Conference Presentations by Diane Goyette
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l travel nationwide to present keynote addresses and breakout sessions at local, state, national and international conferences.
I have presented keynotes at the Clear Creek Independent School District Annual Early Spring Conference and the Annual Early Childhood Mini-Conference in Brownsville, Texas. I have presented breakout sessions at many local conferences, the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children, and the following national and international conferences:
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KEYNOTES
Be an All-Star Teacher: Do DAP!
Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) means meeting children where they are and helping them reach challenging and achievable goals. DAP is “best practice” for teaching young children, focusing on how children learn, promoting the development of the whole child, and considering sound child development principles. Whew! No wonder that when you effectively use DAP, you are a star! In this session, hear guidelines about the 5 aspects of DAP and learn how to make good teaching decisions in each area. You will leave better prepared to provide what your children need most to grow and learn – and to be a star!
Building Young Children’s Brains: Connecting Is the Key!
Relationships between children and their adult caregivers build children’s brains, affecting learning, behavior and health – for their lifetimes. “Serve and return” interactions beginning in infancy build a strong foundation for brain development, and connecting is the first step to take when guiding children’s behavior. Explore a model of the brain that’s right in the palm of your hand, and discover what happens in the brain when children “flip their lids”. Learn strategies for connecting with your children, even when they are distressed. Leave ready to connect with children and build their brains!
The Key to Handling Tantrums and Meltdowns: What Children Really Need from Us
When children experience an emotional meltdown, their behavior is telling us they need our help handling the situation. The most important thing we can do is to remain calm ourselves, which is of course much easier said than done! In this session you will learn helpful strategies for keeping your cool, and explore how to provide three other things children really need from us during a meltdown. You’ll also discover what they don’t need in the moment of a meltdown and why. Leave with the knowledge and strategies to handle future meltdowns with confidence and skill.
Play is Powerful - Put More in your Day!
Description: The best learning happens through play, and play provides teachers with the best opportunities to learn about children through observation. Of course, play is fun for all of us, too! Such is the power of play: It is beneficial for the children and for us, for learning and for fun. In this session, you will hear about the importance of play, identify which types of play have the most benefit for your children, and gain tips for being a good observer. Learn how you can put more play in every part of your daily schedule, and you will leave ready to help all your days become more powerful times of learning and fun!
Working with Active Young Children: Handling Their Challenging Behaviors!
Children behave and “misbehave” for many reasons. Come find out why children behave the way they do. Learn a process that will help you to determine the purpose of their behavior and, most importantly, to prevent and respond to challenging “misbehavior” in the classroom.
I can develop keynote addresses on other topics as well. Please see the list of breakout sessions below and the Training & Professional Development page for some of the additional topics I can address.
My talks are informational, motivational and inspirational, and will be customized to meet the specific needs of your conference. They may also be geared specifically for Christian preschool programs.
Contact ECS to schedule a conference keynote.
I would be delighted to customize one of the above presentations or to develop another one especially for you!
Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) means meeting children where they are and helping them reach challenging and achievable goals. DAP is “best practice” for teaching young children, focusing on how children learn, promoting the development of the whole child, and considering sound child development principles. Whew! No wonder that when you effectively use DAP, you are a star! In this session, hear guidelines about the 5 aspects of DAP and learn how to make good teaching decisions in each area. You will leave better prepared to provide what your children need most to grow and learn – and to be a star!
Building Young Children’s Brains: Connecting Is the Key!
Relationships between children and their adult caregivers build children’s brains, affecting learning, behavior and health – for their lifetimes. “Serve and return” interactions beginning in infancy build a strong foundation for brain development, and connecting is the first step to take when guiding children’s behavior. Explore a model of the brain that’s right in the palm of your hand, and discover what happens in the brain when children “flip their lids”. Learn strategies for connecting with your children, even when they are distressed. Leave ready to connect with children and build their brains!
The Key to Handling Tantrums and Meltdowns: What Children Really Need from Us
When children experience an emotional meltdown, their behavior is telling us they need our help handling the situation. The most important thing we can do is to remain calm ourselves, which is of course much easier said than done! In this session you will learn helpful strategies for keeping your cool, and explore how to provide three other things children really need from us during a meltdown. You’ll also discover what they don’t need in the moment of a meltdown and why. Leave with the knowledge and strategies to handle future meltdowns with confidence and skill.
Play is Powerful - Put More in your Day!
Description: The best learning happens through play, and play provides teachers with the best opportunities to learn about children through observation. Of course, play is fun for all of us, too! Such is the power of play: It is beneficial for the children and for us, for learning and for fun. In this session, you will hear about the importance of play, identify which types of play have the most benefit for your children, and gain tips for being a good observer. Learn how you can put more play in every part of your daily schedule, and you will leave ready to help all your days become more powerful times of learning and fun!
Working with Active Young Children: Handling Their Challenging Behaviors!
Children behave and “misbehave” for many reasons. Come find out why children behave the way they do. Learn a process that will help you to determine the purpose of their behavior and, most importantly, to prevent and respond to challenging “misbehavior” in the classroom.
I can develop keynote addresses on other topics as well. Please see the list of breakout sessions below and the Training & Professional Development page for some of the additional topics I can address.
My talks are informational, motivational and inspirational, and will be customized to meet the specific needs of your conference. They may also be geared specifically for Christian preschool programs.
Contact ECS to schedule a conference keynote.
I would be delighted to customize one of the above presentations or to develop another one especially for you!
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
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Below are some of the topics that I can present during conference breakout sessions. I always update and customize them to meet the needs of your conference attendees.
I specialize in being upbeat and motivational! I want participants to have fun; more importantly, I want them to be motivated to immediately implement what they've learned. If they do, I will have helped them to improve the quality of care for their young children, which is the mission of ECS. |
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Sessions for Teachers
Social-Emotional Development & Related Topics:
Preschoolers’ Social Skills – They Should Know Better, Shouldn't They?!
Preschoolers say they know not to behave badly, but sometimes they do. Using social skills also requires knowing what to do instead and doing it at the appropriate time. This takes our guidance and lots of time. In this session, you will identify age-appropriate social skills and learn many strategies to enhance them. Be ready to provide many opportunities for children to practice, and they will get better!
Preventing Tantrums & Meltdowns: Building Children’s Emotional Regulation Skills
After the moment of a meltdown, what can you do to lessen the likelihood of the next one? Teach children emotional regulation skills so they can better cope with the next stressful event. In this session you will learn about the self-regulation process and the skills involved. Learn guidance and interaction strategies that support emotional regulation, and participate in games that you can play with children to help them develop different emotional regulation skills. With all these tools to use in your classroom, tantrums may soon become a thing of the past!
Sensory Soothers for Strong, Scary Feelings
Some children experience sensory overload which contributes to meltdowns and other challenging behaviors. Explore many practical strategies for helping children soothe each of their 8 – yes, 8! - senses. Meet “eepworms” and discover how this fidget toy can become a soothing tool, and get ideas for supporting children as they learn to cope with their most stressful emotions. You may also come away with strategies that ease your stress as well!
Teaching Social Emotional Skills in Preschool
The first job of early childhood educators is to help children establish the social and emotional foundations necessary for learning. Participants will learn how to help children begin to develop self- awareness and self-control. They will learn how to help children get along with peers and problem-solve. They will come away with practical strategies and specific things to say to help their children develop socially and emotionally.
ant and toddler caregivers’ jobs.
Preschoolers say they know not to behave badly, but sometimes they do. Using social skills also requires knowing what to do instead and doing it at the appropriate time. This takes our guidance and lots of time. In this session, you will identify age-appropriate social skills and learn many strategies to enhance them. Be ready to provide many opportunities for children to practice, and they will get better!
Preventing Tantrums & Meltdowns: Building Children’s Emotional Regulation Skills
After the moment of a meltdown, what can you do to lessen the likelihood of the next one? Teach children emotional regulation skills so they can better cope with the next stressful event. In this session you will learn about the self-regulation process and the skills involved. Learn guidance and interaction strategies that support emotional regulation, and participate in games that you can play with children to help them develop different emotional regulation skills. With all these tools to use in your classroom, tantrums may soon become a thing of the past!
Sensory Soothers for Strong, Scary Feelings
Some children experience sensory overload which contributes to meltdowns and other challenging behaviors. Explore many practical strategies for helping children soothe each of their 8 – yes, 8! - senses. Meet “eepworms” and discover how this fidget toy can become a soothing tool, and get ideas for supporting children as they learn to cope with their most stressful emotions. You may also come away with strategies that ease your stress as well!
Teaching Social Emotional Skills in Preschool
The first job of early childhood educators is to help children establish the social and emotional foundations necessary for learning. Participants will learn how to help children begin to develop self- awareness and self-control. They will learn how to help children get along with peers and problem-solve. They will come away with practical strategies and specific things to say to help their children develop socially and emotionally.
ant and toddler caregivers’ jobs.
Adult-Child Relationships
The Baby Dance 1: Enhancing Attachment Relationships with Infants & Toddlers
Warm, caring relationships between adults and children are the foundation for children’s healthy development, behavior and health. Participants will learn how to evaluate their relationships. They will learn strategies to strengthen their relationships with every child in their care, which will benefit not only the children but themselves as well!
The Baby Dance 2: Connecting Games to Play with Infants & Toddlers
Building strong relationships between adults and children is the most important part of infant and toddler caregivers’ jobs. Participants will come away with at least 25 ideas for songs and games to help them connect with their young children.
Connecting Games to Play with Preschoolers
Warm, caring relationships between adults and children are the foundation for children’s development, and connecting activities help to create and maintain these relationships. Participants will play at least 25 games that help them connect with preschool-age children.
Warm, caring relationships between adults and children are the foundation for children’s healthy development, behavior and health. Participants will learn how to evaluate their relationships. They will learn strategies to strengthen their relationships with every child in their care, which will benefit not only the children but themselves as well!
The Baby Dance 2: Connecting Games to Play with Infants & Toddlers
Building strong relationships between adults and children is the most important part of infant and toddler caregivers’ jobs. Participants will come away with at least 25 ideas for songs and games to help them connect with their young children.
Connecting Games to Play with Preschoolers
Warm, caring relationships between adults and children are the foundation for children’s development, and connecting activities help to create and maintain these relationships. Participants will play at least 25 games that help them connect with preschool-age children.
Guidance
Tried and True Positive Guidance Strategies that Work
This session will cover the 15 “Guides to Speech and Action” that have been used successfully for decades and are still relevant today. Participants will come away with proven strategies that will promote positive child behaviors and reduce challenging ones.
This session will cover the 15 “Guides to Speech and Action” that have been used successfully for decades and are still relevant today. Participants will come away with proven strategies that will promote positive child behaviors and reduce challenging ones.
Handling Challenging Behaviors
Calming your Classroom: Helping the Explosive Child Cope
Sometimes a child tends to react in extreme ways to certain situations. These very challenging behaviors can feel like explosions because they happen so quickly and are so powerful. The child’s behavior is telling adults that he or she does not have the skills to handle the situation appropriately. Teachers can work with this child to solve the underlying problem and help him or her to learn new skills. They will learn strategies to help the child cope with the stressful situations, and leave ready to apply them to make their classrooms calmer places.
Challenging Behaviors: What Do They Mean for Children and How Can We Stop Them?
Challenging behaviors often happen because they work for children. A behavior support plan (BSP) is an effective tool for stopping these behaviors. Participants will learn how to determine the function of the behavior and how to prevent the behavior. They will explore teaching replacement skills and responding in new ways to the challenging behavior. They will leave ready to use a BSP for children with challenging behaviors in their classrooms.
Sometimes a child tends to react in extreme ways to certain situations. These very challenging behaviors can feel like explosions because they happen so quickly and are so powerful. The child’s behavior is telling adults that he or she does not have the skills to handle the situation appropriately. Teachers can work with this child to solve the underlying problem and help him or her to learn new skills. They will learn strategies to help the child cope with the stressful situations, and leave ready to apply them to make their classrooms calmer places.
Challenging Behaviors: What Do They Mean for Children and How Can We Stop Them?
Challenging behaviors often happen because they work for children. A behavior support plan (BSP) is an effective tool for stopping these behaviors. Participants will learn how to determine the function of the behavior and how to prevent the behavior. They will explore teaching replacement skills and responding in new ways to the challenging behavior. They will leave ready to use a BSP for children with challenging behaviors in their classrooms.
The Importance of Play
Put more Play in your Day, for Yourself as Well as the Children!
Play is the optimal means for supporting children’s learning and development, and it is good for adults, too! Participants will learn about the benefits of playfulness for adults and identify the different adult play personalities. When they can foster playfulness in themselves at work, they will have much more fun every day – and so will the children!
Play is the optimal means for supporting children’s learning and development, and it is good for adults, too! Participants will learn about the benefits of playfulness for adults and identify the different adult play personalities. When they can foster playfulness in themselves at work, they will have much more fun every day – and so will the children!
Children with Special Needs
Supporting Children with ADHD in the Classroom
This session will familiarize participants with 3 major difficulties affecting children with ADHD. They will learn ways to help these children better cope with these challenging areas and build their executive functioning skills. The new knowledge and intervention strategies learned will help to improve teacher's attitudes, accommodation practices, and behavior management skills. They will be ready to better support not only the children with ADHD but also many of the other children in their classrooms!
Supporting Children with Autism in the Classroom
This session will teach participants about the 3 main deficits in social functioning that affect children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. They will learn ways to accommodate these children in their classrooms using tools such as visual supports and systematic instruction. They will gain new understanding and practice proven strategies that support these children in the classroom. They will hear about valuable resources and leave ready to better support children with autism and their families.
Supporting Children with Sensory Processing Issues in the Classroom
Some children experience problems in taking in information from their senses, which can cause the children much stress and discomfort. Participants will learn about these sensory problems and how to accommodate these children. They will explore many simple strategies for helping children cope, whether they are with overly sensitive, under sensitive or have other issues related to sensory processing. Participants may leave with a new understanding of how sensory processing affects not only children experiencing problems but other children and adults, too.
This session will familiarize participants with 3 major difficulties affecting children with ADHD. They will learn ways to help these children better cope with these challenging areas and build their executive functioning skills. The new knowledge and intervention strategies learned will help to improve teacher's attitudes, accommodation practices, and behavior management skills. They will be ready to better support not only the children with ADHD but also many of the other children in their classrooms!
Supporting Children with Autism in the Classroom
This session will teach participants about the 3 main deficits in social functioning that affect children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. They will learn ways to accommodate these children in their classrooms using tools such as visual supports and systematic instruction. They will gain new understanding and practice proven strategies that support these children in the classroom. They will hear about valuable resources and leave ready to better support children with autism and their families.
Supporting Children with Sensory Processing Issues in the Classroom
Some children experience problems in taking in information from their senses, which can cause the children much stress and discomfort. Participants will learn about these sensory problems and how to accommodate these children. They will explore many simple strategies for helping children cope, whether they are with overly sensitive, under sensitive or have other issues related to sensory processing. Participants may leave with a new understanding of how sensory processing affects not only children experiencing problems but other children and adults, too.
Other Topics:
Curriculum Areas
Art – It’s the Process, Not the Product
The most valuable art experiences for young children are those that allow them to explore art media and to express themselves, without the teacher having a finished product in mind. Participants will learn about the importance of open-ended art and learn strategies for guiding children’s art and talking with them about their art. They will gather many ideas for an inviting environment for art expression, and leave ready to enjoy watching their children’s artistry blossom and bloom!
Fostering Language & Literacy for Infants & Toddlers through Play
Play is the best way for children to learn and develop, including in language and literacy. Participants will learn over 15 games and playful experiences that help children develop language and learn literacy skills, and they will have fun doing it!
Put More Music into Every Day!
Children love music! But what types of music experiences should caregivers provide for them every day? Participants will learn the 5 essential music experiences and practice at least 5 activities for each. They will be ready to bring more varied music activities into their classrooms.
10 Ways to Support Language and Literacy for Infants & Toddlers
Participants will learn ways to implement 10 effective strategies that foster language development and promote emergent literacy. They will leave ready to more effectively help children develop language and learn literacy skills!
The most valuable art experiences for young children are those that allow them to explore art media and to express themselves, without the teacher having a finished product in mind. Participants will learn about the importance of open-ended art and learn strategies for guiding children’s art and talking with them about their art. They will gather many ideas for an inviting environment for art expression, and leave ready to enjoy watching their children’s artistry blossom and bloom!
Fostering Language & Literacy for Infants & Toddlers through Play
Play is the best way for children to learn and develop, including in language and literacy. Participants will learn over 15 games and playful experiences that help children develop language and learn literacy skills, and they will have fun doing it!
Put More Music into Every Day!
Children love music! But what types of music experiences should caregivers provide for them every day? Participants will learn the 5 essential music experiences and practice at least 5 activities for each. They will be ready to bring more varied music activities into their classrooms.
10 Ways to Support Language and Literacy for Infants & Toddlers
Participants will learn ways to implement 10 effective strategies that foster language development and promote emergent literacy. They will leave ready to more effectively help children develop language and learn literacy skills!
Developmentally Appropriate Practice
Assessment – Don’t Get Anxious, Get Evidence!
Authentic assessment helps teachers get to know their children’s abilities and needs. The process may seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. All it involves is gathering evidence about children from different sources in different times and places, then organizing and interpreting the information. Participants will learn how to assess children and how to use the information effectively.
Do You Do DAP? Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Action
DAP means meeting children where they are and helping them reach challenging and achievable goals. Participants will identify the 5 aspects of good teaching, and explore examples of developmentally appropriate practices and activities for each. They will leave ready to provide what their children need most to grow and learn!
Authentic assessment helps teachers get to know their children’s abilities and needs. The process may seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. All it involves is gathering evidence about children from different sources in different times and places, then organizing and interpreting the information. Participants will learn how to assess children and how to use the information effectively.
Do You Do DAP? Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Action
DAP means meeting children where they are and helping them reach challenging and achievable goals. Participants will identify the 5 aspects of good teaching, and explore examples of developmentally appropriate practices and activities for each. They will leave ready to provide what their children need most to grow and learn!
Health & Safety
Get Them Moving! Activities for Physical Health and Learning
Music and movement activities are an enjoyable way for children to improve their physical health and development. They benefit children’s learning and behavior, too! Participants will try out at least 20 activities that they can bring back to the classroom. Then they will be ready to get themselves and the children moving!
Music and movement activities are an enjoyable way for children to improve their physical health and development. They benefit children’s learning and behavior, too! Participants will try out at least 20 activities that they can bring back to the classroom. Then they will be ready to get themselves and the children moving!
Learning Environments & Planning
Jazzing Up your Learning Centers
Participants will learn ways to jazz up their centers to make them “sing” with more appealing and appropriate activities. Through pictures and discussions, they will explore selecting and arranging enticing materials, providing interest areas in all domains every day, and effectively managing the centers. With this new knowledge they can help their classrooms come alive with beautiful harmonies of hands-on learning!
Lesson Plans as Teaching Tools
Planning is a necessary part of teaching, and it doesn’t have to be a chore! Participants will learn the role of planning, the parts of a lesson plan, and tips for planning effectively. They will come away with a lesson plan that will help them feel more confident in their next small or large group activity.
Participants will learn ways to jazz up their centers to make them “sing” with more appealing and appropriate activities. Through pictures and discussions, they will explore selecting and arranging enticing materials, providing interest areas in all domains every day, and effectively managing the centers. With this new knowledge they can help their classrooms come alive with beautiful harmonies of hands-on learning!
Lesson Plans as Teaching Tools
Planning is a necessary part of teaching, and it doesn’t have to be a chore! Participants will learn the role of planning, the parts of a lesson plan, and tips for planning effectively. They will come away with a lesson plan that will help them feel more confident in their next small or large group activity.
Working with Parents
Communicating with Parents of Children with Special Needs
Examine the perspectives of both providers and parents of children with special needs. Participants will identify common concerns that parents of children with special needs share, and learn strategies for delivering difficult messages and for responding to unpleasant messages. They will leave ready to communicate more effectively and to strengthen their relationships with these parents.
Examine the perspectives of both providers and parents of children with special needs. Participants will identify common concerns that parents of children with special needs share, and learn strategies for delivering difficult messages and for responding to unpleasant messages. They will leave ready to communicate more effectively and to strengthen their relationships with these parents.
Sessions for Administrators
Adding “Relationship Time” to your Program’s Curriculum
Most of the brain’s development happens within the first 5 years of life, and the most important influence on this development is the responsive relationship of a caring adult. When you build opportunities for building and maintaining adult-child relationships into your program, you are providing the best brain-building tool there is. Come away with strategies to make relationships your top priority.
Adults Need Play, Too! How Playfulness Benefits People and Programs
Play is the optimal means for supporting adults’ work, just as it is for supporting children’s development. This session addresses how adults and their workplace each benefit when adults play and are playful. Learn about the different play personalities and participate in fun, team-building activities for each one. Learn how to foster playfulness in your staff and yourself, and have fun doing it!
Ethical Dilemmas: Deciding What to Do When There Are Two “Rights”
Do you find it challenging to make ethical decisions or to teach ethics to your staff? In this session, you will examine common ethical dilemmas and be guided in your decision-making. You will leave better prepared to solve real-life ethical problems with both staff and families in your program.
Welcoming and Supporting Children with Challenging Behaviors
Administrators will learn about possible pathways to children’s challenging behaviors through personal stories and evidence from experts. They will be challenged to welcome these children into their programs and to commit to helping the children improve their behavior within the program, instead of removing them. With their support, their teachers can learn skills to build relationships and to prevent or handle the behaviors. The children and their families, their teachers and their programs can all benefit.
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Contact ECS to schedule a conference session today!
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