1. Healthcare

st
41 Annual
Early Childhood Conference
Saturday, January 31, 2015
8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Crowne Plaza – Grand Rapids
5700 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
A World to Explore Indoors, Outdoors and Beyond!
Conference sponsor:
Special thanks to: YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids
The Kent Regional 4C Board of Directors and Staff cordially invite you to attend the
41st Annual Early Childhood Conference
Schedule of Events
8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Exhibitors
8:00 am – 9:00 am
Registration/CEUs
9:00 am – 10:00 am
Session 1
10:10 am – 11:10 am
Session 2
Lunch A (11:20 am - 12:10 pm) OR Session 3 (11:20 am - 12:50 pm)
Lunch B (1:00 pm – 1:50 pm) OR Session 4 (12:20 pm – 1:50 pm)
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Session 5
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm
CEU sign out
* There will be a door prize drawing at each lunch period. You must be present to win.
The Crowne Plaza is located on 28th Street in Grand Rapids just east of I-96.
Make it
an
overnight
treat!
Staying at the Crowne Plaza?
If you would like to stay at the Crowne Plaza on Friday, January 30, contact the
hotel at 616-957-1770 and make a reservation. You are responsible for making
the reservation and paying any room fees. Refer to the conference when
making a reservation for a discount. The 3 letter group code is “KRC”. A
discounted rate of $89.00 is available on a first-come, first-served basis for
conference attendees who register their hotel room before January 5, 2015
Food Information
Coffee, tea, water and hot chocolate will be available at no cost in the morning at the conference.
A plated lunch is included in your registration for the conference.
Fill out the
Registration
Form Online
http://bit.ly/KR4C
conference2015
8:00 am – 9:00 am
Conference Registration
Check in to receive your name tag and
bag for the conference day. If you would
like to earn CEU credit for the
conference, you will need to arrive and
pay the $10 fee BEFORE 9:00am.
8:00 am – 4:00 pm Exhibitors
CEU Information
You may earn .5 Continuing Education Units (SB-CEUs) through Grand Valley
State University for attending this Kent Regional 4C Early Childhood Conference.
Bring $10.00 cash or check made out to Kent Regional 4C to the CEU sign-in
room before 9:00 am on the conference day to pay for CEUs.
You will be expected to attend five hours of training. You must attend entire
workshops for a total of 5 hours in order to earn .5 CEUs.
Session 1 - 9:00-10:00 am
1. A World to Explore: Indoors, Outdoors and Beyond
8. Moving and Literacy Learning
Every day and every season offers a world of exploration for a child.
There are hundreds of ways a child can explore his or her world!
We do not need to spend a mountain of money to make this
exploration possible.
Vickie Rick, Childcare Professional, Vickie's Village Day Care
Learn about literacy-rich movement activities that meet children's
craving for and need to move!
Melissa Buurstra, Early Childhood Specialists, Kent ISD and
Courtney Kavalhuna, Kent ISD
2. Back to School?!? Who, Me??
Learn how T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Michigan® can help you
reach your goal of earning college credits.
Erica Willard, T.E.A.C.H. Director, MiAEYC/ T.E.A.C.H. Early
Childhood Michigan®
3. Baby Brain: Making the Most of the First Three Years
85% of a child’s brain develops in the first three years and their
experiences – good and bad – hardwire the brain. In this highly
interactive session learn basic brain development, how negative
experiences and trauma harm brain development, and how to play a
positive role in building resilient, strong and healthy baby brains!
Lucy Joswick, Director of Education & Grants, and Heidi Czerwon,
Early Childhood Program Specialist, Family Futures
4. Every Family Ready to Play!
The library is a great place to borrow books AND all locations offer
fun-filled centers of learning activities. Understanding the importance
of play in literacy development and using national initiatives, GRPL
has created play spaces and incorporates play into many of its
children's programs.
Mary Davis, Librarian, Grand Rapids Public Library and Diana
Wenger, Librarian, West Leonard Branch Library
5. Great Start to Quality: My Journey Exploring the SelfAssessment Survey
9. No Such Thing As A Bad Kid: Understanding and
Responding to Challenging Behavior in the Classroom
and at Home
Identify signs of troubling behaviors in children, and learn ways to
encourage social-emotional growth and teach children how to selfmanage.
Gloria J. Sherman, M.Ed., LPC, School Counselor, Parent Educator
and Independent Consultant, Parenting and Teaching with G.L.O.,
LLC
10. Not Even One! Training to Prevent Child Sexual
Abuse
This workshop will assist childcare center administrators and care
providers in creating safe environments for employees and children
by increasing awareness of and adopting policies to prevent,
recognize, and respond to child sexual abuse and exploitation.
Amy Endres-Bercher, Kent County Health Department and Jennifer
Mckinstry, D.A. Blodgett St. John's, Health Educators
11. Screentime: The Whole Truth
Video games, apps and television have become a normal part of a
child's day starting at a young age. How does all that screentime
affect a child's brain development and physical development? Is too
much screen time a bad thing, or will it give them a competitive
edge?
Kim DeLaFuente, Community Health Educator, Spectrum Health
Door Prizes will be awarded as you listen to three home providers
who are participating in the Great Start to Quality Stars program.
Learn why you should consider participating: the financial benefits,
the prestige, and the consultation to improve your quality.
Sarah Otis and Silvia Zilleruelo, Great Start to Quality Kent
Resource Center
12. 7 Common Daycare Dangers
6. Introducing Natural Play Elements to Infants and
Toddlers
13. Stress Less with Laughter
Learn how to make natural play for infants and toddlers safe, fun
and easy!
Kelly Ashley, Regional Director, Lighthouse ELA
7. Life In Colors
An introduction to personality typing using the four “color types” to
promote understanding of children. Use this information to develop
positive relationships with the families in your child care program.
Based on the book, Life in Colors by George Boelke.
Staci Haarer, Educational Consultant, Usborne Books & More
2
Learn about the 7 Most Common Childcare Dangers and how to
avoid these common hazards.
Dan Fullenkamp, Loss Prevention Specialist, West Bend Mutual
Insurance and Tami Pohl, Senior Regional Sales Manager, Territory
Manager
Experience laughing for the health of it. Learn the physical, mental
and social benefits of laughter and ways to include more laughter in
your life!
Holly Tiret, Extension Educator, MSU Extension
Session 2 - 10:10-11:10 am
14. A World to Explore: Indoors, Outdoors and Beyond
Every day and every season offers a world of exploration for a child.
There are hundreds of ways a child can explore his or her world!
We do not need to spend a mountain of money to make this
exploration possible.
Vickie Rick, Childcare Professional, Vickie's Village Day Care
15. Baby Brain: Making the Most of the First Three Years
85% of a child’s brain develops in the first three years and their
experiences – good and bad – hardwire the brain. In this highly
interactive session learn basic brain development, how negative
experiences and trauma harm brain development, and how to play a
positive role in building resilient, strong and healthy baby brains!
Lucy Joswick, Director of Education & Grants, Family Futures and
Kelsey Rondeau, Family Futures
16. Busting Boredom by Incorportating Teachers'
Interests
Are you feeling stuck in a rut? Are the children you care for acting
out or asking for something new to do? Why not introduce one of
your hobbies or interests to your classroom?!? Join us for a look into
our hobbies and interests and how we can bring them into our care
setting sparking new interest for both teachers and the children too!
Shannon Brown, Early Childhood Professional
17. CDA Tips, Tricks and T.E.A.C.H.
Join us to learn tips and tricks to earn your CDA. Hear about
available T.E.A.C.H. scholarships to support the expenses that go
along with earning a CDA credential.
Erica Willard, Director T.E.A.C.H., MiAEYC/ T.E.A.C.H. Early
Childhood Michigan®
18. Creating Breastfeeding-Friendly Child Care
Support breastfeeding relationships in your program! Examine
differences between breastfed babies and non-breastfed babies.
Review guidelines for handling, storing, and feeding mother's milk.
Jenn Seif, Certified Doula
19. Developing Phonological Awareness in Pre-Readers
This session decribes ways to integrate phonological awareness
activities every day. Review materials to support phonological
awareness through play and techniques to intentionally teach
phonological awareness. Leave with strategies and tactics you can
use tomorrow.
Amy Barto, Community Outreach Director, SLD Read
20. Emergency and Critical Incident Planning for Early
Childhood Educators
The presenter will assist participants in the development of a plan,
and discuss techniques to train staff in emergency preparedness
and response to critical incidents.
Jason Russell, President and CEO, Secure Education Consultants
21. Great Start to Quality – The Game where you are the
STAR!
Win prizes as you play the Great Start to Quality game. Visit each
station to understand different aspects of early childhood learning
and a high quality ways of running your family or group home child
care.
Tori Stafford and Jamie Mueller, Great Start to Quality Kent
Resource Center
22. Introducing Natural Play Elements to Infants and
Toddlers
Learn how to make natural play for infants and toddlers safe, fun
and easy!
Kelly Ashley, Regional Director, Lighthouse ELA
23. No Such Thing As A Bad Kid: Understanding and
Responding to Challenging Behavior in the Classroom
and at Home
Identify signs of troubling behaviors in children, and learn ways to
encourage social-emotional growth and teach children how to selfmanage.
Gloria J. Sherman, M.Ed., LPC, School Counselor, Parent Educator
and Independent Consultant, Parenting and Teaching with G.L.O.,
LLC
24. Stress Less with Laughter
Experience laughing for the health of it. Learn the physical, mental
and social benefits of laughter and ways to include more laughter in
your life!
Holly Tiret, Extension Educator, MSU Extension
25. Taking Care of the Caregiver
Working with families and children can be very stressful. This
workshop will provide information on ways to handle stress after
identifying areas of personal stress.
Anne King, Consultant, Prevention Educator
26. Top Ten Tips for Terrific Transitions
Transitions can be the trickiest times of day. Learn ways to manage
behavior while making the most out of your day by keeping children
engaged, moving, and learning!
Gina Dobberstein and Amy Kerkstra, Early Childhood Specialists,
Kent ISD
3
Session 3 - 11:20-12:50 pm You will choose one Session 3 OR 4 workshop
If you choose a Session 3 workshop, you will automatically have Lunch B 1:00-1:50 pm
27. Alternatives to Anger for Parents & Caregivers;
RELAX
31. Music and Movement with Sign Language: a HandsOn Workshop
Review developmental stages of self-control and emotional literacy
in children. Learn activities and techniques to support socialemotional development that reduce stress and anger, improve
communication skills and ways to make positive behavior changes.
Gail Innis, Extension Educator, MSU Extension
Take any song and incorporate sign language-based movements to
make them interactive for children. This is fun and also aids the
children's memory of the words by utilizing another learning
modality! If you have a laptop, please bring it!
Kevin Kammeraad, Children's Author & Artist, Cooperfly Creative
Arts and Stephanie Kammeraad, Educator
28. Eco-Healthy Child Care
This presentation will address common hazards found in child care
environments and provide child care facilities with the information
necessary to become a certified Eco-Healthy Child Care.
Courtney Myers-Keaton, Program Manager, Healthy Homes
Coalition of West MI
32. The Power in Family Traditions
29. Engaging Environments
33. Speech and Language Development and Indicators of
Delay
Keep your children engaged in rich explorations that extend to the
outdoors. Find ways to make the best use of the space available to
you.
Amy Kerkstra and Gina Dobberstein, Early Childhood Specialists,
Kent ISD
30. Let's Get Physical With Zoo-phonics®!
Family traditions are the glue that binds a family together. This
workshop will explore the value of tradition as well as describing
different kinds of traditions.
Anne King, Consultant, Prevention Educator
Learn typical speech and language development and identification
of 'red flags' in language and social-affective skills related to current
research. Discover methods universal to prevention of language
delay, including aspects of culture, parenting, and socialization.
Denise Ludwig, Associate Professor, GVSU and Justine Koglin and
Katherine Wheeler, GVSU
Learn the basics of the Zoo-phonics® program through a hands-on
presentation. Participants will be given materials to take home and
an opportunity to participate in the physical aspect of this unique
methodology.
Charmaine Turpin, Educational Consultant, ZOO-PHONICS INC
Session 4 - 12:20-1:50 pm You will choose one Session 3 OR 4 workshop
If you choose a Session 4 workshop, you will automatically have Lunch A 11:20-12:10 pm
34. Building Assets in Our Children
37. Safe Sleep Environments for Infants
Assets are character traits that strengthen a child's resiliency and
social-emotional skills. This workshop explores the importance of
building assets and the relationship between asset building and
caring for children.
Terry Clark-Jones MS CFLE, Extension Educator, MSU Extension
This educational and interactive workshop reviews current
information about infant death due to unsafe sleep environments;
the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendations for infant
safe sleep; and what is happening locally, across the state and
nationally on the topic.
Bonita Agee, BS, Strong Beginnings Education Coordinators,
Presenting on behalf of the Healthy Kent Safe Sleep Coalition
35. The Power of Positive
Positive behavior recognition is the most effective tool to impact
behavior. Learn the latest statistics, how to implement, and creative
methodologies to positively impact student behavior.
Rebecca Rosher and Janet Milanowski, PBIS Consultants, Grand
Rapids Public Schools
36. Raising Self-Reliant Children Who Can Survive,
Bounce Back and Thrive in an Ever-Changing World
Today's children face a great deal of stress. Without healthier
solutions they often cope by talking back, giving up or indulging in
unhealthy behaviors. Learn ways to provide children with healthy
coping strategies.
Gloria J. Sherman, M.Ed., LPC, School Counselor, Parent Educator
and Independent Consultant, Parenting and Teaching with G.L.O.,
LLC
4
38. Great Start to Quality – The Game where you are the
STAR!
Win prizes as you play the Great Start to Quality game. Visit each
station to understand different aspects of early childhood learning
and a high quality ways of running your family or group home child
care.
Tori Stafford and Jamie Mueller, Great Start to Quality Kent
Resource Center
39. Supporting LGBT Families and Gender-Role
Diversity in Your Child Care Program
Learn ways to support LGBT families to promote non-gender
stereotypes and discover ways to handle related challenges
respectfully. Best practice for education and early childhood mental
health, from NAEYC and other research will be discussed. A
question-and-answer period is included.
Dr. Matthew Clark, The Clark Institute/Human Resource Associates
Session 5 – 2:00-3:30pm
40. Alternatives to Anger for Parents & Caregivers;
RELAX
47. Music and Movement with Sign Language: a HandsOn Workshop
Review developmental stages of self-control and emotional literacy
in children. Learn activities and techniques to support socialemotional development that reduce stress and anger, improve
communication skills and ways to make positive behavior changes.
Gail Innis, Extension Educator, MSU Extension
Take any song and incorporate sign language-based movements to
make them interactive for children. This is fun and also aids the
children's memory of the words by utilizing another learning
modality! If you have a laptop, please bring it!
Kevin Kammeraad, Children's Author & Artist, Cooperfly Creative
Arts and Stephanie Kammeraad, Educator
41. Building Assets in Our Children
Assets are character traits that strengthen a child's resiliency and
social-emotional skills. This workshop explores the importance of
building assets and the relationship between asset building and
caring for children.
Terry Clark-Jones MS CFLE, Extension Educator, MSU Extension
48. The Power of Positive
Positive behavior recognition is the most effective tool to impact
behavior. Learn the latest statistics, how to implement, and creative
methodologies to positively impact student behavior.
Rebecca Rosher and Janet Milanowski, PBIS Consultants, Grand
Rapids Public Schools
42. Children of Character
We will look at the history of "character" and how todays' schools
and communities face challenges in supporting children learning
ethical behavior and respect for each other, staff and property. As
professionals we have an opportunity to help chidlren develop solid
character to carry them through life. Learn how you can make a
difference!
Vickie Rick, Childcare Professional, Vickie's Village Day Care
43. Encouraging Early Language in Your Child Care
Setting
Research tells us that child care provides frequently-used language
to direct children's behavior. This workshop looks at ways to
increase interaction and encourage early language. Learn red flags
for language delay, the importance of being responsive, and ways to
build language into everyday routines.
Joyce Irvine, Speech Language Pathologist, Ken-O-Sha Center at
VanAuken and Jennifer Leech, Ken-O-Sha Center at Campus
49. Raising Self-Reliant Children Who Can Survive,
Bounce Back and Thrive in an Ever-Changing World
Today's children face a great deal of stress. Without healthier
solutions they often cope by talking back, giving up or indulging in
unhealthy behaviors. Learn ways to provide children with healthy
coping strategies.
Gloria J. Sherman, M.Ed., LPC, School Counselor, Parent Educator
and Independent Consultant, Parenting and Teaching with G.L.O.,
LLC
50. Schematic Thinking
Schematic thinking can help children connect information and
visualize the "whole picture." Learn how schematic thinking impacts
the thinking and learning processes of children.
Kim Harris, Vice President, Grand Rapids Academic Enrichment
Center of Innovations and Lillian Howell, GRAECI
44. Hassle-Free Feeding
51. Supporting LGBT Families and Gender-Role
Diversity in Your Child Care Program
Picky eating, under-eating and overeating can lead to conflict in the
home and childcare setting. Learn the tools to help children eat the
right amount and learn to like a variety of foods.
Mary DeWys, RN,BS,CIMI, Infant Development and Feeding
Specialists, Hassle Free Feeding: A Division of Harmony Through
Touch and Lisa Van Dyke, MS, RD, Spectrum Health
Learn ways to support LGBT families to promote non-gender
stereotypes and discover ways to handle related challenges
respectfully. Best practice for education and early childhood mental
health, from NAEYC and other research will be discussed. A
question-and-answer period is included.
Dr. Matthew Clark, The Clark Institute/Human Resource Associates
45. Let's Get Physical With Zoo-phonics®!
52. Who is Telling the Story? Cultivating Healthy
Development in a Media Saturated World
Learn the basics of the Zoo-phonics® program through a hands-on
presentation. Participants will be given materials to take home and
an opportunity to participate in the physical aspect of this unique
methodology.
Charmaine Turpin, Educational Consultant, ZOO-PHONICS INC
46. Messy Play For Growing Minds
During this play workshop we'll discuss the importance of messy
play in child development and share ideas on how to explore messy
play in your home/classroom.
Robert Dean, Executive Director and Education Manager, Grand
Rapids Children's Museum and Jessica Barton, Grand Rapids
Children's Museum
5
Media and marketing have profound effects on the brain and identity
development. Learn conversation starters and practical tips to
counter the disquieting trends in market-driven narratives directed at
children. Promote healthy early development through the power of
media literacy, active learning, and multi-sensory experiences.
Mindy Holohan, Early Childhood Educator and Graduate Student
WMU Family & Consumer Science
Exhibitors
Cooperfly Creative Arts
We are an independent publishing company and we sell
our children's books, music CDs, and puppets.
www.kevinkammeraad.com
Michigan Optometric Association
Information on child eye care and the InfantSEE
program - http://www.infantsee.org/
www.themoa.org
Discount School Supply
Early Childhood educational materials.
www.discountschoolsupply.com
Saniyas Collections
Handmade bags, scarves, jackets and accessories.
Discovery Toys
Educational toys, books and games.
www.discoverytoyslink.com/kathy_Kibby
Secure Education Consultants
SEC offers customized emergency planning and
training for Child cares and Schools.
www.SecureEd.com
ELR Handmade Soaps & Bath Products
Soaps, candles and bath products.
[email protected]
Great Start to Quality Kent Resource Center
Improving quality for child care one provider at a time.
www.kentresourcecenter.org
Great Start to Quality Western Resource Center
Information for child care programs and parents.
www.pathwaysmi.org
It Works
All natural health care products. Skin care line.
http://[email protected]
Kaplan Early Learning Company
Early childhood materials.
www.kaplanco.com
Mama-Lady Books
I sell multicultural children's books from many different
publishing companies.
www.mama-lady-books.com
MIAEYC/T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Michigan
Scholarships for CDA and College
www.miaeyc.org
6
Thirty-One Gifts
Purses, diaper bags, totes, organizational items, wallets
and thermals
www.mythirtyone.com/lindasys
Usborne Books & More
Award-winning children's books, matching grants,
reading incentive challenges
www.ItBeginsWithBooks.com
Whimsicality, LLC
Quality, educational wooden toys and Folkmanis
puppets.
www.whimsicality.com
WMAEYC
Western Michigan Association for the Education of
Young Children
Membership, t-shirts, pens, candy bars.
www.naeyc.org/membership/join
Select #235 WMAEYC for local
ZOO-PHONICS INC
Zoo-phonics kits and support materials including music,
stories and games. Teacher training available.
www.zoo-phonics.com
Registration Information

Register early. Capacity may be reached before the deadline.

Fill out the registration form online: http://bit.ly/KR4Cconference2015
You will not be registered until you have filled out the online registration form AND paid. If you do not have internet
access, call Ann at 616-451-8281 x232 to register over the phone.

Free for Kent Regional 4C CACFP Participants! Fees for non- KR4C CACFP Participants are below and listed on the online
registration form.

Registration includes 5 hours of training, morning beverages, lunch and a resource bag.

Sessions fill up quickly! Register and pay early to get your first choices.

There are no refunds due to prior cancellations, withdrawals or no shows.

When you fill out the online registration form, you will receive an email confirmation within 3 business days after payment is
received by Kent Regional 4C. If you do not choose workshop preferences, we will assign you to sessions that have openings.
You will be given session information on the day of the conference.

This conference is about children, not for them. It is for adults only, with the exception of breastfeeding infants.

Groups may register together and receive a discount on their fees. Students who register as part of a group must pay the
group rate. A separate registration form for each person in the group must be mailed together. Groups can submit registration
forms online if all the group members submit their form on the same day. The group will not be registered until payment is
received by Kent Regional 4C. You may send one or more checks to cover the cost.
5-9 people in group: $50.00 each

10+ people in group: $45.00 each
To pay: Make sure that the online registration form is complete.
Send your non-refundable check or money order payable to Kent Regional 4C to:
Kent Regional 4C
Attn: Conference Registration
233 East Fulton, Suite 107
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
To pay using a credit card, visit https://kentregional4cconference.eventbrite.com Additional processing fees will be charged for
this option.
Registration Fees
□ Kent Regional 4C Child & Adult Care Food Program Member (CACFP) Free
*Spouses and assistants of a CACFP member must register and pay the regular price.
□ Student fee $45.00
□ Member of
$55.00 (You must have a paid membership to Kent Regional 4C, AEYC, NAFCC, NCCCPA)
*Call 616-451-8281 x242 for more information about Kent Regional 4C membership.
□ Not a member $60.00
□ Group Rate –
5-9 people = $50.00 each person
7
10+ people = $45.00 each person