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Program
Second Annual Children First
Conference
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Ronald W. Reagan / Doral High School
www.elcmdm.org
office of
Learn Early. Learn for Life.
SUPPORTS THE
IMPORTANT WORK OF
Call 1.800.523.1490 or visit
www.ShopBecker.com
Sales Rep: Nick Becker
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Message from ELC Board Chair
Good Morning:
As the Board Chairman of the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe and on behalf of my fellow
board members, it is my pleasure to welcome you to our community’s Annual Children First Conference.
We hope that you will find the conference both enjoyable and valuable.
Over the next several hours you will hear from progressive and innovative presenters. You will have the
opportunity to learn from them and from others who, like you, are on this journey of educating young
minds and producing future leaders.
At the Early Learning Coalition we are committed to ensuring that all children have the benefit of highquality early learning experiences. Today’s conference is just one of the avenues through which we bring opportunities for
providers to learn and grow and take best practices back to the classroom.
As you return to your individual programs, we hope that the information you acquire today will be beneficial to you and to
the children and families that you serve.
The conference is also an excellent opportunity to network with other educators, so please take some time to meet new
colleagues and to have some fun. As we say in VPK, “it’s okay to play”.
Thank you and enjoy the conference
Sincerely,
Adrian Alfonso, Board Chair
Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe
2015 – 2016 Board of Directors
Chair
Adrian Alfonso, CPA
Vice Chair
Gilda Ferradaz
Treasurer
Robert Eadie
Secretary
Deputy Mayor Russell Benford
Directors
Magaly Abrahante, Ed.D.
Alan Eckstein, Esq.
J. Abilio Rodriguez, Ph.D.
Charles Auslander, Esq.
Shaleen Fagundo
Judy Schaechter, MD
Theresa Axford
Philip Gassman
Gerald K. Schwartz, Esq.
Roderick E. Beasley
Helene J. Good
Alexander Soto, MBA
Tina Carroll-Scott, MD
Gladys Montes
Mara Zapata, Ph.D.
Commissioner Heather Carruthers
Lucy C. Piñeiro, Esq.
President & CEO
Evelio C. Torres
Founding Chair
David Lawrence Jr.
PAGE 1
Message from President & CEO
Dear Early Care and Education Partners,
We thank you for joining us at our Annual Children First Conference, “Literacy is a Family Affair.”
Whether you are a new attendee or a returning participant, we look forward to sharing a day
exploring new ideas and learning cutting-edge information in early education. The knowledge
we will gain from the many workshops and inspirational speakers will prove to be invaluable in
improving classroom practice, bolstering family partnerships and supporting staff.
We would like to thank the presenters for sharing their expertise which enriches the learning and
instructional experience for children, providers and families. To the sponsors and partners, we
thank you for your gracious contributions that make this collaboration successful and instrumental in improving
education for our youngest learners. To our Keynote speaker, Phyllis C. Hunter, we thank you for your continued
commitment and keynote address.
We invite you to join us next year, the weekend of September 24th for our third annual conference, Children First:
Early learning. Lifelong success.
Thank you all for your efforts to provide children with a high-quality early education leading to lifelong success.
Sincerely,
Evelio C. Torres
President and CEO
Follow ELCMDM
on
The Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe
Would like to thank
Ronald W. Reagan/Doral
Senior High School
for their much appreciated partnership
in our Second Annual Children First
Conference
#CF2015
PAGE 2
Keynote Speaker
Phyllis C. Hunter’s passionate commitment to literacy and education is reflected in her proclamation of
a phrase that she coined, “Reading is the new civil right!” Mrs. Hunter is well-known as an international
educational consultant and author. In conjunction with Scholastic, Mrs. Hunter has published the Phyllis C.
Hunter Classroom Libraries and her most recent book, It’s Not Complicated! What I Know for Sure About Helping
our Students of Color Become Successful Readers. She is also a sought after speaker and motivator. Phyllis C.
Hunter was a featured speaker at this year’s International Literacy Association’s Conference in St Louis and has
been presenting to ILA audiences since 1997.
Before founding Phyllis C. Hunter Consulting, Inc. Mrs. Hunter served the educational community in a variety
of capacities, including Advisor to the President of the United States, Reading Manager under Rod Paige
(former Secretary of Education), and as an administrator with the Houston Independent School District,
where she managed the PrK-12 Reading Department for the district’s 282 schools. Additionally, Mrs. Hunter
has been an elementary school principal, a middle school assistant principal, a mentor teacher and a speech
and language therapist.
Mrs. Hunter served on the advisory board for the Broad Prize in Urban Education which awards the nation’s
largest yearly K-12 public education prize of 4 million dollars. She was also appointed to the advisory Board
of several National Literacy Organizations CORE, Consortium for Reading Excellence, the Neuhaus Education
Center, and the National Center for Family Literacy.
As the recipient of the 2002 Marcus Garvey Education of the Year award presented by the National Alliance
of Black School Educators, Mrs. Hunter is proud to have been honored by her peers. In 2009, Scholastic
Education presented Mrs. Hunter with the inaugural Heroes Award for her contributions to the field of
children’s literacy.
Mrs. Hunter was named a National Fellow of the Institute for Learning at the University of Pittsburgh and also
an executive board member of the Consortium for Policy Research in Education. She received her master’s
degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and certification in Educational Administration from the
University of California. Mrs. Hunter has acquired further studies at the Johns Hopkins University.
On a personal note, Mrs. Hunter founded The Black Like Me Museum of African American artifacts,
memorabilia and 6000 dolls of color which is the largest collection of its kind in the world and dedicated the
gallery to her late husband Mr. Andrew DeLeon Hunter. Mrs. Hunter’s only child, Dr. Andrew D. Hunter II, is a
practicing New York City physician.
PAGE 3
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Ronald W. Reagan/Doral High School
8600 NW 107th Avenue
Doral, FL 33178
for 6 in-service hours
Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives
and Program Development
Pamela Hollingsworth
Certificate of Participation
Evelio C. Torres
President and CEO
PAGE 4
Agenda
7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Registration (Exhibit Hall Open)
8:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Opening Session/Keynote
9:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Break
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Session 1
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Lunch/Exhibit Hall
12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Session 2
2:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Break
2:15 p.m. -3:45 p.m.
Session 3
3:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Break
4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
End Note (Exhibit Hall Closed)
4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
CEU Data Collection
Maps
First Floor
Second Floor
Building 1A
Building 1A
247 246 245 241 240 238 237 236 235
Auditorium
180
179 178 177
173
244
242
226
Library
225
Gymnasium
Exhibit
Hall
224
101 102 103 104 105
109
202
206
208
217
203 204 205 209 210 212 213 214 215
Registration
Building 1C
PAGE 5
Building 1B
Building 1B
Cafeteria
233
Learning Tracts
Learn Today to Teach Tomorrow
Administration &
Management
Administración &
Manejo
Arts
Artes
Advocacy &
Marketing
Promoción &
Mercadeo
Content Areas
Áreas de Contenido
Curriculum & Child
Assessment
Currículo & Evaluación
del Niño
Family Engagement
Participación de la
Familia
Health & Wellness
Salud & Bienestar
Infants & Toddlers
Bebés & Niños
Pequeños
Interactions &
Relationships
Interacciones &
Relaciones
The Children’s Trust salutes early childhood education professionals
who follow the path of life-long learning.
Language
Development
Desarrollo del Lenguaje
The Children’s Trust is a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum
to improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County...
Literacy
Alfabetización
Screening & Inclusion
Detección & Inclusión
Because All Children Are Our Children
CT 9891 Children's First Conference CMYK Program ad.indd 1
Social Emotional
Development
Desarrollo
Socioemocional
Technology
Tecnología
PAGE 6
8/26/2015 4:54:14 PM
Mary Samour and Esther Leny
Marante, United Way Center for
Excellence
Esta presentación extenderá
conocimientos sobre cómo fomentar
el desarrollo del lenguaje a través
de la alfabetización. Discutiremos la
importancia de dos idiomas y cómo
los padres pueden enriquecer el
vocabulario de los niños.
Programa de Lenguaje en Español
para Preescolares de Origen
Hispano
Aula 215 - Segundo Piso
El Camino a la Bi-Alfabetización:
Aprender a Leer y Escribir en Dos
Idiomas
Aula 240 - Segundo Piso
Carmen A. Medrano, The Children’s Forum;
Pilar Gomez, Gomez Family Child Care Home;
Gladys Reyes, Reyes Family Child Care Home
Ryan W. Pontier, Ph.D., Miami Dade
College
Los participantes compartirán
experiencias de leer y escribir con sus
niños y aprenderán sobre estrategias
para usar con ellos para apoyar el
desarrollo de la lectura y escritura
bilingüe.
Esta presentación analizará las
implicaciones de un estudio llevado a
cabo en el condado de Miami-Dade,
el cual implementa la comunicación
oral y un programa de alfabetización
diseñado para niños de herencia
hispana.
Promover el Interés por el Lenguaje
en los Niños
Aula 208 - Segundo Piso
Bienestar Socio/Emocional en la
Edad Temprana
Aula 217 - Segundo Piso
Desarrollo del Lenguaje y la
Comunicación
Aula 242 - Segundo Piso
Elizabeth Rodriguez, Maria Russo,
Nelly Palma y Carolina Yera,
Devereux Florida
Esta sesión ayudará a los educadores
y familias a promover el deleite
de los niños pequeños en hablar,
escuchar, pre-lectura y lenguaje,
proporcionando una variedad
de entretenidas experiencias de
lenguaje, interacciones y actividades.
Otilia Gonzalez-Varese, Early
Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/
Monroe
La audiencia aprenderá el impacto
que tiene el desarrollo socio/
emocional en la educación temprana
y tendrán mejor conocimiento de las
preocupaciones del desarrollo socio/
emocional de los niños de edad 0-3
años.
Paloma Lopez-Barcena, Early
Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/
Monroe
En este taller los participantes
aprenderán acerca del desarrollo de
la comunicación y del lenguaje en los
niños, así como diferentes actividades
para estimularlo y desarrollarlo.
La Importancia de la Observación en
la Educación Infantil
Aula 214 - Segundo Piso
La Importancia de la Práctica
Intencional : Como Observar para
Planificar
Aula 235 - Segundo Piso
Soraya Fernandez and Ana AvalosAtkinson, Family Central, Inc.
Esta presentación te ayudará a
entender la importancia de la
observación en la implementación
del currículo y como usar las
observaciones para planificar las
exploraciones en el aula pre-escolar.
PAGE 7
¡Fiesta de Pijama! - Pajama Party!
Aula 244 - Segundo Piso
Elizabeth Bezos, Michell Fuentes,
MSW, and Susan Galceran-Millan,
MSW, Citrus Health Network, Inc.
¡Es hora de dormir! Vamos a ponernos
nuestras pijamas y compartir un
buen libro. Aprenda como hacer una
actividad tipo “Pajama Party” en el
hogar, asi como en su centro infantil
con éxito.
10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Lilliana Gomez and Astrid Isom, Early
Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/
Monroe
En este taller aprenderá a desarrollar
estrategias educativas para el aula
basadas en sus observaciones diarias
Sesión 1 en Español
Estrategias Para Extender el
Vocabulario en los Ninos Bilingue
Aula 205 - Segundo Piso
Session 1
Integrating the Standards:
Phonological Awareness
Room 103 - First Floor
Child Screening, Intervention, and
Resources to Support Children
Room 173 - First Floor
Laura Delgado, Florida Department
of Education, Office of Early Learning
Participants will create a
developmentally appropriate
activity, related to a benchmark
in phonological awareness, to be
implemented in the classroom.
Emphasis on planning and
implementation. VPK Standards
training is a prerequisite. Christine R. Hughes, Ph.D., Early
Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/
Monroe
Come learn about child
developmental screening using the
ASQ, follow-up intervention services
and referral resources available in
Miami-Dade County.
The Importance of Nurturing
Empathy in the Early Years
Room 104 - First Floor
Social-Emotional Literacy
Room 177 - First Floor
Annette Dubrouillet, Decision
Drivers, LLC
It is critical for ECE administrators to
make good decisions but most have
never had training in how to do that.
This session will give you the tools
and techniques.
Dr. Daniela Fenu Foerch, Florida
International University; Helen Guiulfo,
Bottega Child Development Center and
Andrea Muñoz, The Joy of Learning
This presentation will emphasize
how preschoolers become aware of
their own emotions, how to manage
their emotions, and the emotions of
others in the classroom. Elizabeth “Libby” Smith and
Melinda Perry, Family Central, Inc.
Join us for an exciting journey
through social-emotional literacy
as we read and learn activities
to decrease the top 3 classroom
challenging behaviors: tantrums,
biting, and not sharing.
Becoming Literate by Learning to
Think and Thinking to Learn
Room 102 - First Floor
What’s New in 2015-16: VPK Preand Post-Assessments
Room 109 - First Floor
Building Better Readers
Room 178 - First Floor
Dr. Angela K. Salmon, Florida
International University
Through hands-on experiences using
thinking routines, the participants
will understand the interplay
between thinking and language and
implications in language and literacy
development.
Wendee Hooker, Florida Department
of Education, Office of Early Learning
VPK has new requirements for preand post-assessments during the
2015-16 program year. Attend to
ensure your program is aware of the
changes and available support.
Barbara Biggart, The Parent
Academy
Building Better Readers is a
program designed to create a
supportive home environment
that will help children develop,
early reading skills and the love of
language.
Recycling Your Way to STEM
Cafeteria
Kevin Carnes and Ron Mohl,
Lakeshore Learning Materials
Participants will discover how to use
recycled materials to promote STEM
learning through play collaborating
in small group activities.
This session will include door
prizes, including an i-Pad.
Limit 125 participants
10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Make No Mistake: Decision
Making for ECE Program
Administrators
Room 101 - First Floor
PAGE 8
Fostering Language and
Literacy Skills within the Home
Environment
Room 204 - Second Floor
Dr. Raquel Munarriz Diaz, Valerie
Mendez-Fariñas and Dr. Delia Katz,
University of Florida, and Michelle Skalski,
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Professor Mariateresa H. Muñoz,
Florida International University
This presentation will provide ECE
professionals with strategies on how
to facilitate language and literacy
development within a child’s natural
environment.
Basic Employment Law for Child
Care Center Owner and Center
Directors
Room 202 - Second Floor
Use Family Workshops to Build
Strong Home-School Partnerships
Room 206 - Second Floor
The VPK Academy is bringing early
childhood practitioners together
to interact regularly in order to
share their wisdom and grow as a
community of practice.
Trish Turner, M.A. HRDV, M.A.
MNGT, SPHR, Early Learning Coalition
of Miami-Dade/Monroe
Stay away from possible legal hang
ups by keeping abreast of the
federal regulations. Know how to
run your center within the federal
employment guidelines.
Playapy’s Smart Guide to Printing
Letters
Room 203 - Second Floor
Increasing Preschoolers’ SelfEfficacy on Nutritional Practices
through Health Literacy
Room 209 - Second Floor
Catherina Chang-Martinez, Florida
International University
Health literacy in children, educating
children on health-related topics
and increasing their self-efficacy
as they apply the information
through nutritional practices in the
prevention of obesity, cardiovascular
disease, and diabetes.
PAGE 9
Betty Aguiar-Perez and Edwin
Hernandez-Mojica, Miami Children’s
Museum
We will provide teachers with
ideas and resources on how to
incorporate an object-based focus to
enhance language learning in their
classrooms.
Practitioners as Advocates (What
Policy Makers Don’t Know Can
Hurt Us)
Room 212 - Second Floor
Christine Florez, The Children’s
Movement of Florida
Early childhood professionals can
play a powerful and active role in
effecting positive change in the
policy sphere. This presentation will
address the what, why and how of
advocacy and engagement.
#WeLearnHealthy: Active Literacy
Home and School
Room 213 - Second Floor
Dona Dailey, #WeLearnHealthy
Be a provider of active learning
experiences for young children
helping them at school and at
home to be ready to learn to read.
10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Amy Baez, Founder of Playapy
Learn about Playapy’s award-winning
handwriting method, developed by
an occupational therapist to guide or
remediate skills using a multi-sensory
approach and fun and simple design.
Karen Molinario, HighScope
Educational Research Foundation
Family workshops model adult-child
interaction strategies and suggest
ways that the home can become
an extension of the classroom and
natural learning environment.
Use of Object-Based Learning to
Build Language
Room 210 - Second Floor
Session 1
VPK Academy: Building a
Community of Practice Among
Preschool Teachers
Room 180 - First Floor
Session 1
Hands On Science and Math
Room 225 Library - Second Floor
Infant and Toddler Health and
Well-Being
Room 237 - Second Floor
Child Safety and Mandated
Reporting
Room 245 - Second Floor
Beth R. Davis, Ed.S., NBCT, Kids For
Kids Academy
Participants will take part in 15 hands
on explorations using low cost or no
cost materials and gain the strategies
needed to set up a preschool science
program. Sandra Mira-Navarrete, Early
Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/
Monroe
Presenter will review The
Neighborhood Place for Early Head
Start Health model and partnership
with Jackson Health Systems and
discuss the role of the teacher on a
child’s health and well-being.
Jeff Hurst, Florida Department of
Children and Families
This presentation will cover child
safety, major causes of child
death and prevention, rules and
regulations, and the responsibility
that we all have to ensure the safety
of the children we serve.
How Help Me Grow Can Support
Early Childhood Educators
Room 233 - Second Floor
The Important Connection
between Listening, Speaking and
Reading
Room 241 - Second Floor
Introduction to Successful
Inclusion of Children with Autism
Spectrum Disorders
Room 247 - Second Floor
Katherine Suarez Espinosa and
Jennifer Safstrom, Help Me Grow
Florida
Professionals can learn how to
link with the statewide system to
address developmental, educational
or behavioral concerns, and then to
link to community-based services
and supports.
Jennifer C. Roig, M.Ed., The Roig
Academy
Participants will leave with a better
understanding of what language is.
We will journey through the various
stages of language development
and learn how to intervene when a
development delay is suspected.
Donna Wade, CCDH
Children with Autism Spectrum
Disorders (ASD) display a wide range
of strengths, skills, and challenges.
Learn about adaptations and
supports that can foster positive
social interactions and lead to
successful inclusion.
Do you have
10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
The Missing Link for Childhood
Health
Room 236 - Second Floor
Dr. Oscar Molina and Dr. Stefanie
Molina, ATLAS Chiropractic
We often ignore spinal health and
posture, especially in children. This
presentation will give you tools to
understand why spinal health and
posture is often the missing link for a
child’s health.
concerns
Call the Warm-Line
Call the Warm-Line if you are worried
about a child’s...
•
•
•
•
Speech or language
Behavior
Development or growth
Health or nutrition
The Warm-Line assists early learning programs
in supporting children with developmental
concerns, as well as classroom management,
curriculum support, environmental
adaptations, and referral assistance.
Call 786-433-3095
email: [email protected]
Sponsored by
office of
Learn Early. Learn for Life.
PAGE 10
about a
child
in your
program?
Desarollo del Lenguaje en la
Primera Infancia
Aula 214 - Segundo Piso
Leer es una Aventura
Aula 237 - Segundo Piso
Lucy Schrack, Early Learning Coalition
of Miami-Dade/Monroe
Los proveedores aprenderán
estrategias que promueven la
inclusión y sentido de pertenencia
de todos los niños. Reconociendo
la importancia de la observación,
comprensión de las modificaciones y
la comunicación con los padres.
Mille Martinez Suarez, M.S., CCCSLP, Adriana Tridenti, B.S., S.L.P.A.
and Jessica Sanchidrian, B.A.
La comunicación es una habilidad
que se desarrolla desde la infancia.
Presentaremos información relevante
sobre el desarrollo del lenguaje
que ayudará a identificar si un niño
necesita ayuda en la clase.
Sabina Garcia and Jackie Perdomo,
Early Learning Coalition of MiamiDade/Monroe
Leer debe ser divertido, enseñar
a los niños a leer y disfrutar de la
literatura no debe ser estresante.
Hoy aprenderás a promover la
alfabetización cumpliendo con los
estándares de la Florida.
Desarrollo del Lenguaje y la
Comunicación
Aula 204 - Segundo Piso
La Salud y el Bienestar de los
Infantes y Niños Pequeños
Aula 217 - Segundo Piso
Bienestar Socio/Emocional en la
Edad Temprana
Aula 238 - Segundo Piso
Paloma Lopez-Barcena, Early
Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/
Monroe
En este taller los participantes
aprenderán acerca del desarrollo de
la comunicación y del lenguaje en los
niños, así como diferentes actividades
para estimularlo y desarrollarlo.
Sandra Mira-Navarrete, Early
Learning Coalition of MiamiDade/Monroe
Presentadora revisará el modelo de
salud entre “The Neighborhood Place
for Early Head Start” y “Jackson Health
Systems” y discutirá el rol del profesor
en la salud y el bienestar del niño.
Otilia Gonzalez-Varese, Early
Learning Coalition of MiamiDade/Monroe La audiencia aprenderá el impacto
que tiene el desarrollo socio/
emocional en la educación temprana
y tendrán mejor conocimiento de las
preocupaciones del desarrollo socio/
emocional de los niños de edad 0-3
años.
Disfrutando El Aprendizaje De
Idiomas
Aula 213 - Segundo Piso
Construyendo Buenos Lectores
Aula 236 - Segundo Piso
Apoyando el bilingüismo a través
de la lectura: Haciendo preguntas
claves
Aula 240 - Segundo Piso
Maria Elena Garganta, The Parent
Academy El propósito de la presentación,
“Construyendo Buenos Lectoreses”
es proveer a los estudiantes el apoyo
para la lectura en la casa.
PAGE 11
Ryan W. Pontier, Ph.D., Miami Dade
College
A través de explorar tipos y
funciones de preguntas, los
participantes entenderán la
importancia de hacer una variedad
de preguntas para apoyar el
bilingüismo y bi-alfabetización
emergente de los niños.
12:30 - 2:00 p.m.
Odalys Calleja, Early Learning Coalition
of Miami-Dade/Monroe
“Disfrutando El Aprendizaje
De Idiomas” fue diseñado para
proporcionar a los educadores de
la edad temprana con estrategias
prácticas para aumentar la interacción
positiva con los niños y tener
interacciones efectivas.
Sesión 2 en Español
La Inclusion Si Funciona!
Aula 102 - Primer Piso
Session 2
12:30 - 2:00 p.m.
Promoting STEM Language
Development in an Early Child Care
Setting
Room 101 - First Floor
What’s New in 2015-16: VPK Preand Post-Assessments
Room 109 - First Floor
Apps as an Assistive Technology
Tool for Young Children
Room 178 - First Floor
Sarah Zubairi, Miami Dade College
Preschool Lab This presentation will provide early
child care professionals with the tools
necessary to promote STEM language
development in their classroom.
Wendee Hooker, Florida Department
of Education Office of Early Learning
VPK has new requirements for preand post-assessments during the
2015-16 program year. Attend to
ensure your program is aware of the
changes and available support.
Ana Nevares, Mailman Center for
Child Development
The presentation will discuss effective
strategies for iPad use with young
children in order to facilitate their
development of early literacy skills.
Apps that promote early literacy and
reading skills will be demonstrated.
Integrating the Standards:
Phonological Awareness
Room 103 - First Floor
Exploring Culturally Diverse
Literature for Children
Room 173 - First Floor
Promoting Healthy Practices in
Early Childhood,
Room 179 - First Floor
Laura Delgado, Florida Department
of Education Office of Early Learning
Participants will create a
developmentally appropriate
activity related to a benchmark
in phonological awareness, to be
implemented in the classroom.
Emphasis on planning and
implementation. VPK Standards
training is a prerequisite.
Jodie Delgado, Barefoot Books
Ambassador
Come learn how to choose, evaluate,
and plan activities using diverse
children’s books. Attendees will take
home sample book lists and activity
ideas.
Using LOOK strategies to Address
Challenging Behaviors in Preschool
Classrooms
Room 104 - First Floor
Hands on Strategies for School
Readiness Goals
Room 177 - First Floor
Ideas for a Successful Open
House
Room 180 - First Floor
Sandra Ampudia and Rebecca
Bulotsky Shearer, University of Miami
Social-emotional and self-regulation
skills provide the foundation for
children’s learning in the preschool
classroom. Promoting these skills
can reduce young children’s
challenging behaviors and improve
children’s positive engagement in the
classroom.
Ron Mohl, Lakeshore Learning
Materials
Hands-on strategies will be aligned
to School Readiness goals and
differentiated instruction will be
used to level these activities to meet
various skill levels.
Aleyda Sosa, South Florida Associate
for the Education of Young Children
(SFAEYC)
Activities will be shared that
incorporate story telling to enhance
learning in areas of math, science,
and critical thinking by engaging
parents in hands-on student learning
based on NAEYC Standards.
PAGE 12
Angele’ Doyne, NBCDI
The National Black Child Development Institute
has developed an initiative to promote healthy
nutrition practices among Black families with
young children. The Good for Me! curriculum
and cookbook supports the work of this
initiative. Participants will explore activities
and recipes to encourage positive nutrition
practices within the home and will discover
methods of supporting the language and brain
development of young children.
Assess Young Children
Authentically and Keep HighStakes Tests in Time-Out
Room 206 - Second Floor
Carol Kaminsky M.A., BC-DMT,
University of Miami
Learn dance and movement stories
that motivate children to improve
their coordination, cooperation, and
creativity. The presentation includes
suggestions of books and music to
create dancing stories.
Karen Molinario, HighScope
Educational Research Foundation
Authentic assessments include
observations and samples of
children’s work that provide
teachers with valuable and practical
information to understand and plan
for the developmental needs of the
children in their class.
Literacy Achievement for Parents
that Work
Room 203 - Second Floor
Promoting Children’s Interest in
Literacy
Room 208 - Second Floor
Rachel TaalibDeen, North Dade
Youth & Family Coalition
Parents are busy preparing dinner
or doing other necessary chores
and need to keep children busy and
occupied. There are some easy to use
methods to keep them busy.
Ana Maria Farkas, Catherine
Paulino, Vittoria DeCaria and
Julienne Barham, Devereux Florida
This session will help educators and
families promote young children’s
delight in talking, listening, prereading and literacy by providing
a variety of entertaining language
experiences, interactions and
activities.
Extending Children’s Vocabulary
through Literacy
Room 205 - Second Floor
The Secret to Breakdown
Resistance and Build Cooperation
with Children
Room 209 - Second Floor
Liz Becker
Participants will learn new tools to
help develop emotional intelligence
in children.
PAGE 13
Neivis Valdes, Early Learning Coalition
of Miami-Dade/Monroe
This presentation will focus on
how to help all children succeed,
by learning to identify and modify
the environment and antecedents/
triggers leading to challenging
behaviors, as well as ways to support
replacement behaviors.
The Power of Blogging For
Literacy Advocacy, Education, and
Marketing
Room 212 - Second Floor
Karla Campos, Social Media Sass
Early education providers will learn
strategies on using the power of
blogging for marketing, literacy
advocacy, and providing parents with
resources and literacy tools to help
their children.
Strategies to Support Early
Language Development
Room 215 - Second Floor
Lucretia Jones, Early Learning
Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe
This session will expose teachers
to techniques that can be used
to promote early language
development.
12:30 - 2:00 p.m.
Mary Samour and Esther Leny
Marante, United Way Center for
Excellence
This presentation will provide teachers
with the knowledge of extending
children’s vocabulary through various
literacy practices. This training will
guide teachers on how to support
social-emotional, cognitive and
language development.
Effective Interventions for
Challenging Behaviors
Room 210 - Second Floor
Session 2
Dancing Stories – Bringing
Books to Life Through Dance and
Movement
Room 202 - Second Floor
Session 2
12:30 - 2:00 p.m.
Hands On Science and Math
Room 225 - Second Floor
#WeLearnHealthy: Active Learning
and Healthy Eating
Room 241 - Second Floor
Child Care Regulation and
Background Screening Overview
Room 245 - Second Floor
Beth R. Davis, Ed.S., NBCT, Kids For
Kids Academy
Participants will take part in 15 hands
on explorations using low cost or no
cost materials and gain the strategies
needed to set up a preschool science
program.
Ruby Natale and Nicole Englebert,
University of Miami
We will present best practices and
current research in early childhood
education, with a particular focus on
supporting literacy within the context
of nutrition and physical activity.
Jeff Hurst, Florida Department of
Children and Families
This presentation will cover the
history of Child Care Regulations as
well as current child care legislation in
Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.
Drama Solves Conflict: How Theatre
Breaks Barriers to Learning
Room 233 - Second Floor
Technology Use with Children: The
Psychological and Physical Effects
Room 242 - Second Floor
Promoting Family Literacy
and Positive Home Learning
Environments
Room 246 - Second Floor
Nerissa Street, Be Your Own Answer
Using entertaining yet practical
theatre techniques, any adult can
create safe spaces for children to
learn new words, skills and concepts.
This interactive workshop shows how.
No acting experience needed!
Stephanie L. Diez, Reboot & Recover,
Inc.
The new dilemma caregivers and
educators are facing: What is the role
of technology use in early childhood
development? We will explore the
answers and solutions to this topic.
Randi Cheatham-Johnson, Kelly
Cromer, and Dr. Katie Hart, Florida
International University
Reading together builds skills that
foster success in the classroom and
beyond. We will demonstrate fun and
interactive reading strategies that
create the optimal home learning
environment.
#WeLearnHealthy: Happy and
Healthy Celebrations
Room 235 - Second Floor
Conscious Discipline® for Grownups: Connecting with and Coaching
Staff
Room 244 - Second Floor
Accommodations Throughout the
Daily Routine
Room 247 - Second Floor
Jessica Morris, FLIPANY
Educators will learn to promote
celebrations while engaging
children in interactive activities that
incorporate nutrition and movement.
Let’s create the new norm with
healthy celebrations!
Katja von Elbe, Brainheart Guidance
How does your center family
deal with daily stress, chores and
conflict? Learn a management
model that meets brain needs, builds
relationships and brings out the best
in us all.
Terri Camejo, CCDH
Participants will receive material and
strategies to support the learning
of all young children, including
accommodations and strategies
addressing language, cognitive, and
physical skills.
PAGE 14
La Tienda, Sumas y Restas con
Monedas
Aula 241 - Segundo Piso
Paola Ramirez, M.S., Margie Sosa,
M.S., and Emma M. Munoz, MSW,
Citrus Health Network, Inc.
Únase a nosotros mientras tomamos
un viaje del interior hacia fuera para
ayudar a los niños a expresar sus
deseos, necesidades y sentimientos
de manera apropiada.
Neivis Valdes, Early Learning Coalition
of Miami-Dade/Monroe
Esta presentación se centrará en
cómo ayudar a los niños a tener éxito,
al aprender a identificar y modificar
el medio ambiente y antecedentes
que conducen a comportamientos
desafiantes.
Maria Avila and Ana Lopez, Maria
Avila Large Family Child Care Home
Las maestras tendrán la oportunidad
de aprender el concepto de
“tiendas” y desarrollan métodos de
conocimientos matemáticos para
llevar a su clase e utilizar con sus
estudiantes.
Los Comportamientos Desafiantes
No Son Tan Difíciles!
Aula 104 - Primer Piso
Su Credito y la Importancia de
Tenerlo
Aula 212 - Segundo Piso
Mas Alla de Leer
Aula 242 - Segundo Piso
Sandra Ampudia, University of Miami
Participantes podrán identificar
dificultades y mejorar las habilidades
que los niños necesitan para superar
las interacciones negativas.
Carmen Castillo, CNC
Este taller le brindara una
introducción al concepto del credito.
Tambien le enseñara terminos
basicos sobre el mismo y le ayudara a
entender la importancia de terner un
buen credito.
Kenia Najera and Jamilet Jarquin,
Florida International University
Los participantes podrán regresar a
su salón de clase y podrán identificar
materiales apropiados para el
desarrollo de la lectoescritura. Podrán
establecer experiencias y materiales
apropiados para fomentar el
aprendizaje activo.
Aprendamos Utilizando Arte,
Música y Baile!
Aula 173 - Primer Piso
Leer es una Aventura
Aula 237 - Segundo Piso
Adaptaciones durante la Rutina
Diaria
Aula 246 - Segundo Piso
Paloma López-Bárcena and Liliana
Gómez, Early Learning Coalition of
Miami-Dade/Monroe
Sabina Garcia, and Jackie Perdomo,
Early Learning Coalition of MiamiDade/Monroe
Leer debe ser divertido, enseñar
a los niños a leer y disfrutar de la
literatura no debe ser estresante.
Hoy aprenderás a promover la
alfabetización cumpliendo con los
estándares de la Florida.
Raquel Linares, CCDH
Los participantes recibirán
materiales y estrategias para apoyar
el aprendizaje de todos los niños
pequeños, incluyendo adaptaciones y
estrategias relacionadas a habilidades
de lenguaje, cognitivas, y físicas.
KidVision VPK: Use Virtual Field Trips
to Increase
Las actividades artísticas
estimulan el desarrollo del niño.
Participa en este taller interactivo
y aprende como implementarlas
día a día en tu escuela
PAGE 15
2:15 - 3:45 p.m.
Intervenciones Eficaces Para
Comportamientos Desafiantes
Aula 210 - Segundo Piso
Sesión 3 en Español
Inside Out: Ayudando a los Niños a
Expresar sus Sentimientos
Aula 102 - Primer Piso
Session 3
KidVision VPK: Use Virtual Field
Trips to Increase Language
Skills
Room 101 - First Floor
Penny Bernath and Nanette Reimer,
WPBT2 KidVision VPK is a free online program
that provides early childhood
teachers with virtual field trips
and take home pages to use in the
classroom to enhance your literacy
objectives.
Integrating the Standards:
Phonological Awareness
Room 103 - First Floor
2:15 - 3:45 p.m.
Laura Delgado, Florida Department
of Education Office of Early Learning
Participants will create a
developmentally appropriate
activity, related to a benchmark
in phonological awareness, to be
implemented in the classroom.
Emphasis on planning and
implementation. VPK Standards
training is a prerequisite.
Inclusion in Preschool Works!
Room 177 -First Floor
Lucy Schrack, Early Learning Coalition
of Miami-Dade/Monroe
Providers will learn strategies that
promote inclusion and a sense
of belonging for all children.
Recognizing the importance
of observation, understanding
modifications and communicating
with parents will be discussed.
Music and Movement Workshop for
Early Childhood and Primary Grade
Educators
Room 178 - First Floor
Leslie H. Cooper
Early interaction with music positively
affects the quality of all children’s
lives. Successful experiences in music
help all children bond emotionally
and intellectually through creative
expression in song, rhythmic
movement, and listening experiences.
What’s New in 2015-16: VPK Preand Post-Assessments
Room 109 - First Floor
Revamping Trainings…from Boring
to Useful!
Room 179 - First Floor
Wendee Hooker, Florida Department
of Education Office of Early Learning
VPK has new requirements for preand post-assessments during the
2015-16 program year. Attend to
ensure your program is aware of the
changes and available support.
Raquel Diaz and Sharon Jones,
University of Florida
How do you design professional
development that is purposeful and
inspires learners? Review the 4 steps
for learning model, which is a tool for
learning that lasts.
PAGE 16
STEAMtastic Brilliance: Art-based
Strategies for Approaching
Preschool STEAM Objectives
Room 180 - First Floor
Latrice M. Bruno, Arts For Learning
Miami
Participants will experience artbased strategies to use as teaching
tools in their classroom and develop
a comfort level with STEAM math
concept areas for preschool children.
Laying the Foundation For a
Literacy Rich Environment
Room 202 - Second Floor
Diana F. Layton, Accredited
Professional Preschool Learning
Environment (APPLE)
Learn how to help promote and
extend development of literacy
knowledge and skills throughout the
preschool classroom.
Building Blocks of Successful
Reading through Phonological
Awareness Instruction
Room 203 - Second Floor
Maria Serra, M.S., United Way Center
for Excellence
Make early literacy instruction
intentional, purposeful, and explicit
using the Phonological Awareness
Continuum and the Florida State
Standards. Learn strategies that will
improve children’s ability to develop
essential emergent reading and
writing skills.
Carnival of Learning
Room 209 - Second Floor
Thinking Outside of the Box for
Storytelling
Room 215 - Second Floor
Carol E. Brogan, MSA, Training
Academy at Family Central, Inc.
Our interactions with infants can
teach us valuable life lessons while
we guide them through what life
is all about. Let’s learn from both
perspectives!
Cheryl Dusek, Miami-Dade County
Public Schools
Presenters will create numerous
hands-on, age appropriate learning
activities to increase children’s verbal
interactions, creative minds, thinking
skills and more.
Othondra Williams, Ayme Hamoui,
and Maria Christina Caro, Family
Central, Inc.
Do you struggle to keep the
children’s attention when you are
reading to them? Learn how you
can use CLASS strategies during your
story time and foster love of literacy!
Food Shopping 101
Room 205 - Second Floor
Learning Language and Loving It
Room 213 - Second Floor
Wil Ayala, Early Learning Coalition of
Miami-Dade/Monroe
Participants will learn about the food
industry, food labels, how to navigate
grocery stores in a healthy manner,
shopping healthy for less, and the
economic value of eating nutrient
dense foods and beverages.
Odalys Calleja, Early Learning
Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe
“Learning Language and Loving
It” was designed to provide early
childhood educators with practical
strategies for increasing positive
interaction with children and
providing meaningful information
during interactions.
Communication as a Foundation
for Language and Literacy in
Preschool
Room 206 - Second Floor
Take a Walk on the Sensory Side!
Room 214 - Second Floor
Planning Activities that Integrate
Literacy, Math, and Science in the
Classroom
Room 235 - Second Floor
Karen Molinario, HighScope
Educational Research Foundation The acquisition of language is social;
it happens because young children
want to interact and communicate
with others. Explore the elements
of language and learn strategies
for supporting children’s language
development.
Ines Murray, Discount School Supply
This is a hands-on, interactive,
multi-modal approach class which
incorporates small group cooperative
activities for increased knowledge
aquisition in the area of Literacy and
beyond dedicated for educators of
PreK3-Kinder.
Jessica Rodriguez, Ed.D., Jessica
Espinosa, Ph.D., and Dorothy
Koffler, M.S.Ed., Miami Dade College
This presentation will cover the
importance of planning and
implementing hands-on activities
that integrate multiple subjects, such
as math, science, and literacy.
Literacy-based Projects in the
Preschool Classroom: Building
Family Connections
Room 217 - Second Floor
Wilma Robles-Melendez, Ph.D., Jia
Borror, Ed.D. and Berta Capo, Ed.D.,
Nova Southeastern University
This session explores the role of
project-based experiences to support
early literacy development. It also
discusses ways to build family
connections and extend learning at
home.
2:15 - 3:45 p.m.
PAGE 17
Session 3
Life Lessons in the Infant Room
Room 204 - Second Floor
Session 3
2:15 - 3:45 p.m.
Frustrated with Tantrums? Let’s
Work it Out
Room 236 - Second Floor
Literacy is All Around
Room 240 - Second Floor
Promoting Literacy in the SchoolAge Child
Room 245 - Second Floor
Karen Aguilar, and Anita Galbraith,
United Way Center for Excellence
The presentation will consist of
information summarizing the
key points in a child’s emotional
development. It will also offer insight
that encourages caregivers to see
their strengths in guiding children.
.
Madeleine Verlezza, Early Learning
Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe
This presentation will focus on
helping early childhood teachers find
fun, simple, and inexpensive ways
to promote early literacy during an
assortment of daily activities.
Barbara Cardeso, Rebeca Ruiz, and
Eliane Ramos, Florida International
University
This session will explain the
importance of pre-literacy and
literacy skills as a component of
academic success. Research based
information will be presented
bilingually to an English and Spanish
audience.
Microsoft Office for Your
Business
Room 238 - Second Floor
I Love You Rituals: Language
Room 244 - Second Floor
Fred Hicks and Diana Lane, Early
Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/
Monroe
Learn about the MS Office Suite,
the most widely used computer
programs in business and at home, to
run your business more efficiently.
Katja von Elbe, Brainheart Guidance
Create and strengthen bonds with
and among children with interactive
fingerplays and social games.
Understand how touch, eye contact
and playful presence wire the brain
for self-control and willingness to
learn. An Administrators Introduction to
the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA)
Room 247 - Second Floor
www.elcmdm.org
PAGE 18
Donna Wade, CCDH
There are very few instances in which
a program can legally refuse to enroll
a child with a disability. Learn what
your legal responsibilities are and
how to meet them.
Is a proud supporter of the
Second Annual
Children First Conference
and of early care and education
professionals everywhere.
WELS
Thank you teachers
for all you do for
our children in
Miami-Dade
PAGE 19
E: [email protected]
P: 786.735.0200
www.welsfoundation.org
PAGE 20
Engage
families,
strengthen
communities,
and cultivate
literacy
Scholastic Education is a proud sponsor of the Early Learning Coalition
Miami-Dade/Monroe conference!
Our leading comprehensive literacy solutions reinforce
student achievement through:
• Early literacy development for school readiness
• Instructional reading and writing
• Professional learning for teacher effectiveness
Special
Keynote Address
by Scholastic Author
Phyllis C. Hunter
• Family and community engagement
• Integrated learning supports
To learn more, visit the Scholastic table or contact Arlene Weissberg
at 305-807-0097 or [email protected].
PAGE 21