On-Demand, Online Workshops
VAAEYC is introducing On-Demand, Online Workshops as a bonus offering for the 2025 Annual Conference!
These recorded workshops will be available for viewing from April 6 - May 31, 2025 and will be included at no additional cost to all in-person registrations.
If you can't attend the Annual Conference in person, these workshops are only $60 for all!
A Look at the Overlapping Behaviors of Unidentified Developmental Disorders
Presenter: Valerie Abbott
In this parent/professional panel conversation, led by Valerie James Abbott EICM, participants will hear true stories from Virginia subject matter experts about the subtle signs and symptoms that were first noticed before a child received an official diagnosis. In some of these examples, the children shared similar symptoms or exhibited similar behaviors, but the final diagnoses were different. Participants will discover that it is often the child's Head Start, child care or preschool teacher, or other non-family members who are among the first to notice something atypical with a child's development and the first to begin a conversation with families about a possible developmental delay.
Beyond Crafts: Teaching Art to Preschoolers Even If You Can't Draw a Stick Figure
Presenter: Elspeth McClanahan
Roll up your sleeves, prepare to get a little messy, and put on that creative hat you didn't know you had. In this session you will learn why we teach art, simple basic techniques to help you start children drawing, and easy fun ways to introduce the Great Masters. All this in a way that is easy for you, the children enjoy and enhances process art. Easy techniques any teacher can apply to their classrooms. So you can't draw? No problem. You don't know Monet from Picasso? You will.
Building Relationships-Understanding People
Presenter: Amy Clay
This session will address the importance of building relationships in the workplace. Because childcare and teaching are a public service, teachers have to be masters of how to work with people. Three types of relationships will be identified and described: colleagues, students, and their families. Their necessity and how to establish and develop these relationships will be discussed. You will leave knowing how to build connections and establish a rapport with your colleagues, your students, and their families through deliberate and purposeful practices and activities to help build a positive working environment.
Circle Time: It's More than Calendar and Weather
Presenter: Tracy Cheney
Circle Time: It CAN be More than Calendar and Weather! = Circle time presents some unique learning opportunities for learning, especially regarding social and emotional skills. It is often a scheduled time in the daily routine for communication and cooperation (eg. speaking, listening, asking and responding to questions, taking turns), and many content areas can be taught in developmentally appropriate ways. A key to doing so is to observe the cues of the children so that expectations regarding the content and length of time are appropriate.
Conectando Sonrisas – Potenciando las Habilidades Sociales en nuestros niños
Presenter: Gloria Salazar
Cuando Luis, de tres años, comenzó a empujar a sus compañeros cada vez que quería un juguete, su maestra pensó que solo necesitaba más límites. Pero con acompañamiento, descubrió que Luis no sabía cómo expresar su frustración. Aprendió a decir “quiero jugar también” y poco a poco empezó a integrarse con los demás. Historias como la de Luis nos recuerdan que las habilidades sociales no nacen solas: se enseñan, se modelan y se construyen todos los días en el aula. Esta presentación está diseñada para formar y sensibilizar a maestras de educación infantil sobre la importancia de desarrollar habilidades sociales en los niños desde los primeros años de vida. Esta presentación invita a las participantes a reflexionar sobre su rol como guías en el desarrollo socioemocional infantil, mostrando cómo cada momento del día —desde la llegada al aula hasta la hora del cuento o del almuerzo— puede convertirse en una oportunidad valiosa para enseñar a los niños a convivir, expresar sus emociones, resolver conflictos y construir relaciones positivas. El taller incluye: • Estrategias prácticas para fomentar habilidades sociales en el aula. • Situaciones comunes que suelen limitar el desarrollo socioemocional y propuestas concretas para transformarlas en aprendizajes. • Un enfoque cálido, respetuoso y cercano, que busca fortalecer la mirada empática de las maestras hacia los niños y hacia su propia práctica. “Conectando Sonrisas” no es solo una charla: es una invitación a mirar el aula con nuevos ojos y a acompañar a los niños no solo en lo académico, sino también en su crecimiento como seres humanos.
Creciendo Juntos – Abordando los Retrasos del Desarrollo con Empatía y Colaboración de las Familias
Presenter: Gloria Salazar
Cuando Juanito, de cuatro años, comenzó a mostrar dificultades para expresarse y a sentirse frustrado al no poder comunicarse efectivamente, su maestra notó que algo no encajaba. En lugar de limitarlo, decidió profundizar en sus observaciones y, con la colaboración de su familia, descubrió que Juanito necesitaba apoyo para desarrollar sus habilidades comunicativas. Juntas, maestras y padres trabajaron en estrategias personalizadas, lo que permitió a Juanito ganar confianza y progresar en su integración y aprendizaje. Historias como la de Juanito nos recuerdan que detectar a tiempo un posible retraso no se trata de juzgar, sino de acompañar a cada niño de manera individual. Apoyarnos en guías de desarrollo y herramientas de medición objetivas nos ayuda a identificar logros y áreas de mejora, permitiéndonos intervenir de forma oportuna y empática.
- Autoreflexiones para comprender la importancia del rol que tiene cada mae.
- Explorar la importancia de no comparar y seguir guías de desarrollo basándose en indicadores objetivos (como los de la CDC) para identificar retrasos sin prejuicios.
- Estrategias para llevar un registro sistemático del comportamiento y progreso de los niños en diversas situaciones.
- Uso de herramientas como el ASQ-3 y el ASQ:SE2 para evaluar el desarrollo y planificar intervenciones personalizadas.
- Esta presentación está diseñada para formar y sensibilizar a maestras de educación infantil sobre la importancia de la intervención temprana y la colaboración estrecha con las familias.
“Creciendo Juntos” es una invitación a mirar el desarrollo infantil con nuevos ojos, a intervenir con empatía y a construir alianzas sólidas entre la escuela y el hogar, para que cada niño pueda alcanzar su máximo potencial.
Family Childcare - The Who and Why Behind the Passion
Presenter: Rachel Kurtz
Are you a family childcare provider? Child care can be hard and demanding work, but it is also so rewarding! You play an important role and without you, many families would not be able to work. You are important! Let's take a deep dive into the who and why behind your passion for providing quality childcare. In this session we will revisit why you started your childcare to begin with and rediscover ways to ignite your passion for childcare again!
Family Day Home - Revamp your outside play! Take the learning Outside!
Presenter: Rachel Kurtz
Are you a family childcare provider looking for ways utilize, revamp, or just enjoy being outside with the children! Join me in creating and utilizing your outdoor spaces whether they are big or small! Learning doesn't just happen indoors! Take the learning outside and having fun while doing it!
Help Me Organize My Stuff!
Presenter: Amy Clay
Harry Wong's "The Classroom Management Book" will be referenced to give teachers advice on how to organize classroom materials for both the teacher and the students. Topics discussed will include organizing: writing and craft materials, books, papers, workstations, furniture, and cleaning supplies. Teachers will receive advice on how to effectively organize, manage, and store these classroom materials to help maintain order, efficiency, and neatness inside of the classroom. Multiple organizational options will be discussed, and a model classroom will be viewed. This presentation with be both PowerPoint and interactive.
One Rhyme at a Time: Supporting Literacy Through Picture Books and Nursery Rhymes
Presenter: Christina Shawn
Understanding rhyme is an important part of building early literacy skills. Let's explore fun and engaging read aloud strategies that use rhyming picture books, repetition, and nursery rhymes to solidify these sound differentiating skills. We'll develop leveled follow up activities and specific lesson plans for engaging, newly published picture books. You'll leave with prepared lesson plans, leveled follow up activities, songs, and a refreshed look at nursery rhymes as tools for enhancing literacy skills for our young learners.
Promoting Life Skills: Infants and Toddlers
Presenter: Riley Fitzgerald
Young children experience the world and learn through relationships. Join us as we learn how to build these relationships, communicate with children, and help promote the life skills they need to reach their best outcomes.
Self-Regulation: Strategies for Emotional & Sensory Support
Presenters: Rachel Waff, Christine Murray
Join us for an engaging session merging best practices in designing learning environments, teacher-child relationships, and the development of self-regulation. We'll focus on creating effective spaces, routines and visual resources to help teachers and children build a toolbox of strategies for supporting social-emotional and sensory development. Examples include breathing practices, big body movements, problem-solving approaches, and designing intentional space for co-regulation.
Strategies for Supporting Mandated Reporters of Suspected Child Abuse
Presenter: Alan Guttman
Child development and learning occurs when children are healthy and safe. This workshop will ensure that providers establish policies and procedures that protect children when abuse is suspected. Participants will also discuss and learn strategies to protect themselves in their roles as mandated reports. It is vital that providers are supported so that they may fulfill their role as mandated reporters. In this highly engaging workshop, participants will learn why individuals sometimes fail to report suspected abuse. Video vignettes and research will be presented to inform discussions around the development of strategies, policies, and procedures to ensure consistent reporting.
Strong Bodies Strong Brains: Physical Play to Calm Bodies and Minds
Presenter: Preston Blackburn
Teachers know children who can't calm their bodies can't calm their minds for learning. But what if the dreaded "wiggles" aren't just kids misbehaving, but their little bodies trying desperately to fill a developmental need? In this session, we will examine the brain science and logic that connect big-body physical play to self-regulation, self-control, and behavior. This presentation includes numerous take-away games and activities to use immediately.
The Importance of The Importance of Child Engagement in Play & Learning
Presenter: Alan Guttman
This workshop focuses on the importance of child engagement in play and learning. In this interactive session you will learn how to define and recognize when children are genuinely engaged with adults, peers, and materials in sophisticated play and learning. Join us as we view, analyze, and discuss videos of children engaged in daily activities to broaden and deepen your understanding of how best to support and promote child engagement in your program.