pedagógico
Dimension(es):
Niño pequeño: Facilitar el Aprendizaje y el Desarrollo y Modelar el Lenguaje
PreK: Desarrollo de Conceptos y Modelar el Lenguaje
Instructora: Lisseth Palacios
Fecha: martes 30 de septiembre
Hora: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
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