On Demand courses

Need new ideas and inspiration for including music in your child care program? Learn songs for the non-singer, how to make simple musical instruments, and lots of music and movement activities to do with children. (2 hours)

Sketching exercises hone observation skills, skills much-needed during the care day. This course offers refreshing deep noticing experiences. The goal is NOT to train an artist but to enhance an educator's ability to observe and document their world. Included tools and strategies support opportunities for adults and a parallel practice with toddlers through teens. Nature sketching meets a wide range of learning standards. As nature observation skills are refined, child observation skills are positively transformed.

"New Staff Orientation – Working with School-Age Youth" is a seven-hour lesson consisting of twelve chapters. The chapters are designed to guide you as you work with your program director, children, families, and co-workers to learn about new job responsibilities and ways to provide high quality care to school-age youth. (7 hours)

Consists of twelve chapters. The chapters are designed to guide you as you work with your program director, children and families, and co-workers to learn about new job responsibilities and ways to provide high quality care to infants and toddlers. (7 hours)

“New Staff Orientation – Working with Preschoolers” is a seven-hour module consisting of twelve chapters. The chapters are designed to guide you as you work with your program director, children and families, and co-workers to learn about new job responsibilities and ways to provide high quality care to preschoolers. (7 Hours)

Twelve chapters guide you as you work with your program director to learn about your new job responsibilities, the children and families in your care, and the program. (8 hours)

Los niños pequeños comienzan a desarrollar preferencias alimentarias y hábitos alimenticios que afectarán su crecimiento y desarrollo. Los profesionales de cuidado infantil están en una posición única para fomentar hábitos de alimenticios saludables en los niños pequeños que sentarán las bases para elecciones saludables a lo largo de la vida del niño. Este módulo explora la importancia de fomentar la alimentación saludable e incluye estrategias e ideas para implementar dentro de los programas de cuidado y educación temprana. (2 hours)

Las investigaciones muestran que la actividad física ofrece muchos beneficios para todos y que es importante que los padres y proveedores de cuidado sean buenos modelos a seguir. Esta lección les ayudará a los proveedores de cuidado de niños a aprender cuales son las recomendaciones hasta la fecha de niveles de actividad física para los bebés, los niños pequeños y los niños preescolares. Se presentarán nuevas ideas para mantener a los niños activos. (2 hours)

La lactancia beneficia a las madres y a los bebés de muchas maneras, incluyendo ayudar a prevenir la obesidad infantil. Seguir amamantando por la cantidad recomendada de tiempo puede ser un reto, especialmente cuando los niños tienen que estar en un sitio de cuidado. En esta lección, los proveedores de cuidado infantil aprenderán soluciones prácticas para el fomento y apoyo a las madres que elijen amamantar a sus bebés. (2 hours)

Las bebidas saludables son importantes para mantener el cuerpo hidratado. Dado que las bebidas también pueden ser una fuente de nutrientes, es importante asegurarse de que se brinden las opciones más saludables para los niños pequeños. Con tantas opciones de bebidas ahora disponibles, las opciones pueden ser confusas para los padres y cuidadores. En este módulo, los proveedores de cuidado infantil aprenderán las opciones de bebidas apropiadas para los niños bajo su cuidado, los beneficios de las bebidas saludables y las estrategias para ponerlas a disposición de los niños. (2 hours)

Estudios muestran que los niños que pasan más tiempo viendo la televisión se encuentran en un mayor riesgo de sobrepeso y obesidad debido al incremento en la actividad sedentaria. El tiempo de pantalla se refiere a todos los medios digitales, incluyendo la TV y puede interferir con el desarrollo cognitivo de los niños menores de dos años de edad. En esta lección, los proveedores de cuidado infantil aprenderán las mejores prácticas y recomendaciones y ganarán una comprensión de por qué es importante limitar el tiempo de pantalla para los niños pequeños. (2 hours)

Niños Sanos, Futuro Sano continúa la labor de ¡A Moverse! Cuidado Infantil (LMCC), la cual fue parte de la iniciativa nacional ¡A Moverse!, de la Ex Primera Dama Michelle Obama para prevenir la obesidad infantil. Este módulo sustituye el módulo anterior que estaba disponible como Prevención de Obesidad Infantil ¡A Moverse! Cuidado Infantil Introducción. (2 hours)

All adults working in early childhood and school-age education settings need to know how to support a developmentally appropriate environment for the children in their care. This includes non-instructional staff such as bus drivers, cafeteria workers, maintenance staff, office staff, and volunteers. They should understand the stages of child development, and be responsive to individual and cultural differences. They should know how to interact appropriately with children, co-workers, and families. They need to know program safety procedures, and be prepared for emergencies. (2 hours)

Personal health and wellness is a journey in which everyone progresses at their own pace. The opportunity to make healthy eating choices is based on knowing what those choices are, strategies to promote those healthy choices and setting goals to make healthier choices. Traditionally, ECE professionals focus on the health and wellness of the children in their care with little attention to their personal wellness. This module provides information and strategies to make and model healthy choices, create a healthy food environment, and navigate the food environment in a healthier way. (4 hours)

Eating healthy on a budget can be a significant challenge for many families. Nutrition Links is a program offered through Penn State Extension that provides evidence-based nutrition education for low-income families. Hands-on cooking opportunities along with practical strategies help families make better nutrition and health decisions. Child care providers can host Nutrition Links programs as a valuable family engagement opportunity that can encourage healthy practices at home and in the child care setting. (2 hours)

La observación y la evaluación centradas en la equidad son esenciales para comprender y apoyar el progreso del desarrollo de los niños y para informar las decisiones sobre prácticas de enseñanza efectivas. Este curso explora los procesos multidimensionales de observación y evaluación que son imparciales, culturalmente receptivos, lingüísticamente y con capacidades diversas, y que valoran los sistemas colaborativos de apoyo. (2 horas)

Numerous attachment theorists identify the importance of children’s early, secure attachment bonds. Children’s relationships with their significant caregivers are the primary means for fostering healthy social and emotional development. This module introduces research and information focused on the attachment relationship, with special emphasis on observing and documenting teacher-child relationship quality to support positive outcomes for children. (3 hours)

How children spend their day has long lasting implications. Curriculum is much more than a collection of activities to do with children. A good curriculum takes into consideration research, individual needs, child development principles, and early learning standards. This module explores strategies to use observation and assessment to support children’s learning and skill development, to plan developmentally informed activities, and to meet curriculum goals and early learning standards. (3 hours)

Research finds that children’s well-being and ability to learn is substantially impacted by the quality of their early learning environment. This module focuses on two significant aspects of environmental quality in the early childhood classroom: relationships and rich interactions, and physical setting and learning materials. Special emphasis is placed on observation and assessment of the learning environment to make improvements and support positive outcomes for children. (3 hours)

Observation and assessment focused on equity is integral to understanding and supporting children's developmental progress and informing decisions about effective teaching practices. This course explores multidimensional observation and assessment processes that are anti-biased, culturally responsive, linguistically and ability diverse, and that value collaborative systems of support. (2 hours)

Research shares that the quality of children’s early language experiences impacts their language and cognitive development. Early care and education professionals (ECE) support children’s language and literacy development when they provide intentional and strategic opportunities for children to engage in language rich interactions and activities. The focus of this module emphasizes the use of observation and assessment data to guide and support children’s language and literacy development. (2 hours)

Observation is important to understand a child and to assess and enhance learning and development. Observations take many forms, both formal and informal. This module explains the use of observation within teaching, examines how observation enhances interactions, identifies best practices for observing an individual child or group of children, and introduces a variety of observation tools and methods that are commonly used in early childhood programs. (3 hours)

Early childhood education (ECE) professionals benefit from coordinated collaborations with a wide range of early learning professionals, specialists, and programs (e.g. education, social services, health). Through collaborations, ECE professionals gain knowledge and information to support children and families. This module focuses on how professional collaborations strengthen and inform the observation and assessment process in the early learning setting. (3 hours)

Explore what it means to implement observation in your classroom and in your teaching. Learn about the value of observation and what factors to consider when you plan, record, and reflect on your observations. (2 hours)

Research has proven that the better the connection and relationships children have with the primary caregivers in their lives, the better they learn. Through observation, caregivers get to know each child and the child’s family, and discover what skills a child needs to practice as he develops. Plan observations, analyze what you observe, share information with families, and decide how to use the information to inform your work with children. (2 hours)

Good observations enable educators to plan quality programs to engage children in active learning as well as address concerns. Choose, plan for, and implement observation methods to match observation goals in the early care and education setting. Learn about the tools needed to observe and document observations. (2 hours)

A dynamic onboarding program is essential for employee recruitment, retention, and long-term program success. In this course, program directors and hiring managers will discover effective practices and customizable tools to thoughtfully plan and strategically implement an onboarding program that supports new employees from acceptance of their employment offer through their full integration into the early learning program. (2 hours)

How can early learning professionals extend and continue their online professional development learning? As use of online learning for professional development training and course work increases, there is a need to carefully cultivate and maximize best practices to support online learning. This module explores intentional, effective, and research-informed strategies to maximize online learning experiences for early learning and school-age professionals. (2 hours)

Oral health is an important part of a child’s overall health, and dental care should begin early. Tooth decay is a preventable disease of children and adults that can have negative effects on lifelong health. Early care and education professionals can play an important role with children and families toward establishing good oral health habits for young children and maintaining healthy teeth. (2 hours)

The Out-of-School Nutrition and Physical Activity (OSNAP) initiative, developed by researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, is an evidence-based program to support after school and other out-of-school-time programs to offer healthy foods and beverages, and opportunities for children to be more active. (7 hours)

In this course, newly hired operators or employees will learn essential health and safety regulatory requirements for child care centers or group homes. They will receive support to establish appropriate routines that provide safe, healthy environments where children of all ages thrive. Through embedded activities, they will discuss protocols with a supervisor and/or co-workers so that together they will make sure all requirements are covered and programs are in compliance. ( 3 hours)

Family child care (FCC) professionals provide essential services to their local community. It is essential that the care they provide is done in accordance with Pennsylvania Code. This course presents information so that FCC professionals can learn to set up their business practices, physical space, and learning and caregiving routines in full compliance with health and safety regulations. This sets them up for success in business and offers positive outcomes for the children in their care. (3 hours)

Excellent health and safety practices are an essential component of high-quality childcare centers and group child care (GCC) homes. These practices are also often the law. For children of all ages to have a nurturing, engaging, healthy experience, many things need to happen—things that new employees need to know in order to be confident in their work. (3 hours)

It is essential that Family Child Care (FCC) professionals provide care in accordance with Pennsylvania Code. This course provides information to help FCC professionals put health and safety policies and practices in place, so that they are ready to offer high-quality care right from the start. Instructions for creating safe, healthy indoor and outdoor spaces, transporting children, and handling illnesses and administering medications are included. Standard precautions and developmentally appropriate practices are outlined, including appropriate ways to support toilet learning. (3 hours)

Type 1 diabetes is a metabolic disorder that affects every aspect of life. Managing Type 1 diabetes is physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging for children and youth. Adults in group settings can provide needed support by teaching children and youth without Type 1 diabetes to become peer allies. (2 hours)

Physical activity is as important for the growth and development of young children as is the establishment of healthy eating habits. Successful introduction of movement to children requires well-organized, fun, inclusive activities that have clear instructions and planned transitions. This module prepares the early care and education professional to plan and implement physical activities with young children and includes a wealth of practical, low cost, and easy-to-implement activities. (2 hours)

One of the most rewarding nurturing experiences for families and caregivers is to satisfy children’s hunger for food. When children display eating behaviors that adults perceive as “picky” or “fussy,” mealtimes fill adults with anxiety and stress. This module explores ways to incorporate responsive feeding techniques beginning in infancy to develop healthy eating behaviors in children who may experience sensory issues and neophobia with food. (2 hours)

High quality care and learning for young children includes a well-ordered and predictable daily experience where children can feel confident and secure. This lesson explores why structure and flexibility are important in early learning environments, how to create a daily schedule that meets young children’s needs, and how to plan child-centered learning opportunities. (2 hours)

Front-line staff in school-age programs implement practices that can build a community atmosphere that encourages positive peer interactions and discourages bullying. Front-line staff create positive relationships with youth while teaching friendship, assertiveness, and conflict resolution skills. Front-line and administrative staff work together to establish clear behavior guidelines, create consistent consequences, and implement reporting and follow-through. They keep families informed and invite feedback and suggestions. (2 hours)

Administrators of school-age programs can build a community atmosphere that encourages positive peer interactions and discourages bullying. Administrators forge relationships with staff that model mutual respect. They provide vision for the long-term goal. They lead a collaborative effort to identify behavior guidelines, determine consequences, and implement consistent behavior policies. They encourage open communication and invite constructive feedback. They review and evaluate results. (2 hours)

Are you thriving or surviving in the work environment? Positive work climate sets the tone for respectful and collaborative relationships, fosters a sense of belonging, and supports healthy program environments. It increases commitment and motivation and reinforces learning for both students and professionals. Explore research-informed strategies that can be applied by educators and leaders to improve program climate, increase job satisfaction, and reduce workplace stress. (3 hours)

Positive youth development – this should be the goal of every interaction with youth in after-school programs. But what is “positive youth development”? What are the indicators of a quality youth development program? What competencies are important for adults working with youth to have or develop? This distance education lesson focuses on the features of after-school/youth development programs that promote positive development in the youth they serve. (2 hours)

After school practitioners can build strong relationships with youth as they model inclusion and provide an emotionally and physically safe environment. Belonging is a critical element of quality youth development programs. Youth need to know that they are cared for, have a sense of connection to others, and that their environment is safe. This lesson focuses on how school age practitioners can create a culture of belonging for youth, families and staff in their programs. (2 hours)

A lo largo de un día de cuidado y educación temprana (ECE) del profesional, hay una corriente constante de actividad. Se da atención a guiar a los niños a medida que aprenden, manejan el ambiente y manejan el estrés diario. (2 horas)

Families are essential partners in their children’s preschool experience. Positive home and school connections support children's learning and development. This lesson describes the developmental stages of families and how those stages coincide with children’s development. Learn how to build relationships and create partnerships with families, and ways to assess current practices in partnering with families to improve the quality of care for preschoolers. (2 hours)

Children’s experiences matter. To promote healthy development and learning, preschoolers need access to environments and routines that are interesting, appropriate, and supportive to each child. Learn ways to create and manage effective environments and routines that work for young children. Access assessment activities to review and build on the quality of care for preschoolers. (2 hours)

Every interaction preschool professionals have with children—what they say, do, the ways they guide behaviors, and how they present themselves—has the potential to influence what and how children learn. This lesson explores developmentally-informed practices to support quality interactions and behavioral guidance with young children. Access assessment activities to review and build on the quality of care for preschoolers. (2 hours)

Observation, documentation, and assessment are fundamental tools used to carefully monitor a child’s development. The overall purpose is to help early care and education professionals decide how to support each child's development. Learn about observation, documentation, and assessment to help identify and support children’s interests, developmental ability, and progress. Use assessment activities to review and build on quality care for preschoolers. (2 hours)

Children’s physical and cognitive growth requires an understanding of child development and instructional practices that support children’s overall healthy development. Learn best practices for preschool professionals to create foundational experiences, environments, and interactions that support the development of physical and cognitive development in preschoolers. Review and build current practices with assessment activities to improve quality care for preschoolers. (2 hours)

Teachers support children’s emotional development by helping and guiding them as children learn about how to talk about their feelings and manage their emotions. This module focuses on how teachers can support preschoolers' emotional understanding and problem solving skills. The module reviews ideas and strategies that help children talk about their feelings, understand other’s feelings, and manage strong emotions. (2 hours)

When children are expelled or suspended from schools and care programs, their system of support and learning is drastically reduced, and in some instances, halted. Non-inclusionary discipline practices such as expulsion and suspension deprive children of valuable education and care opportunities. This module takes a comprehensive look at the factors that contribute to the use of expulsion and suspension. Furthermore, it emphasizes alternative approaches and multifaceted best practices that show promise in both reducing and eliminating expulsion and suspension. (3 hours)

Cascading societal issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic, have changed the daily lives of educators, bringing new challenges and heightened emotions. This course focuses on strategies educators and programs can use to create a culture of caring that prioritizes relationships and collectively supports mental health and emotional well-being. This course also offers information on initiating a tiered approach to well-being that encourages educators and programs to plan for mental and emotional health promotion, prevention, and intervention. (2 hours)

Los problemas sociales en cascada, incluida la pandemia de COVID-19, han cambiado la vida cotidiana de los educadores, lo que ha traído nuevos desafíos y emociones exacerbadas. Este curso se centra en las estrategias que los educadores y los programas pueden usar para crear una cultura de cuidado que priorice las relaciones y apoye colectivamente la salud mental y el bienestar emocional. Este curso también ofrece información sobre cómo comenzar un enfoque escalonado para el bienestar que alienta a los educadores y programas a planificar la promoción, prevención e intervención de la salud mental y emocional. (2 horas)

This lesson takes a step-by-step approach to helping children learn to solve their own problems. Topics include recognizing emotions, identifying methods for dealing with conflict, and techniques to use with children as they develop socially and emotionally. (2 hours)

The foundation for problem-solving is grounded in emotional regulation for both adults and children. The ability to recognize and regulate emotions is needed to solve complex problems and social conflicts. This course explores multiple approaches educators can use to help children become creative, collaborative, and effective problem-solvers. (2 hours)

Developing a professional philosophy statement helps to communicate your professional views and values toward early education, teaching, and learning. During your professional career this can be valuable, such as when applying for a position of work, applying for the CDA Credential or other academic positions. A professional philosophy statement can also serve as a tool in reaffirming what important professional roles and responsibilities you want to embrace in your teaching. (1 hour)

This series of modules on Positive Youth Development (PYD) presents you with knowledge and tools to successfully work with school-age children and youth ages 5 through 18. Because youth development professionals come from many backgrounds and work in a variety of settings, this first module is a good starting point in the PYD series, and focuses on basic information about child growth and development. (2 hours)

Adult leaders who work with children and youth ages 5-18 in OST settings need awareness for how culture might affect children’s development. Cultural factors include race/ethnicity, national origin, language, gender identity/sexual orientation, age, physical/developmental ability, family type, geographic area, religion, and socioeconomic status. Develop knowledge and skills to create an atmosphere that is welcoming, respectful, and promotes cultural competency for all. (2 hours)

In this lesson youth development professionals serving children from ages 5 through 18 will learn intentional communication techniques to use to create a welcoming and inclusive community of multi-age learners. Youth development professionals will also learn how to foster positive interactions among youth through teaching and practicing group limit setting, stress management, and conflict resolution skills. (2 hours)

In this lesson youth development professionals and volunteers who serve children and youth ages 5-18 in OST settings will learn the guidelines for safe operation of programs. They will analyze the key environmental hazards and how to prepare their sites for safety on a daily basis, as well as to prepare for emergencies. Finally, they plan to adopt routines and practices to support the physical and emotional health and wellness of all children and youth in their care. (2 hours)

Why is youth engagement a critical part of achieving PYD? In this module, youth development professionals and volunteers who serve children and youth ages 5-18 in OST settings will point to three components of youth engagement: youth voice, leadership opportunities, and youth-adult partnerships. They will learn how to build a program that authentically engages youth, and they will explore examples of successful youth engagement experiences. (2 hours)

This mastery module will enable current and aspiring administrators of children and youth ages 5-18 to explore the steps they need to take to incorporate a plan for child and youth observation and assessment into their ELO programs. This includes knowing what components to assess, understanding different types of assessments, and selecting and implementing appropriate assessment tools. Also included are ways to use the resulting data to adjust program offerings to ensure positive youth development. (2 hours)

Administrators of out-of-school and after school programs for children and youth ages 5-18 are responsible for creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere that embraces all families. Administrators work with staff to create the policies and practices that bring this vision into daily reality. They prioritize and work together with local schools to support the development of cognitive and social-emotional skills. Administrators also cultivate community partnerships to produce mutual benefits. (2 hours)

This mastery module is for current administrators, and those who want to advance into an administrative role, in extended learning programs serving 5- to 18-year-olds. Administrators will explore how to direct their staff to create informal, high-quality learning environments using positive youth development principles. The module will also help program administrators guide and support staff to select and deliver age-appropriate curricula to meet the learning goals established by the program. (2 hours)

This mastery module is for current program administrators in out-of-school programs serving 5- to 18-year-olds, and for those who wish to advance into an administrative role. Administrators will explore how to model ethical standards of behavior; how to practice and train staff in continuous learning; how to identify potential staff leaders and provide leadership development opportunities; and how to advocate for resources to sustain high quality programs for children, youth, and families. (2 hours)

This mastery module is for current program directors or managers, and those who desire to advance into an administrative role in out-of-school time programs serving 5- to 18-year-olds. This module illustrates the range of responsibilities of program managers, including use of sound business practices; hiring and managing personnel; establishing positive relationships with families and communities; providing high quality programming; and ensuring efficient use of resources. (2 hours)

Financial literacy includes core competencies of how to communicate, make decisions, solve problems, manage resources, plan, and organize. After school programs can provide many opportunities for youth to learn and practice these core competencies. A degree in accounting or economics is not necessary for practitioners to provide activities and discuss financial topics. Many of the skills are already a part of common, daily activities in out-of-school time programs. (2 hours)

Financial literacy includes core competencies of how to communicate, make decisions, solve problems, manage resources, plan, and organize. After school programs can provide many opportunities for youth to learn and practice these core competencies. A degree in accounting or economics is not necessary for practitioners to provide activities and discuss financial topics. Many of the skills are already a part of common, daily activities in out-of-school time programs. (2 hours)

Prioritizing the mental and emotional health and wellness of early care and education (ECE) professionals requires recentering themselves in workforce well-being frameworks.

The REDI (Research-based, Developmentally Informed) Program is a preschool classroom curriculum program that combines social-emotional, and language and literacy curriculum components to support children's school readiness. The topics in this module include: an overview of the REDI Program, supporting social-emotional learning, promoting language skills and reading readiness, and teaching the first REDI lessons. (2 hours)

The REDI (Research-based, Developmentally Informed) Program is a preschool classroom curriculum program that combines social-emotional, and language and literacy curriculum components to support children's school readiness. The topics in this module include: how emotions develop in early childhood, presenting the Preschool feeling lessons, talking about feelings in the classroom, and using interactive reading to build language skills. (2 hours)

The REDI (Research-based, Developmentally Informed) Program is a preschool classroom curriculum program that combines social-emotional, and language and literacy curriculum components to support children's school readiness. The topics in this module include: developing self-control, presenting the Turtle Technique, helping children use “Turtle” effectively, and discussing why things happen. (2 hours)

The REDI (Research-based, Developmentally Informed) Program is a preschool classroom curriculum program that combines social-emotional, and language and literacy curriculum components to support children's school readiness. The topics in this module include: nurturing a positive classroom climate, building children’s thinking skills, motivating children to do the right thing, and using problem-solving dialogue. (2 hours)

The best environments for children are those in which each child can SEE himself, his interests, his identity, and BE himself to express those interests, concerns, thoughts and emotions. For children from military families, that includes reflections of the military-connected knowledge and experiences that they bring to child care. Explore why and how early childhood professionals can intentionally and effectively respect and reflect children’s military-connectedness in their programs. (2 hours)

Deployment is a difficult time of separation for military families. A sudden and prolonged absence of a parent is very difficult for every family member. Upon the service member's return, the reintegration, or transition from battlefront to home, is a long, complex emotional process for children and parents. Although the majority of the adjustment will take place at home, there are several ways that child care providers can support both child and parent as the get to know one another again. (2 hours)

Los profesionales de cuidado infantil familiar (FCC) brindan servicios esenciales a su comunidad local. Es esencial que la atención que brindan se realice de acuerdo con el Código de Pennsylvania. Este curso presenta información para que los profesionales de FCC puedan aprender a configurar sus prácticas comerciales, el espacio físico y las rutinas de aprendizaje y cuidado en pleno cumplimiento de las normas de salud y seguridad. Esto los prepara para el éxito en los negocios y ofrece resultados positivos para los niños a su cargo. (3 horas)

En este curso, los operadores o empleados recién contratados aprenderán los requisitos reglamentarios esenciales de salud y seguridad para centros de cuidado infantil o hogares grupales. Recibirán apoyo para establecer rutinas adecuadas que proporcionen entornos seguros y saludables donde los niños de todas las edades prosperen. A través de actividades integradas, discutirán los protocolos con un supervisor y/o compañeros de trabajo para que juntos se aseguren estén cubiertos y los programas estén en regla. (3 horas)

Las prácticas de salud y seguridad excelentes son un componente esencial de los centros de cuidado infantil y los hogares de cuidado infantil grupal (GCC) de alta calidad. Estas prácticas también suelen ser obligatorias. Para que los niños de todas las edades tengan una experiencia enriquecedora, atractiva y saludable, deben suceder muchas cosas, cosas que los nuevos empleados deben saber para sentirse seguros en su trabajo. (3 horas)

Es esencial que los profesionales de cuidado infantil familiar (FCC) brinden atención de acuerdo con el Código de Pennsylvania. Este curso proporciona información para ayudar a los profesionales de la FCC a implementar políticas y prácticas de salud y seguridad, para que estén listos para ofrecer atención de alta calidad desde el principio. Se incluyen instrucciones para crear espacios interiores y exteriores seguros y saludables, transportar niños, manejar enfermedades y administrar medicamentos. Se describen las precauciones estándar y las prácticas apropiadas para el desarrollo, incluidas las formas apropiadas de apoyar el aprendizaje del uso del baño. (3 horas)

Feeling stressed at work? Learn about how to deal with and “bounce back” from stress. Bouncing back is sometimes called resiliency. Everyone needs to find ways to bounce back after experiencing stress. This is very important with the demanding job of caring for children every day. Learn more about stress and resiliency, and identify your own strengths and ability to deal with or avoid stress. (2 hours)

This module focuses on understanding social-emotional development and the importance of relationships. Explore how social-emotional skills develop and strategies to support its growth. This module introduces evidence-based practices for use with infants and toddlers suggested by the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for of Early Learning (CSEFEL). (2 hours)

This lesson focuses on forming and sustaining relationships with children and families. Relationships play a critical role in social-emotional development beginning in infancy. You will consider ways to build positive, nurturing, responsive and dependable relationships with the young children in your care. This module introduces evidence-based practices for use with infants and toddlers suggested by the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for of Early Learning (CSEFEL). (2 hours)

Supporting children’s social and emotional development is key to school readiness and overall healthy growth and development. This lesson introduces evidence-based emotional literacy practices for use with infants and toddlers suggested by the Pyramid Model and resources from the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL). (2 hours)

Supporting children’s social and emotional development is key to school readiness and overall healthy growth and development. This lesson introduces evidence-based emotional literacy practices for use with preschoolers suggested by the Pyramid Model and resources from the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL). (2 hours)

Providing high quality sleep environments and understanding Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths (SUID) are an essential part of a child care provider’s job. There are about 4,000 sudden and unexpected deaths (SUID) in the United States each year. More than half of these deaths are caused by a commonly know type of SUID called SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. This lesson focuses on defining SUID and identifying behaviors that affect and reduce the risk of sleep-related SUID. (1 hour)

La salud bucal es una parte importante de la salud general del niño, y el cuidado dental debe comenzar temprano. (2 horas)

What does the term “school readiness” mean or not mean for young children? Early care and education professionals can support young children’s development and learning from infancy through preschool age to give children a strong foundation for success as they enter kindergarten. (2 hours)

This module provides information about the unique aspects of supervising, creating emotionally and physically healthy spaces, and carrying out care routines in a licensed school-age setting. Learning about out-of-school time best practices will allow each professional to provide the best possible care for school-age children, meeting their unique development needs. (3 hours)

In this course, learn how to make school-age learning spaces work well. Review quality space criteria. Reflect on and analyze current OST space and offerings. Gain confidence to design spaces, different from school, that are flexible and reflect the youth’s voice, spaces that appeal to a diverse range of youth, spaces that spark interest and invite engagement. Adjust environmental elements to accommodate youth with a range of sensitivities. (2 hours)

School-age professionals influence children through the relationships they develop and the experiences they provide. Learn to create a menu of learning possibilities that is different from school and reflects the youth’s voice. Explore strategies to scaffold for a wide range of participants. Reflect on the quality criteria and compare those indicators to the experiences you offer. Take away vetted ideas, meaningful curriculum options to enhance your OST school-year programming plan. (2 hours)

Accentuate the positive. This lesson shares best practices for building community and supporting youth development. The emphasis is on social-emotional development but all areas of development are positively impacted when adults engage with youth in supportive ways. Get tools to support intentional listening, conflict resolution, and positive guidance. It is not enough to know a child well. School-age professionals need to use that knowledge to form effective interactions and connections. (2 hours)

Explore the merits of continuous quality improvement (CQI) and lifelong learning. Name a variety of out-of-school time (OST) program and youth assessments. Reflect on your own OST program components using online tools. Investigate site-specific quality expectations. Identify areas for action toward greater quality or a next step in professional learning. (2 hours)

This lesson explores a number of concerns in working with young children, including sharing, tantrums, biting, waiting, making transitions, picky eaters, and others. Each concern is presented from both the child’s and adult’s perspective, taking into consideration what is developmentally appropriate for the children involved. Hearing the child’s perspective may help caregivers evaluate and gain valuable insight into what it feels like to be a child, and to find solutions that work for the children in care. (2 hours)

Caring for children who have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can be an intense and exhausting experience for ECE professionals. Whether you may be working to resolve your own childhood trauma or may be experiencing secondary trauma as a result of the demands of care for children who are impacted by ACEs, it is essential to develop a self-care toolkit to support your own wellbeing and to provide the best care possible. This module focuses on practical strategies for self-care to prevent compassion fatigue and reduce stress levels associated with caring for children with ACEs. (2 hours)

This lesson explores service learning for school age children and youth. Learn what service learning is and how it differs from community service. How can you implement service learning in your school age environment? Discover a variety of usable ideas for service learning activities to use with the children and youth in your care. (2 hours)

Los servicios basados en la comunidad proporcionan a las familias y a los niños los recursos e información necesarios. (2 horas)

This lesson gives ideas for providing nutritional snacks for children in care. Learn how snack time can be more than just a time to fill empty stomachs. It's a chance to sample healthy foods and learn new concepts such as measuring, counting, the scientific process, food safety, and more! (2 hours)

A positive classroom climate, grounded in social-emotional learning (SEL) practices, supports an affirming and equitable environment that nurtures children's growth and development. Strong teacher-child relationships grounded in SEL practices contribute to and promote a safe, belonging, inclusive, and identity-affirming community for children. Educators who strengthen their SEL skills and understanding are better able to support a positive classroom climate and community.

Social-emotional learning offers a platform for growing equitable educational communities with children and families. ECE professionals who value diversity, inclusion, elevated voice, and who enhance their own practice build more equitable classroom cultures. Through a continuous process of meaningful self-reflection and engagement, ECE professionals support a foundation for equitable practice related to access of opportunity, resources, and enhanced relationships with children and families. (4 hours)

This course, for directors, presents best practices and processes involved in crafting equitable program policy from a social-emotional learning (SEL) foundation. Building strong policy and practice starts with developing relationships and teamwork, actively listening to others, and growing one’s knowledge. Educators, families, and community partners are integral voices in the development of policy and practice grounded in equity. (2 hours)